Try it! You just may like it!!

[Betty Hiner]

After how-many-I-don't-know rods that I've built, I finally tried applying the rod finish with a knitting needle! Once you get the hang of the flow of material off the end of the needle, it's slick as snot!! Don't know why I fought using one for so long!!

[MontanaMoose]

Betty, the wife has a number of knitting projects
in progress so I was wondering
which size knitting needles to sneak out
of the projects and also should I try to
slip something in their place like a pencil
or something?

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[Betty Hiner]

If you value your life, I wouldn't suggest taking a needle that is in use!! Maybe ask her if she's got an old needle just laying around, smaller is better than larger, plastic worked very well. (DO NOT take one made of rosewood or bamboo!!! To do so may cause her to find new uses for your bamboo rods!)

[MontanaMoose]

When I was sitting here typing the 'take the knitting needle from projects in progress' thang, I was
having a hard time not bustin' out laughin' and when my wife came over to talk about something I
thought surely she'd see the text and ask me 'what the...'

I hope you don't take offense at me asking you about the knitting needles as if I were seriously
thinking about doing something that would obviously be at the peril of my life Betty !

Oh so the rosewood and bamboo knitting needles are special? Hmm...I better see if I can
get the test wraps off them and back in the wife's knitting basket...is it easy to get U-40
and epoxy off bamboo and rosewood?

J/K !

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[Betty Hiner]

You are a hoot!!

[MontanaMoose]

Thanks Betty...

Since I've got a blank coming from H & H I'll definitely
be giving the knitting needle wrap finish method a try.
I'm even thinking about using a 'one part' wrap finish.
Maybe even varnish.

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[hackleman57]

Ralph Quinn, inventor of Trondak U-40 and other adhesives/finishes, uses a spatula. He kind of globs it on while turning at high speed (he uses a power wrapper). I've tried it and it's a lot of fun.

But most of us turn them slowly or by hand. Many, many people like the knitting needle and it is worth a try.

Ron

[pszy22]

After how-many-I-don't-know rods that I've built, I finally tried applying the rod finish with a knitting needle! Once you get the hang of the flow of material off the end of the needle, it's slick as snot!! Don't know why I fought using one for so long!!

I thought this was a great idea. Only problem, which knitting needles could I take without my wife realizing they were missing/gone. As it turns out, I took my wife out to dinner, there on the table was a pair of chop sticks. They were a fairly nicely done disposable pair. They worked great.

Thanks again for the suggestion,

[Colorado]

After how-many-I-don't-know rods that I've built, I finally tried applying the rod finish with a knitting needle! Once you get the hang of the flow of material off the end of the needle, it's slick as snot!! Don't know why I fought using one for so long!!

Betty,

Where can I learn about the mysterious technique you describe?

Thanks,

Dana

[skondolf]

Yes, could someone describe the technique in more detail? Why is a knitting needle or bodkin better when applying finish? I've wrapped 4-5 graphite rods and have just applied the finish with a brush while slowly turning the rod section by hand.

As I'm just starting my first bamboo refinish project and plan on using silk I'm curious why this procedure is so much better. I'm especially interested in applying the varnish with a bodkin - what makes it so special?

Does it allow you to "massage" the finish down INTO the thread better than just having it lay on the surface?