From Volume 5 - Issue #1 issue of RodMaker magazine:
As I think over the years which little hints or ideas help keep my rod
building a little more sane, one of the best tips for easy clean up
is the use of black electrician's tape. Specifically the commonly
available one with the slick surface and the other sticky side. When
wrapped around the ends of reel seats I find that upon drying the
simple removal of the tape will eliminate much of the use of solvent
for cleaning up after installation.
Simply clean near the edge of the handle parts not covered by tape
and let sit overnight. Next day just peel off the black tape and the
reel seat will remain free of adhesive. The thing is that most epoxy
or rod building adhesives won't stay on the slick (non-sticky) outside
of the black electrician's tape and removal of the tape afterwards
eliminates any use of cleaners or solvent to remove adhesives on
the reel seats. This is especially useful with graphite reel seats
and the time and difficulties in removing epoxy or adhesive from the
threaded ends.
You can apply the use of the black tape with butt caps or other
handle elements you may wish to keep clear of adhesives. It's
a good idea to check first if the sticky side of the tape
might react with some coating on some materials (I've seen
this with some "unconventional" butt caps.) With standard
graphite this should be no problem. Also, remove the tape
promptly when dry as it could be a clean up job at the reel
seat hoods from the sticky side of the electrician's tape
(but still can be easily removed with alcohol), if left
for a long time.
This idea of using black electrical tape may be old hat to
many of you long time rod builders. Yet I still hear of
many builders who are surprised and delighted when they find
out about tape's effectiveness in saving time and solvent
and the resulting look of a nice and clean transition of
the reel seat with the rest of the handle. It's cheap,
easy and works just great. Give it a try on your next rod.
~ Richard Barbowski
Publishers note:
If you have any tips or techniques, send them
along! Help out your fellow rodmakers!
~ Publisher, FAOL
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