Just wanted to know if anyone ou there can help me with some questions on bamboo.First of all how do I go about getting the tip off,whats a good varnish stripper to use,and also a good varnish.any comments are appreciated
Hey Truk,
To get the tip-top off the tip section (I’m assuming that’s what you ment) apply a little heat with a hair dryer. That should loosen the glue enough to allow it to be removed gently.
A lot of the folks refinishing old cane rods use 3M Safer Stripper. It’s a water based product and won’t damage the old hide glues that were used “back in the day”.
As far as varnish goes, there are a host of different formulas for mixing and thinning varnish. Kind of depends if you are using a dip tube, brush on or hand rubbing the varnish. There are a couple of posts about varnish further down trhe column that might interest you.
You also might check out Clarks Classic Cane board at [url=http://p205.ezboard.com/bclarksclassicflyrodforum:23740]http://p205.ezboard.com/bclarksclassicflyrodforum[/url:23740]
Hope this helps,
REE
Seth;
I used a flame to get one off. Too much heat. Glad it was aimed away from me!! REE is correct on the stripper and varnish applications.
I do a hand rub finish but if you want to brush it on use those cheap throw away foam brushes.
Tell us more about the rod if you can.
Hope to see it this August at the Fish-In if not before.
Not much is known about the rod,no name numbers or anything.It was one of my Grandfathers old rods,its still in really good condition,no cracks stress marks or anything.
Too moch heat (flame) might ‘shoot’ the tip off with some unexpected results. Also, too much can char the cane, not a good thing.