I viewed the Flex Coat rod building DVD, and they use guide foot adhesive to hold the guides in place before wrapping them. From the looks of it, the “adhesive” appears to be a hot glue stick of some sort. They heat the guide foot (indirectly) with a propane torch, wipe the guide foot lightly across the “adhesive” stick and place it on the blank. Anyone have any experience with this method of attachment? Seems to be a better way of holding the guide in place rather than tape, provided you get it right at the onset. They also claim this is better for the blank to have a “cushion” between the guide foot and the blank.
I have used it with single foot guides. After I mark out the spacing, I tape the guides in place, but the tape prevents alignment so I use what I call bungy thread (the stretch sewing thread) and make a couple turns with it around each guide foot and then remove the tape. I align as best I can and tip each foot back and dab a bit of the stuff on each foot. You can heat the foot or the stick. Then wrap. You can still make final alignment corrections later. It works for me. The problem with single foot guides is that they want to walk away from the guide wraps as you start “climbing” the foot. Neither tape or the bungy warps stop the slipping but the foot adhesive does. Maybe you can find a better way Allyn
I have only built 3 rods. The first was using Al Campbell’s instruction, using the elastic thread, The second rod I tried the gluestick. On the last rod I went back to the elastic thread.
I found that being able to adjust the guides before and after wrapping, with the elastic was a whole lot better for me.
I have heard that some use surgical tubing pieces.
As mentioned above, I would want the guide feet able to move before and after the wrap. I don’t remember where I learned it…maybe from Dale Clemens, but I use surgical tubing cut into thin ‘rubber band’ looking rings that I use to hold the guides in place. Once a guide foot is wrapped enough to hold it firmly in place, I carefully snip the ‘rubber band’ (on the foot side, not the blank side)and finish the wrap. Works like a charm and the guide can be adjusted throughout the process of wrapping.
That’s particularly important at the end of the wrapping process when checking overall guide alignment. Glued on guide feet might not allow them to be moved slightly as may become necessary to have really accurate guide alignment tip top to stripping guide. Ok, off the box I go. Next !
Thanks for the feedback. Watching the rod builder in the DVD place the guides on the rod was impressive. Of course, he was working on production rods in a six-rod fixture under excellent working conditions, and that’s what he does all day…build rods. I doubt he has to go back to make adjustments very often like hobby builders might be doing, so gluing the guides actually improves his overall productivity.
Joe,
When I’m building I usually use a little of the adhesive to set the general location of the guides. As I’m working it up, I’ll change it to either an elastic from the orthodontist, or an incredibly small piece of masking tape. I found, with the adhesive, I never could get the right amount, and it left a blob on the rod. If you go back to burn off fuzzies (who me?), it melts the adhesive through the thread wraps, and you get to start all over!
Betty
PS your finished rod looks wonderful! Wish my first one looked like that!!
I think Tony Spezio turned me onto these several years ago.
Just Google Orthodontic Elastics. The come in many sizes. I mostly use the 1/8 th inch jobs but can and do double larger sizes now and then. They are quite inexpensive.
These are far easier than cutting your own tubing and they are especially made for this type of holding.
Denny,
They’re even cheaper (for you) if you have a granddaughter going through orthodontic treatments!! You can get a life time supply for only a hug! If no members of the family with braces, check out the mouths of neighbor kids!
Betty
I’m going on a winter outing with a bunch of guys in a couple of weeks, and one of the guys in our group is an Othodontist. I think I just found my “no cost” supplier. BINGO!
Another vote here for the ortho rubber bands. With single ft guides I’ll place the band on the middle of the guide ft. This keeps the guide from rocking back as single ft guides have a tendency to do. 8)
