Roller Guide selection and Rod Finishing Questions

[fishdawg]

Hi,
First, I would like to thank all of you who post pictures, videos, and talk about rod construction techniques. It is incredibly helpful and there are some true artists at work.

I am in the process of building 2 - 50# standup rods and i am down to selecting the last components, roller guides. I have always used the Aftco HD Roller Guides but thought it might be worth trying the All American roller guides. Are there any benifits to these guides over the Aftco HD? Price is a concern. The blanks I am using are Calstar GF755H. Butts are the Aftco #2 short Storabutt with a EVA foregrip.

My second question is regarding rod finish. I watched the video by Gradywhite273 the other day on leather grips and finish. He used a pour on method that I would like to try. How many of you use this technique for putting on your finish? Is it better or easier than brushing? Is there anything particular to watch out for.

Finally my last question is about limiting epoxy creep up the guides when finishing. what techniques do people use to keep this from happening?

Pete

[paul708]

The AA guides are nice.
tight tolarances,
i have used mostly the Titanium frames and acid rollers... very nice.

Gradys finish video is nice, he had a good teacher

With finish the less you play with it, the better finish you get.

some guys use a credit card to apply.

it will flow and level by itself.
the less you "brush" the better it will be.

give it a try..

Its not rocket science.

[FLATLINER]

Pete,
Great questions. Here's my 2 cents. All American are overpriced for what you get. Winthrop tool rollers are better guides and not as expensive, especially given that they have the express version out now.

I have tried the pour it on method and didn't get the results. But, everything in this part of the process is experience and Grady is a master at this!!!

As for finish creep, the way that i do it is take something stiff and wipe the finish away from the guidefoot until to stops flowing up.

Hope this helps.

Kevin

[canyongear]

A comparison of guides prices might be well served to illustrate a point..just a thought

[paul708]

AA regular roller Black...appox..20-32ea

AFTCO W/O Black..appox.21-39

W/T.express..havent seen prices.

W/T excel appox 50-100

[FLATLINER]

Express retail for 35-60, but I don't sell them for that.