Whipping Fluff!

[Starvinmarvin]

I have finally finished whipping the guides onto my lads 2 weight. After 3 attempts, first I wasn't happy with some of the whippings, 2nd time, not happy with the suggested spacing, took the spacings from an Orvis rod and now it looks beautiful, just the whipping finish to do.

 

I need to defuzz the whippings, anyone suggest a good lighter to do this with or is there another way.

 

Desperate to finish it and have a cast.

 

Sportsman, I know it's taken toooooo long. Still have the 8 weight to build. Will be needing it soon.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

SM

[Sportsman]

Hi Starvin, nice to see your getting on with it. The advantage of doing your own is you can keep playing until your happy

Be careful at this stage as gas lighters can leave a sooty residue which you don't want!

Some folk use a spirit lamp which I dont have so I hold the lighter, with a decent flame, alongside the rod and a Cm or so away while I turn the rod. This way the flame never touches the whippings.

What varnish or epoxy are you thinking of using?

Good luck with it and enjoy

Dave

[Starvinmarvin]

Hi Dave,

 

Thanks for the pointer, would a petrol lighter be any better?

 

For finishing I have some FlexCoat High Build, came as part of the kit, it says one coat, but I hope to be able to give 2 or more thin coats to give less chance of any runs, I have a Stonefly fly dryer with rod holder attachment to help me keep thinks smooth and even.

 

It's getting towards the exciting stage so I need to take my time... well I've taken my time up till now so why hurry

 

Dave

[Sportsman]

Hi SM

I wouldn't use a petrol lighter, very sooty, use gas but make sure the flame doesn't touch the whipping and keep it moving. As you say, you are getting to the exciting bit, also the bit that will make or break the rod. When anyone picks it up the first thing he will notice is the finish on the whipping. I have never got on with flex coat high build but thousands of people use it with no problems so maybe its just me. I use Pro Gloss LS by Seymo and love it. The trick with the 2 pack finishes is making sure you have EXACT 1:1 proportions and that you mix THOROUGHLY. If you don't the damm stuff won't harden ( don't ask how I know ) If you do have a problem with tackiness this is almost certain to be the reason for it, easily cured by applying another coat of properly mixed epoxy..

Good luck with it, love to see how it turns out and fishes; once youve tried the 2 weight and landed a decent fish on it your lad is going to have a problem prying it from your grip, so then you'll just have to make another