CUSTOM ROD BUILDING- Epoxy Ramps! No more rubber winding checks!

[@FishingLouisiana2020]

I enjoyed the video, looking forward to the next one.

[@KardiacOutdoors]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@ChiefDoesStuff]

Love these rod building videos!

[@Eric_Castillo_Fishing]

1K soon congrats man!

[@KardiacOutdoors]

Thanks man, been a grind!

[@SirDadbod]

What tips do u have for the ring backing out that tightens down the reel feet..?? Mine keeps coming loose and I'm scared to over tighten.. I've read to wrap teflon over it then tighten ring.. Any ideas?

[@KardiacOutdoors]

I usually don't have a problem like that with my bay rods. However, on my big jetty setups, I use double ring lock reel seats and that solved it. If you can't change the reel seat, I bet teflon tape would do the job! I'd say anything you can slip over the threads and still tighten the reel seat would work!

[@johnpenner5543]

Cool video! What motor are you using for the variable speed?

[@KardiacOutdoors]

@@johnpenner5543 the FlexCoat rod finisher!

[@johnpenner5543]

@KardiacOutdoors thanks!

[@chriscothren2030]

which varible ststem is that? can it be set and run for rod dryer !!!

[@KardiacOutdoors]

9-200 rpm flex coat OEM. Yes but even 9rpm can be too fast for me sometimes. Usually dry on my 8 rpm!

[@chriscothren2030]

@@KardiacOutdoors is the 3 rod the crb? really like the 3 videos onthat gray rod!

[@KardiacOutdoors]

@@chriscothren2030 yes, it probably is a CRB, all my inshore and bass builds are on CRB. Personally fish them a bunch and they are tough as nails.

[@blakemorales3794]

Which reel holder is that ? I like it and am looking to build a rod with that set up

[@KardiacOutdoors]

I believe it’s the CRB Project X spinning seat!

[@tlfu6836]

Just watching your excellent video now approximately a year after you released it. I'm wondering how well the epoxy holds up and how well it adheres to the shrink wrap grip on the rod you built in the video. I want to build a surf rod with shrink wrap grips and was considering doing epoxy ramps at the ends of the real seat, but I'm concerned about the durability of epoxy on top of the somewhat soft / flexible shrink wrap. What has your experience been with the long term durability of this method, especially when used to finish shrink wrap grips?

[@KardiacOutdoors]

I have built epoxy ramps on 8 rods where it goes from ramp to shrink wrap. I fish them hard, and they have held up great! The ramps will actually hold the shrink wrap in place a little better as well. I won't ever put winding checks on another surf rod build. Also, if they do start to deteriorate, just add some heat and you can get them to flake off and reapply a new ramp!

[@tlfu6836]

Thanks for the quick reply! That's excellent info!

[@ritchieyang]

What export glue do you use? And what is the black color that you add in it? I would like to buy some

[@KardiacOutdoors]

It is flex coat, rod builders epoxy glue. Main thing is that it will self level just like guide epoxy. I just added marbling pigment. I typically do a coat of epoxy finish over it as well!

[@OriginOutfittersMaine]

At what point do you remove the tape? Before it’s fully cured of course, but once you’ve laid it down and it’s leveled itself out?

[@KardiacOutdoors]

Yes, you can remove it right after you lay it. It’s very similar to epoxy finish, just sets up way faster. Once you get used to the consistency, you don’t even need tape! It will only run to the edge you laid.

[@nickfiebrich4564]

It would be so cool if I won your giveaway!😂

[@KardiacOutdoors]

If you win, I’ll build you a $25 ice rod instead. Use it in your pool!

[@tx88mx6gt]

I wanna start wrapping rods. What kit do u recommend? Or it better to piece one together.

[@KardiacOutdoors]

For the tools, Mudhole Tackle has some great starter kits that come with everything you need to build a rod. For rod kits, both Mudhole and Get Bit Outdoors have rod packages that are $70-$90 that are pretty good quality to get your feet wet before you try and tackle an expensive rod blank and components!

[@kelvinlloysellis5976]

You should try using your normal epoxy finish I find this works well, just wait for epoxy to set a little. FDx custom rods has a very good instuctional vid.

[@KardiacOutdoors]

I’ll have to check it out, i will use normal epoxy if I’m not in a rush to fish the rod!

[@kelvinlloysellis5976]

@@KardiacOutdoors Its quicker cause there is no need to apply a finish coat over the ramp and you can use same batch as your final coat for guides.

[@markbar8689]

Do you wrap over top of that

[@KardiacOutdoors]

You can if you wanted. I pigment it black, mainly just using it for a smooth transition and not any sort of decorative aspect!

[@ericpierce4510]

I find if you let the resin get a thicker consistency, i.e. get closer to setting up, it will stay on the rod better...

[@KardiacOutdoors]

The more I do it, the more I over-apply and let it gradually drip the excess. Also have figured out that 9rpm is the sweet spot for an even finish or you can crank up your variable speed and shape your ramp once it sets up like you mentioned! I prefer to use epoxy glue versus finish personally, I can pigment the glue on first application then go over it with epoxy finish once when I’m applying it to eyes or decorative portions!

[@daveengstrom9250]

That looks pretty "iffy" to me. That epoxy is far too thin.

[@KardiacOutdoors]

May look “iffy” but it’s not. This is Epoxy adhesive, not epoxy finish. I’ve put this on surf, shark, and bass rods. You can go over it with finish after the initial pass. I’d recommend you try it first. It’s mixed at 1:1 as instructed, with it being thin, it levels out nicely to have a smooth finish.