I know it's not the popular way here, but I use masking tape arbors on most all my freshwater and light saltwater rods and never had a problem. I do get epoxy all around the edges of the tape arbor and try to size the seat so that the arbors are never really large in diameter. Now I need to build up some arbors for a heavy duty boat rod that is going to use an AFTCO #2 seat. I planned to use full one inch wide tape and use four arbors. On this blank I will have to take up maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch all around the blank between the seat. Am I risking trouble? I might can see the wisdom in using the harder foam arbors on a heavier rod like this but if others here use tape on these type rods and have had good service from them I might still go that way. What say you? Thanks.

RJH

Use fiberglass tape, beats masking tape 10 to 1 on days ending in "Y".

On some thing heavy I would think graphite arbors Large ones Shaped on a lath to fit any ID then bored out to fit the blank

Bill - willierods.com

I use drywall mesh tape in one inch wide strips with a 2" strip underneath where the reel seat is, especially if there is a reel clamp.

IMHO the main advantage of the foam arbors is weight reduction. Also makes cutting reel seat off easier!

I'd vote for the drywall mesh as the strongest. Always wondered how fiberglass cloth would work out. Boy I can picture the mess I'd make with that (another reason for foam arbors).

Masking tape has stood the test of time. I'd worry more about blank and reel seat prep. I like to get the finish off the blank and use a rat tail file to get some scratches inside the seat.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Go with masking tape arbors. You will have 0 issues and you will be on the water with the rod in a jiffy.

Be safe

Prep the inside of the seat and the blank so you get a good adhesion

Bill - willierods.com

I know this is opinion but I cannot understand why drywall tape is not recognized as the superior method on heavy duty rods over masking tape. Weight is not and issue and with dry wall you have complete adhesion between the blank and the real seat whereas with masking tape the adhesion is only at the points where the masking tape touches the blank. Masking tape is nothing more than paper with a sticky backing and even though it works I'll stick (pun intended) with dry wall tape.

Ray Zarychta
Glastonbury, CT

It is not the tape that adhers the seat to the blank It is the space between the tape Where the blank is preped and the seat is preped that makes the seat adhere to the blank The adhesive holding the seat to the blank
Then again if I have to wrap tape more then 10 turns about that - It is time for a better fitting seat or an arbor - or the drywall tape if preffered

Bill - willierods.com