G'day Guys,

I'm after a bit of help regarding the above. I have made a flocked cork foregrip for a standup rod I'm building and have a ramp either end of the flocking, the same as you would do on a leather grip. My issue occurs when I'm putting epoxy on the binding on the ramps. It doesn't seem to matter how careful I am applying the epoxy, I get some epoxy bleeding off the thread and into the flocking. The flocking, being fuzzy, seems to want to wick the epoxy into itself. There is obviously a need to get the epoxy right to the edge of the thread to cover it and make it durable.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to either stop the spread of epoxy in the first place or alternatively how to clean it up. My best thought would be to use some DNA on a cotton bud and try and wipe the epoxy out of the flocking. Anyone have any better ideas?

Or should I bind first, mask off and then flock after? Too late for this grip of course but would work for the next.

Cheers

Jason

I hadn't really thought about this, but you might get a cleaner look by flocking as the last step. The flock will only adhere to the location where you have the adhesive and it's thick enough to allow you to get it exactly where you want.

Generally, I didn't do epoxy ramps onto my flocked grips. I just used them full length as-is.

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G'day Tom,

I reckon you're right. It will probably be easier to flock after. I will try some DNA and a cotton bud in order to finish this grip and see how it goes. I went with the thread bound ramps as I really like the look but obviously I didn't anticipate this issue.

How did you finish off the front end of your grips? Just a winding check glued over the flock or did you leave a bare spot on the front of the grip the same diameter as the check and then glue the check in?

Cheers

Jason

A winding check would give you the cleanest appearance, in my opinion. You can run the epoxy onto that. It won't wick so you can use a towel wet with alcohol to wipe a nice clean edge all the way around.

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if the guides are not on yet maybe you can make the ramp off the rod after the grip is done
Finish it and then slid it on and ( carfully ) glue up ??

Bill - willierods.com

I have flocked a few grips and Tomis right, flock as your last step.

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

G'day Guys,

Thanks fro your further input.

Bill B, the grip is flocked cork and the ramps are shaped into the end of the cork, so unfortunately I am not able to do as you suggest. It may very well be an option for future grips though.

Bill E, thanks for further confimation that this is the way to go.

Cheers

Jason