I'm still using a file and prepping my guides by hand. What is everyone else doing out there?

Nick

I use this: [www.amazon.com]

Using a 1000 or 1500 grit belt; it takes a light touch, and with practice, about ten seconds per guide foot.

For saltwater rods, I do nothing. It often is possible to handle the issue by wrapping onto the foot about 5 wraps, then sliding them down the foot to close the wrap to the threads right at the foot, then continuing your wrap up the foot. Burnish all the wrap as a final step.

Use a hook file, small, handy and gives me a very smooth result.

I/m with Gary. The Work Sharpe makes quick work of guide feet preparation. My set of diamond files is now in the retired tools box.

I'm like Micheal, rarely if ever file guide feet. I have no problem getting the thread over the toe of the guide. From what I have seen is that filing the finish off the guide foot increases the chance for corrosion. I use my rods in both fresh and saltwater, so why take the chance.
Norm

This is the greatest invention since a pocket on a shirt. Grinds and polishes in one operation.

cratex.com/Products/Rubber-Abrasives

because I think out of the box this is what I do and have done with no problems after ward
file grind what ever you choose after that I use the powered heat jig paint and just heat the end of the guide foot and give it a quick dip and it seals the exposed metal !!

just pick a color either to match the blank of there is black and also silver & gold

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2017 10:20PM by Matthew Paul.

I use a 1 inch x 30 inch belt sander. I generally use about a 220 grit sand paper. I hold the guide foot at right angles to the sanding belt, so the sand paper puts fine grooves in the top surface of the guide which nicely helps to hold the thread in place on the foot.

For small guides, I use a holding tool that I made out of a piece of blank and a machine screw and wing nut. I sanded down the head of the machine screw so that there is essentially nothing sticking out above the guide ring to get in the way of the guide prep.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

A source for the belt sander: \

[www.harborfreight.com]

Thanks for the response guys. Got some options to think about

Matthew, the powder paint thing is an excellent idea!

^ What Lynn said!

I use a bench grinder. Always on the finer stone. Kinda tight on small guides. but works!

Dremel tool works for me.