Good day to all!

I'm hoping you guys will have some answers for me. I'm building a personal rod and want to put some alignment dots/marks on it. I'm wondering what methods you guys have for making the marks that can be applied straight to a blank and don't need to be overcoated with something. On a past build I used testors enamel paint, but the uncoated ones are almost gone now.

I've read about tinting both epoxy and permagloss and was wondering about trying that, without an overcoat. I can only find statements though about adding a couple drops of pigment to the finish, but no one says about how much finish they are adding it to.

Thanks for the help! This forum is one of my favorites!

I have made alignment dots with both epoxy and Permagloss. Basically, mix up a small batch of epoxy or pour out a small amount of Permagloss and add a drops of pigment until you get the right density of color. I use a tooth pick as my pigment dropper, and a little goes a long way. For the pigment you can use either the Mudhole marbling pigment, which is a life time supply, or Testors enamel, which comes in a small container. For the Testors let the pigment settle and remove the clear carrier. Once mixed, I dip the head of a small brad into the mix and use it for making the dots. Practice making your dots on a scrap blank. Once the dot is made do not rotate the blank. Both epoxy and Permagloss yield very durable dots, the Permagloss drys faster but has a short pot life. Hope this helps.
Norm

Thanks Norm!

Hello Josh.

There are a load of way's to mark for alignment.
In RodMaker Magazine Vol.-6 / Issue-1 / Page-10 there is an article called "Ferrule Alignment Mark Methods" that shows you how to do a few of the thread methods and speaks of other methods, such as dots, lines and inlays.
In V-14 / I-4 / Pg.-22 there is an article called "Multi-Piece Alignment Marking Tool" that shows you how to make a "Quick, Easy and Accurate" marking tool that puts dots on your rod.
You can inlay Feathers stem to stem, or even pointed center cut craft sea shells with one side ground to fit the blank, which can be attached many different ways.

It goes on and on use your imagination.

Hope this helps.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.