Hey guys,

I was wondering what everyone uses to glue their tiptops on? Do you use tip top cement or just any adhesive/glue?

I've used a couple different outdoor/marine adhesives from the hardware store that i had lying around and they seem to work fine.

Any issues or concerns with certain products?

Thanks!

-Chase

Chase,

I live in CA where we get plenty of hot sun, especially in the summer. As a result, I use 5 minute epoxy on all of my tip tops. I found the hot melt available for tip tops would soften in the sun while laying on the deck of a boat and allow them to twist. If I need to remove a tip top, I just gentle hear them with a lighter and remove with a pair of pliers. I don't think you need to be concerned with the glue you have currently been using.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

I use 5 min epoxy as well.

I like to use a thread pick to place the epoxy inside the tube. Slide the tube onto the rod. Spin it around once. Then clean up the excess with a paper towel and alcohol.

Chase

I use 5-minute epoxy. It gives me plenty of time to install the tip and eyeball it and adjust it until it is perfectly lined up.

John

Flex- Coat tip adhesive or the old amber colored Fuji tip glue. Don't be tempted by South Bend (I was, in a pinch) it will not hold up in hot conditions.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/15/2018 02:32PM by Lynn Behler.

rod tips are so thin and guide tubes so short that you almost have to use epoxy..

I live in Texas and I would argue that our summers that boast 50+ days of 100 degree heat and high humidity will blow the doors off any other summer heat in the USA, besides death valley, but that is a dry heat...

Anyway, back on topic, we stand by our Tip Top Adhesive. It would take temperatures of over 270 degrees to soften it. Our adhesive is used on the largest offshore rods you can imagine and still holds strong. Also, if your tip top needs replacing, no worries. Just heat it up and slide it off and put on a new one. No big deal.

I hope this helps.

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

I never use 5 min epoxy for tip tops, or any other type of outdoor or marine adhesive, they may cause problems when you need to replace a tip top. I totally agree with John Cates, I use the Flex coat tip top adhesive. In my opinion it is the best way to attach a tip top without any subsequent problems. I have had problems replacing tip tops that have been epoxied in place. It takes more heat to break an epoxy bond then it does to melt the Flex coat adhesive. This extra heat may cause the blank to break down and fold over at the tip, thus requiring tha damaged area to be cut away. It does not happen every time but often enough that it is not worth taking a chance.
Norm

Hot melt glue, provided you actually manage to get it inside of the tiptop, will hold securely for years and years. There are different types and some melt at a higher temp than others. The stuff Flex Coat sells has no doubt been selected for the proper melting point.

...............

i don,t mind cutting the guide off..only loosing 3/8"..i don,t recall ever replacing a tip top more than once on the same rod and i work my rods especially flippers which have never had guides of any sort replaced..

I replace a lot of tiptops on all types and makes of rods, almost all for other people who may not take as good a care of their rods as you and I do. I do mind losing part of the tip on a rod especially when it’s not necessary. Hot melt cement works great, if you don’t use it, try it. One stick will last for a very long time.
Norm

When I have to replace a tip on a clients rod, I do not know what adhesive was originally used so to be safe I have to approach it as though it were epoxied (worst case) and carefully remove it.

I use 5-minute epoxy, because it gives me plenty of time to install the tip and eyeball it and adjust it until it is perfectly lined up.

It is unlikely that that tip would ever have to be replaced again, but if it does one has to carefully remove it and start over..

The bottom line is use the adhesive with which you have the most confidence.

John

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of knowledge here.

-Chase

I''l throw something else out there. There is a product that I have been using from St Croix it's called Piccolastic hydrocarbon resin #D125 !!! This is a crystal like salt, just scoop the tube full heat and
slide the tip on with one rotation. It's hard as a brick, if you ever had the tip top glue come out the end and have to pick at it for five minutes to clean the tip, it won't happen. If it comes out let it dry and just pick it off. Clean as a whistle !!

However If i an doing a big tip I still only use Flex Coat tip top glue just to save my D125.

Tom

I use the flex coat tip top cement.

Tom Wewerka Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I''l throw something else out there. There is a
> product that I have been using from St Croix it's
> called Piccolastic hydrocarbon resin #D125 !!!
> This is a crystal like salt, just scoop the tube
> full heat and
> slide the tip on with one rotation. It's hard as
> a brick, if you ever had the tip top glue come
> out the end and have to pick at it for five
> minutes to clean the tip, it won't happen. If it
> comes out let it dry and just pick it off. Clean
> as a whistle !!
>
> However If i an doing a big tip I still only use
> Flex Coat tip top glue just to save my D125.
>
> Tom


This is all i have been using for 2 years now and it is the best i have ever used bar none.