Just found this site and I think it is great. I am sort of new to rod building so your help is appreciated. My problem is after I finished my rod I noticed a little "blob" of finish right below the tip top, around the thread. I rotated the rod while drying but I must of put too much finish on initially. I'm sure it doesn't affect the rod performance but is annoying whenever I see it as I am threading fishing line thru it. Now what should I do? I'm afraid to take a razor blade to it as I may damage the blank. Should I use sand paper to file down level then re-apply a light coat of finish? Thanks for your help.

Since it is only the tip top, just gently warm the area with a hairdryer and carefully scrap off the finish. Remove the thread wrap.

Carefully scrape off any residual finish and clean the area with alcohol. Now rewrap and apply two thin coat of finish.

Norb,

Are you talking about a "football" or a drip?

My first and second rods had drip problems. My home-rigged turner would release the rod after an hour or so, just when I thought all was safe. I took a razor and shaved the drips down, and then applied another coat of epoxy, and it turned out OK.

If it is a football, I think Al's advice is the best. Just remember to lift as you shave with a razor. Don't try to take it all in one slice. Take your time, and it should work out well.

TH

What is a football?

That is a term used for those wraps that have been heavily covered with epoxy which has then sagged to the middle to create a "football" shape on the wrap.

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Thanks Al,Tony and others,

The finish ended up looking exactly like a football. You've described it perfectly, I've never heard that term before and thanks again for the repair advice. I'll just be very careful working around the tip, this is a light spinning blank with a very small diameter at the top.