scuffing the blank

[the nibbler]

hi guys
i am about to embark on my first build and would like to know what i can use to scuff the blank in preperation for gluing on the grip and real seat. i cant seem to find any of the scotchbrite pads that are used by the US builders (probably not looking hard enough) so if anyone can let me know where i can buy them or an alternative to these i would be most thankful.
my second question is what do you guys use to clean the blanks and clean up the excess epoxy when building.
thanks
keith

[Adam_G]

you can use acetone to clean up excess glue, epoxy etc.. and scuff the area to be glued with almost anything rough, I have used an old hacksaw blade and just drag it along the blank in the past.

["L"plates]

Look in the cleaning section of your local supermarket for scotchbrite pads , there the green ones and you could probably use a scourer or steel wool ?
I'm not a 100% if there what the U.S builders use but i reckon they'd work but i'm only a beginner myself
regards mick

[sleepygreg]

I just use a bit of coarse wet'n'dry paper, then give the roughed up bit a clean with acetone or metho to get rid of any dust/grit, have used steel wool, have also used a file....whatever is in arms reach at the time...its not that critical what you use...anything that roughs the surface without breaking the fibres...just make sure you clean it after roughing it up.

Acetone is almost the the universal clean up agent in rod building.....though i try to avoid getting excess epoxy/glue on things like grips and winches...to the point of using masking tape over my winch when fitting a top grip.

A tip though...make sure you have adequate ventillation when using epoxys and acetone...they nasty when inhaled, if I had an order for a number of rods, i would use one of those industrial resprator masks when i was in enclosed rooms when i was working with lots of epoxy and acetone. Not suggesting you should...but just an example of what your dealing with.

Greg

[Mark Fisher]

Go with Metho for the clean up - it is far, far safer than acetone.

Mark