from the rod bench...

Little things that might help some builders...

I like to have heavy paper cards (pink in picture) precut and ready. I like to spread finish on these and mix up epoxy here, too. Tin foil just doesn't get it for me, gets holes too easy and I can't pick it up and hold it closer to the rod.

I made some glue applicators (spatulas) from a screen door weatherstrip. Two of them in the picture, works great with Rod Bond or liquid epoxies.

When your single edge razor blade gets dull, mark it with a piece of masking tape. Only the sharp ones aren't marked. There are plenty of uses for a dull one.

MUCH sharper than single edge blades for cutting thread are the double edged. Break them in half, use to cut threads. When dull, throw away.

Where would I be without 1/4" masking tape?? WalMart-clothing material / sewing thread section of store-cheap!!

Clear flexible rulers; hard to read the numbers when laid against a dark background. Put some masking tape on the bottom side; very easy to read, now. Leave a bit of room between the edge of the ruler and beginning of tape.

Do you use masking tape to position guides for wrapping like I do?? I use my file box (BE SURE to make a card on each and every rod you build so you can duplicate it later-even 10 years later) lid to cut them into strips and stick them on. I used a permanent marker to mark different lengths for the different diameters of the blank.

A few more things in here, too.