Eastern White Pine

[Eric Roach]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

I'm using alot of EWP this year. I'm digging the action from the lighter wood with swimmers and bottle darters. I seal with epoxy.

What are you using for epoxy and thinner? Do you dip or brush? Just curious. I have Flex Coat, Aftcote and some others in my rod room.

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by Eric Roach

What are you using for epoxy and thinner? Do you dip or brush? Just curious. I have Flex Coat, Aftcote and some others in my rod room.

I mix etex up per directions. Thin it with denatured alcohol, 50%.

So if your using 1 ounce resin, 1 ounce hardener, use 1 ounce DA.

Heat up the blanks. Pour the mixture from one cup into another, pouring it over the blank/in the holes. It will be thin and coat quickly.

Hang the blanks to drip bit and dry. DO NOT DO THIS INDOORS. It is bit messy. I do it in the garage, then move the blanks into my basement to dry overnight.

[Striperknight]

No dust created by any wood is safe. The only thing meant to go in the lungs is air.

[Karl F]

Originally Posted by Striperknight

No dust created by any wood is safe.

correct, just read the OSHA report on wood dust..
pine dust gives me a sinus infection that is world class...lord knows what else it is doin' to me...

nor is any fumes....from BLO, Tung, gas coming off of epoxy as it is applied primers paints sealers clear coats etc etc etc....

gotta love the tho..

ventilate wear your filtered mask, resperator, use a spray booth with an explosion proof fan motor... dust dollector if ya got it...

be safe with your rags.. ( cap 'em tight in an old jar..cover with water if ya feel the need)

just basic shop safety...like they taught ya in Wood shop...hopefully

and second hand smoke, drunk drivers..idiots in line at DD...
most anything will kill ya...just be carefull out there...
and remember to enjoy.

[numbskull]

EWP isn't cheap (when you buy the clear stuff) but wonderful to turn. Softer and lighter than AYC, not as light or soft as WRC (which is also very allergenic). The pine does contain some pitch. If you heat set your plugs in the oven some may leak out and discolor small spots of the paint and later the epoxy (though this is much more of an issue with sugar pine). No big deal as far as fishing plugs are concerned.

Seal with Polyurethane thinned with MS....about as safe and simple as you can get. I use VAl Oil which is not as good (but I bought 4 gallons worth before I realized PolyU was better).

[jeffthechef]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I use VAl Oil which is not as good (but I bought 4 gallons worth before I realized PolyU was better).

NS, so far, i've only used val-oil, it was recommended to me when i began last winter, but there seems to me to be alot of waste and i'm considering trying something else... why do you like the poly better? is there a specific brand you prefer and how much do you thin it for an initial seal? i prime w/ zinser cover stain and finish sealing w/ etex lite...thanks
jeff

[angler229]

I think the price difference between AYC and EWP is minimal, at least from what I've been paying. I would focus more on the function of the plug for the wood than the cost, as in the end you're still going to be spending plenty of $$.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by jeffthechef

NS, so far, i've only used val-oil, it was recommended to me when i began last winter, but there seems to me to be alot of waste and i'm considering trying something else... why do you like the poly better? is there a specific brand you prefer and how much do you thin it for an initial seal? i prime w/ zinser cover stain and finish sealing w/ etex lite...thanks
jeff

I haven't used it yet, but lots of guys do and I like how their plugs hold up. Ask Prof M or PNG, I think they use Helmsman thinned 60/40. Zinser didn't work for me very well so I prime with ZSpar white marine undercoat 105 (brush on with foam brush). It works great. I use System Three Clear Coat for epoxy, which I found to be the best, but God did I suffer learning to work with it and using it still scares me every time. Search this board about it before you try it and ruin 2 weeks worth of work.