I have recently had a customer who broke a Loomis FS904X IMX Flipping Stick. It would appear that it was defective for it broke in the meat of the rod between the stripper guide and the next guide. Two questions.
1- is there any way that I can tell myself if the blank was defective and,
2- does anyone know how Loomis will replace an IMX FS904X that is no longer available to custom builders?

Thanks

I look for a clean break, not splintered down the blank on either side of the break. This at least will rule out the possibility of the blanks failure due to crushing. I could make a living repairing rods for just one Bass fishermen I know, he takes out a dozen rods and then proceeds to dance on them over the course of the day. I don't build him anything custom.

G-loomis will probably opt to do one of three things 1.) Give you a compreable model 2.) or allow you to pay the difference in a trade up 3.) If they deem the breakage to be your fault, or falls outside their warranty stipulations they might give you a better than list deal on a another rod or component. Call and ask.

Mike
GLOOMIS'S phone number is (800)456-6647
.Look for rub marks, dust the rod with baby powder this well help define hidden defects caused by miss use. Chris is right when explaining what a crushed rod looks like. Two other possible reasons for a blank failur is if while your customer was fighting his fish he had put his hand between the 2 guides and put extra stress on the rod, or he was fighting his fish with the rod at a steeper angle more than 45%.

Oh yes, gun racks while cause a unprotected rod to also fail.

Loomis warranty says it is limited "lifetime" if the blank is foundto be defective in workmanship and/or materials. The blank is not warranted if it failed because of misuse, negllect or normal ware
Keep smooth wraps
Bob

If the blank/rod was fairly new then there is the chance that it was defective. If it had been used more than a few times already you likely have something else on your hands.

Loomis will either send you another blank, of equivilent cost and performance if yours is no longer made, or send you one at a very nominal fee if they it failed due to abuse. They are quite lenient about these things and often replace abused rods at no charge just for customer goodwill. But be prepared to absorb some nominal charge just in case.

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