Hi!

Should I use Forhan lock since I'm planning to build a 9'6" #5 Signature IV with single foot SiCs and with 3/0 silk thread (comments)?
Is Forhan mainly for spinning rods?

When I inscribe the rod with a marking pen should I lightly sand the blank first? What about varnishing the inscription i.e. Permagloss or Duragloss or ???

Thanks for helping! And Thanks for Dan Craft for the best service ever experienced! Dan Craft rules!

Hans

It is not really necessary to use. It is a better wrap. I am starting to use it on all my single foot guides no matter what rod. For single foot guides

I scuff the blank with a grey Scotchbrite pad prior to inscription and I think it is helpful. You can cover with Permagloss or with epoxy depending on your preference. I use a Forhan wrap on all single foot guides as it eliminates all chance of a guide pulling loose and becomes quite easy to do with practice.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

I mainly build fly rods with single foot guides and have used the forhan locking wrap on all of them. I only do 2 locking wraps though (instead of 3). It just looks a little neater to me that way I think because single foot fly guides are in general smaller than spinning guides. And it seems plenty strong with only 2.
I had all kinds of inscription problems for a while. The system I have found that works best for me is to use a roller gel pen (from cabela's), let it dry overnight, then hit it with a short shot of krylon clear acrylic spray, then let it dry for at least 1 hour, then seal with epoxy. If you don't use the spray - the ink smears when you try to epoxy over it. At least that was my experience. Scuffing the blank did not seem to make a difference for me one way or another.

Good luck,
Greg



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2005 09:53AM by Greg Mitchell.

I only use single foot guides, either wire or ceramic, on all of my flyrods and use a simple 4-5 turn security wrap in front of the guide ring. I've never pulled a guide out on any rod.

As for inscriptions, I use steel nib pens and silver Winsor and Newton ink. This ink is sold at art stores such as Pearl Paint and can be cleaned up with water. However, it dries in 5 minutes and you can finish over it directly with Flex Coat Lite or regular. Those are the only finishes I use so I am not sure how others would affect it. The inks come in a myriad of colors.

HTH,

Lou

Thanks for excellent info!

After learning the Forhan lock, I use them on all my spinning guides now, not just the fly ones.

Although it's not a guarentee. I've seen two Ti SiC guides, in the last 4 month, that broke right at where the wrap locks the guide in place. Could be a coincidence?

What size nibs do you use? I'm having a hard time getting any to work.

Thanks,
Ron Greenbank

I am honestly not sure what size they are. I just buy the Sanford brown pack that comes with a brown plastic "pen (Handle)" and about 4 different sizes. I know what you mean as some definitely work better than others. I think you need to keep playing with them to find the right one, as it is definitely a feel type of thing. What feels right to me, might not feel right to you.

Lou