Hey guys, hows everyone...do you know where I can find fiberglass rod blanks that are clear /translucent (or semi whitish clear) blanks? They'd probably would have to be solid fiberglass blanks in order to be translucent...thanks...

Now of days you'd be hard pressed to find a new blank. However, if you scour your local thrift stores, flea markets, second hand stores, you may be able to scrounge one up that you could strip and rebuild. It's almost Yard / Garage sale time too.

Bill in WV



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/2005 08:15PM by William Bartlett.

Hi Kenny,
You didn't mention any action, length or strength of the rod blanks you might be looking for?



Tight wraps and lines,
Wylie



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2005 10:23PM by Wylie Wiggins.

Hi guys...I am looking for some blanks like around 5ft to 6ft in lenght...medium action...nothing complex...I am wanting to make one or two rods for my Featherweight Champion rod handles...I have a couple of those butt ferrules...I really like the clear looking glass blanks like the vintage ones...I saw some in a japanese website and matched with the right wrapping they really look good...probably will make some for my wife and kid too...I wanna use it mostly for topwater and crankbait fishing...using vintage nylon line and braided fishing line...are all solid fiberglass blanks clear after sanding/stripping down? whats a good safe way to strip a blank of this sort?

Kenny,
I may just have what you are looking for but you would have to do some work on them and know how to coat natural blanks as these do need to be stripped and refinished.
The rods are hollow one section 6 footers with an extension rated at 10 to 20 lbs. but I would call them at 8 to 17 lbs. myself. Would these be casting rods you want to build or spinners? The reason I ask is I find that these blanks load funny as casters and like to over run the spool, could be me or the low tech bait casters I fish but this is what I have found.
When I strip blanks I don't use any solvents or chemicals as I have found anything that will break down the coatings will effect the blanks. I have gotten pretty quick at stipping blanks by using a knife at a 90 degree angle to the blank and just scrapping the coatings off. If you do this be very careful as to not slide the knife in cutting manner because it will nick the blank. I had some help stripping some blanks once and they wasted a bunch of them for me. :( You may want to use some rubber gloves as well because it gets a little itchy sometimes sanding. A light sanding with a fine grit after the scrape and a tack cloth clean up and you're ready for coating of the blank. I use a Gudebrod two part regular build for a clear coat on these blanks as I like the curing time and the little bit of heat from the coating seams to help it adhere to the blank better then some of the others I have used in the past.
If you would be interested in something a little different I have some other blanks and few tricks up my sleeve but I feel it may be best to contact me outside this forum as I am not a sponsor and wouldn't like to butt heads with anyone here.
It's pretty easy to find me on the net if you are interested.





Tight wraps and lines,
Wylie



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2005 10:17AM by Wylie Wiggins.