Mark, I've admired your use of toe rings for trim/winding checks. I'm currently building a split grip musky rod, and I'm in need of some neat decorative checks - would like to go with toe rings from Wally World, or possibly regular smaller sized (3-6) finger rings. My question is this - you've stated you solder the toe rings together at the back - what kind of solder do you use, would you care to share the technique? I have soldered everything from electronics to water pipes, but never a toe ring!! Thanks in advance for any help/insight!!

Rich

I don't solder mine. But put them over a threaded base and clear them with the thread. They are soft and easy to work

Hi Rich,

I have only soldered a few of them. The ones that I did solder were sterling silver and I used your basic lead free solder. Once I soldered the ring, I filed down the solder and polished it, the end result was a barely noticable solder line. Many of the rings found in Walmart are plated or made of cheap white metal, I try to find ones that are made of silver.

Best Fishes,
Mark

Mark Janeck
Custom Rods, Campbellville, Ontario

Thanks - I bought some last night, and the toe rings are actually too small for the musky blank I'm building on!! I did notice that they are pretty junky metal too - not exactly what I want on this rod. My next step is to find some affordable sterling silver small size finger rings to use. I've checked @#$%& and with the shipping they charge, you end up paying $6-9 for a ring! Didn't really want to spend $27 for three winding checks, I'm going to investigate something else :-)

Yes, at walmart it is really hit and miss. What they have one day is gone the next. Their product line must turn over very quickly. When I see some that I like I usually buy them all because I know next time they will not be there. I stay away from the junky ones.

Mark

Mark Janeck
Custom Rods, Campbellville, Ontario

Sounds like you will be better off just checking sponcers on the left for metal winding checks ??

I've used the big aluminum coloured winding checks from Merrick/Summer Moon and they are super nice, great quality checks. Very unique but a bit pricey.

Mark Janeck
Custom Rods, Campbellville, Ontario

Bill, I was having a hard time finding them in the diameter I need - being that I am building a split grip musky rod, the checks needed between the "split" portion are fairly large. I'll "check" again and make sure I'm not missing something.

thanks Mark - I will check Summer Moons selection...

I love this board - thanks for the help guys!!

Rich

I like using the aluminum ones from jann's. Pretty nice quality checks for 1.50 each.

For large diameter silver, look into regular finger rings, especially in many malls in the "aisle carts" You can find some cool looking stuff for pretty cheap. My wife is a silver freak so we hit all the silver stands we see and I've been starting to pick stuff up for my own use. Also, Target, at least around here, usually has very nice quality silver jewelry for low cost. Even a plain silver band can look really nice, especially with a couple extra bucks spent taking one into an engraving shop.