hi folks i just recieved my first wrapper this week and have a couple questions that i haven't found answers for.

i'm gonna be building some rainshadow surf rods soon cause i really like how they cast and such but they don't seem to make a blank for 1 of the length lure ratings i'm looking for so was wondering if i could cut a blank down to increase it's lure rating. for instance can i take a su1418 which is an 11'9" blank rated for 2 to 6 ounce lures and cut say 6 inches off the tip to make it a 6 to 8 ounce lure rating? or a 6 to 10?

also since we're on the rainshadow subject i was wondering what ya'lls opinions were of there bass and inshore blanks? i'm thinking of building a few trout rods for fishing from my kayak in the bays down here in texas and basically wanna hear what your opinions are of those types of blanks and what manufacturers you guys prefer

next question is about guides. i've never used braided lines before and never really paid attention to what guides are on my rods because well mono doesn't cut guides like braid does so what kinda guides will i need to use for those folks who prefer braids?

last question is i can't seem to find a variable speed low rpm motor for a dryer and don't really feel like shelling out another hundred bucks on just a motor so i wanted to build me 1 that i can also use while building my rods. so what i wanna know is where did you guys find such an animal? i've checked every hobby store and electrical supply house in town and can't find anything(i'm an electrician by trade so have lots of contacts in the supply houses).

In short answers

Yes you can trim the tip or butt of a blank to change the characteristics of the blank. However,
you need to know what your doing or you can ruin a good blank. I can't speak about that specific
batson blank as to weather 6" from the tip would be a good idea or not.
Here is a good reference chart for trimming rod blanks in general.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Any of the ceramic ringed guides will not be harmed by super lines but I would reccommend
alconites or the forecast equilivent.

There was an earlier thread on the motor subject. Try here

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/29/2006 11:18PM by Raymond_Adams.

hey shawn i can't answer your question on guides and stuff cause i'm new at rod building to. but i just finished my first rod and for a low rpm motor i used a rotisserie motor. i screwed the bracket onto a piece of wood and placed the rod in brackets also. i also got an old record player motor but i didn't like that. i'll give you this link on shutterfly you can see the rotiserrie motor. on the end is a piece of pvc electrical pipe. don't know what they call it i got the piece from a friend. you can get them in different sizes and you put the handle in there and tighten it down on the handle. i did not even make any marks on the handle. [www.shutterfly.com]

if you cut down a blank you will void then warranty. There is a pic of a grill spit motor in my photo gallery, look in the members photo galley under "C" for Chris and click on the photo. There are pics of lots of homemade fixtures I use to construct rods, check it out, you might get some cost effective ideas, but the vendors to the left have many store bought versions of the same stuff. Braided line does not cut guides, the fine sediment that gets trapped in the braid from dirty water cuts guides, as it flattens out and moves over the ceramic ring in the same place. No really dirty water, that is usually found in the south..don't worry about it. Most rings should hold up to it. Alconites (1800 VHS) are a step above the very common Hia/Hardloy creamics which rate between 12-1400 on the vickers hardness scale. The 12-1400's will hold up unless you encounter really dirty water.

welcome...the batson rainshadow/forecast bass blanks that i have built are great...rx7 6'
& 61/2'...like the isp783 or isj782...i am very pleased with all batson products that i have
used...i have used there guides also...good luck...

thanks for the info and images guys. today at work i realised i had a couple drill's with busted chucks laying around that had good motors so i'm gonna rig up some kinda mount for those motors with a reostat and sewing machine peddle and i do believe that'll fix my dryer motor issue along with making my wrapping easier.

so just outta curiousity what are the more common well liked bass/ inshore rod blanks. pretty sure i'm gonna stick with rainshadow but might wander around and try a few other blanks occasionally

shawn,
the best motors i have found for turning rods are industrial sewing machine motors you get the pedal and all with it so there is an easy start
as for drying motors i have been using microwave oven rotiserrie motors when it comes to junk time in your area take a look for microwaves that have ben thrown out. unscrew the motor and off you go i have found about 20 motors this way and it has only cost me a small amount of money for the wiring to rig it all up i will post some pics when i have finished my new 10 rod dryer