Hi Guys,
i have been reading quite a bit here and finally decided to register. I have already picked up a ton of info reading through the posts.

I am just started rod building and I can't wait to start my first rod. Do you have any DVD recommendations? How about Flex Coat Rod Building "How We Do It"?

After watching the video I will buy my equipment. So far I am thinking about getting the Flexcoat HW1 Hand Wrapper and the American Tackle Rod Dryer (11 RPM) or maybe the Sully dryer. Any recommendations on wrappers dryers would be great as well.

Thanks,
Ken



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2007 05:43PM by ken bower.

That is a good one, I would also recommend Ken Preston's DVD. Tom Kirkmans Book is also a good tool that helped me alot when I first got started. All very informative, and they make it easier to visualize what you will be doing.

Chase Foster
American Tackle
www.americantackle.us

The Flex Coat DVD you mention would be hard to beat for a person at your current stage in rod building. Roger Seiders at Flex Coat has spent many years teaching custom rod building and that DVD is the result of a lot of time figuring out how to best get people started in this craft. If I were you, that's the one I'd start off with.

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The best $15 you will ever spend would be a copy of Rodbuildingf guide by Tom Kirkman!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Ken,

I think you should get all three of the above mentioned items. Each will be great learning tools that you'll want to view/read multiple times. You are in for a wonderful experience!

Stan

Ken I will second all the above motions ! You don't need to start out with a great deal of money invested, it's not necessary. Get a couple of rods under your belt then if you are hooked like the rest of us, go for it. Don't be shy about asking any rod building questions you have. These guys are super rod builders and a great bunch of guys and they don't mind you picking their brain.

Thanks for your input guys. I just ordered the Flex Coat DVD and the Rod Building Guide by Tom Kirkman.

How bad are the fumes from the epoxy used in rod building? I can tolerate using epoxy for tying clouser minnows and other epoxy head flies, but not much more. Do you guys use a respirator mask when applying the epoxy? This might seem like an odd question but I get really bad headaches when using epoxy/resin for more than 30-45 minutes or so. I apply all of the epoxy to the flies at once and leave the room.

You don't get much fumes/emissions from thread finish. It's not the same stuff as epoxy adhesive. It can sensitize or irritate though. No need for the gas mask, just adequate ventilation (without introducing dust and dirt).

Good to know -- I was thinking it would be more along the lines of a toxic epoxy/resin.

KEN:
Try Diamondite Rod Finish; you may not have the same reaction to it since it is not an epoxy. It's really good stuff and nice to work with. The caveat is that you must use a color preservative under it, otherwise you'll end up with dark streaks throughout the finish. I've found most CP's work fine, just put on a flood coat. Good luck to you.
RON.

The epoxies we're talking about here are not at all along the lines of a fiberglass cloth and polyester resin system. Now that can give some people fits. These epoxies don't really have any odor and don't release anything that you're going to have a hard time with. But you don't want it coming in contact with your bare skin any more than you can help it. If you're a bit messy, pick up some nitrile gloves and wear those while you work with epoxy.

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Look in the learning section at mudhole.com some videos and tutorials... FREE!

Some people are sensitive to (and others develop sensitivity over a period of time continuing using) epoxy hardeners. Best to be safe with adequate ventilation and, if it bothers you, get a good respiratory protector and use gloves. I don't personally know anyone who has developed these symptoms, but have heard of these effects during a chemical/plastic career. All the mfgrs will supply an MSDS upon request (Material Safety Data Sheet) so you can read up on the facts directly.

Tony M

Alont these lines, what type of heat are you people using with the Diamondite finish? Thanks, Gene