I had a GREAT conversation with Mike Barkley regarding the need for larger pieces of stabilized wood for wood grips, butt caps, trim rings, etc. Mike suggested I post this question on the forum and get feedback from the field. Mike feels stabilized wood sized about 1 1/4" square by 6" long would be a good starting point. QUESTION: What sizes of stabilized wood and types of different woods for these applications are needed?? Most of the woods we carry we can cut and stabilize in larger sizes. A few ideas from Mike were: Big Leaf Maple Burl, Black Ash Burl, Walnut Burl, etc. Your thoughts, please. We'll see what we can do. THANKS!!

Steve Kincaid
reelseatblanks.com

Steve Kincaid

Most of the pen turning blanks are only about 5/8 to 3/4 inch square. Usually not enough unless you're working with the very smallest reel seats. Standard 1 inch turning squares would be great, although even then you'd be limited to reel seat inserts. With 1-1/4 inch squares you'd pretty much have covered hosels, butt caps, winding checks, etc. for all rod sizes. I think Mike is on the money there.

Any stabilized exotic wood would be good because so many builders find them such a bear to finish by top coating due to the high resin content. Give them something that they can just turn, polish and go and you've got a winner. Rosewood, Cocobolo, Kingwood, etc.

...................

Like we talked about, I think any of the exotic burls, spalted woods, etc would go over pretty well as long as they are affordable. As more builders are using wood lathes, the lack of availability of stabilized woods in usable sizes is really apparent. Can't wait to try some of your stuff!

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!!

Dyed box elder burl and dyed maple burl are my favorite stabilized woods to use. I've made several complete split grip handles and by far the dyed woods are my favorites. When making a grip and not a reel seat, a piece 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 6 is my preferred size. Most standard sized casting reel seats are just over 1" in diameter and with an inch and a half piece gives you a little more room to turn your grip round then sand to final size. I have a few pics in my album of some split grip handles that was made with dyed box elder burl.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/2007 11:31AM by Lance Dupre.

cherry burl for me. also burl redwood.

Yep - any burl. In particular, boxelder burl, buckeye burl, maple, black ash, etc. Also spalted maple, etc. would be sweet. If you can produce it, we will buy it :-) Boxelder burl in particular can be very beautifull. What about dyed, stabilized fiddleback maple? :-)

Rick: We've got some 8/4 (2" thick) Fiddleback Maple that is drop dead GORGEOUS. What color (colors) would be best in your opinion?? We can do the same with our Big Leaf Maple Burl. We don't have a reliable supplier for Boxelder Burl at this point. Thanks!!
Steve Kincaid

Steve Kincaid

I like blue, black, red, hey, whatever! Just not pink or purple - although I bet there would be a market for that as well :-)

Hi, I would like to find some large pieces like 12" X 1 1/2" square, stabilized boxelder burl. That would be great. The 12" length would be so all the handle parts would match up nicely. I have noticed how hard stabilized wood is to find in any usable size for rod handles so I have been reading and buying some things to try and do it myself. I do not think my finished wood will be stabilized in the same manner as the professionals, mainly because I can not purchase the Resinol 90C resin that it takes to do so. I am working on my own version of that product just for the fun of experimenting. My vacuum / pressure chamber can still be used for casting epoxy resins and mold making, that way my experiments will not be a complete waste of time. It would be great if larger sizes where more available at a somewhat affordable price. Fun to experiment at any rate. Have a great day, Rich.

Rich: Stabilized clear or dyed and stabilized in colors? Thanks!
Steve

Steve Kincaid

This is very welcome news. I second Rich Gassman's suggestion for long 12" x 1 1/2" square blanks. The matching grain is a great finishing touch.
Any highly figured exotic burls will be most welcome. My favorites are Spalted Maple, Birdseye Maple and Amboyna. But any pretty stabilized wood will be welcomed in the larger size. Wood adds so much to a custom rod. Foam arbors permit us to keep the weight competitive with cork. Even stabilized regular grain wood in this size will be of great interest, especially if the price is right.
Dave

I would have to echo Rich G's sentiment; 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" by 12" up to 18" long. Matching grain can be a problem, if you take it out of one piece of wood it elliminates that problem. The woods I'd like to see would be Spalted Maple and Figured Walnut. I need to find some Dyed Blue (the Texas flag blue) and Red Maple for a project that I'm working on now. I have a source currently (I was just going to call them when I read this post), but would like to find a less expensive source. Steve I'll try to call you this afternoon. Mark B

Hi Steven, I am not sure what colors I would like with which woods. I have not turned any stabilized woods yet. What I want to try to do is turn the wood to pretty close to the shape I want. That way I can have the wood stabilized or try it myself. I think it would use less resin and cost less that way. I am really new to playing with the stabilization process but looking forward to experimenting with different acrylics and things. I have three different type acrylics liquefied and ready to try as soon as my parts show up to finish my experimentation chamber. I think trying to do this process is going to be pretty fun, since I am not counting on it that it will work.

Rich: Be sure to turn your stock a little over sized before stabilizing. Highly figured woods and burls have a tendancey to warp slightly during the stabilization and curing process. We've had a few sticks come back from stabilizing that looked they were trying to crawl out the door!! Have fun, let us know how your experiments work out!
Steve

Hi Steven, Thank you for your advice. I just went and answered the door to find the UPS truck driving away. He left a large piece of Amboyna Burl I ordered from @#$%&. Wow, nice grain. It seems like pretty dense wood. Amboyna burl may be my first try at stabilizing. I will post what happens with my attempts with stabilizing. Have to go, have a little wood to turn. Have a great day, Rich.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/2007 03:45PM by Rich Gassman.

I have to vote the same as the others--12" X 1.5" X 1.5". That allows for consistent grain, a 4" piece for the insert, then an 8" piece for the grip. (Granted, most folks don't turn an 8" fly grip, but it's nice to have a little extra for a fighting butt, or winding check.)

I'm interested in these stabilized woods: cherry burl, maple burl, amboyna burl, redwood burl, buckeye burl and black ash burl. For non-stabilized woods, I'm interested in all the rosewoods, osage orange, tiger maple, bubinga, and ebony.

It seems there would be a fairly large demand for larger stabilized wood blanks, at least for rod building anyway. The reason I have never tried it is because all that I can usually find is for pen blanks, bottle stoppers or duck calls. I do have a professionally stabilized unmatched set of stabilized wood on its way. I want to see how it machines, turnes, buffs. Have a great day, Rich.

In the past, I purchased my wood stabilized and labeled from Andy Dear of Lamar Manufacturing, but he doesn't carry this product any longer. Here is my present method in obtaining the stabilized wood I use. I mainly build rods (casting,spinning, and fly) for fresh water fishing (usually for bass). I obtain the wood from www.cuecomponents.com--you can get the sizes that are mentioned above and larger if needed. Once I received the wood, I send it off to be stabilized (www.stabiizedwood.com). Please don't wipe out the supply of wood --I may still need to order some more.

Steve, after ordering several of your reel seat stabilizing woods I would concur on the sizes suggested. I have a favorite if you could obtain it and that is california buckeye.

Due to the photo postings of Stan Grace and others, I'm stuck on Juniper. Beatiful wood. Although plentiful on the left coast, I've had real problems finding anyone willing to ship to the east. If you had that and also Mesquite, I'd definately be interested.

Bill in WV