We at Backlash would like to ask rod builders a question:

What specialty rod building tool or tools would you buy if it was available?

Lynn Williams
Backlash Tools
[www.backlashtools.com]

A treadcarriage for the pac-bay wrapper that actual slides well and has a "quick-change" mechanism
(getting tired of fumbling with them wingnuts)

A Doc Ski weaving robot

I've always hated grinding and shaping guide feet. Although I've gotten good at it and have tools that make it as easy as possible, I'd pay a good money for an automatic guide foot grinder.

Such a thing is available for scissors and knives. Some have stationairy stones while others have oppossing, spinning stones. If the latter could be made for guide feet, with the stones properly set and shaped so that any size or shape guide foot would be quickly reduced to the same taper, shape, etc., you'd have a winner.

No doubt, this might be relatively expensive compared to most simple rod building tools, but the market might justify the required price. I think it would be a good sell. I've given it a lot of thought over the years but just haven't taken the time to tinker with designing one.

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Glad you asked!

I'm new at this, but If a Rod Wrapper was available, similar to Pac Bay/American Tackle's power wrapper, that had a motor that was position adjustable so I could take up slack at the belt tension and a finishing motor with variable speed from 200 rpm down to 10 rpm or so (via a rheostat to allow for continous operation) and an indexed attachment for cross wraps. I would jump on it.


Roy

How about the little grinder for grinding dog toenails. I have seen it advertised on TV. That might be a starting place.

I second Toms motion on inventing a tool for guide foot....I use a Dremel belt sander but the ideas Tom has sounds like the way to go.

I made a tool for finding degrees [for spiral wraps] that fits into the reel seat with a small hole in it for running line thru to static test which works but could use alot of yankee enginuety {spelling}.

Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred

Jan. If your looking for a "quick- change" mechanism go to the photo page and go to page (4) and you will see the paper clips used instead of wing nuts.After I seen that photo,I purchased some and I use them on my thread carriage for the pac-bay.They work really neat. Also what kind of trouble are you having with the carriage not sliding well???<<<<DON>>>>

A tool for inletting EVA & cork for KDPS sizes 16 and 17.

Alfonso,

That tool already exists and it's adjustable for a wide range of seat hoods. Try Black Dog Tackle to the left.

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I can't find it in their catalog, Tom. I saw one called 'Cutter Grip Inletting Tool' that's sold by Mud Hole but the description does not mention if it can be used on EVA.

Roy,
Look at the pulley wheel on the power wrapper you have and see if there are raised lines
dissecting the wheel into pie segments. Those are axis indicators for help in doing cross-wraps.

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

I don't see it on Black Dog either Tom. I think the inletting tool from Mudhole is the one used to bore the inlet for fly seats in the back of a cork grip.

Now, tool wise, I think a holding jig for cutting the grip form in cork/EVA for the SBS, IPS and VSS seats would definitely be a good one. Also second the grinding tool for guide feet.
A lockable chuck for the Pac Bay/AmTak/Batson rod lathe, with indexing is another fancy want.

I'm with Tom on this one automatic foot grinder

Mud Hole doesn't have it and I was mistaken about Black Dog, sorry. Dan Craft is the one that carries it.

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How about some mixing cups where the raised numbers and lines are actually on the outside of the cup?? This has been a pet peeve of mine for quite some time...

Scott I agree with you. That aggravates me more than anything i have on my bench. Mixing cups that are smooth on the inside, that's what I need. Find them for us Lynn !

If you mean the Crafty cutter, then Mudhole have it listed as well.

Some type of guide alignment aid. That's the most frustrating part of a build for me. I can move one and throw three others out of whack.

Chris
put the tip top on first, then go down the blank and align each guide with that. Just make sure the top is aligned correctly.

Scott
Use a shot glass. They can be washed out easy.