I'd like to thank the 12 builders who came out yesterday for hte NJ NERBs gathering. We spent about 8 hours covering, in great detail several grip inlay techniques (simple trim, Herringbone, elliptical, spider web), cork tape trimmings, decorative wraps, Micro guides, and surf spinning rod guide placement techniques. We actually constructed several grips from scratch our of foam blocks, bored, turned and reamed them to size.

Teh NERBs are doen for 2008 with gatherings, and have already started filling up spots for several gatehrings set for 2009. If oyu are interested in attending, contributing, or being part of The NERBs, send me an e-mail at xlrods@yahoo.com.

I was one of the guys that was lucky enough to attend yesterday. This was my first meeting, and for sure won't be my last.
The amount of knowledge that Billy and the others have is awesome. Not to mention the beautiful display of rods, grips, and blanks.

Got so many tips and techniques, I was up at 5am spinning threads in my shop so I wouldn't forget the things Billy was nice enough to
show me late in the day. Once I finished that, I was onto figuring out where to put another bench for a band saw and lathe! My eyes were opened to the endless possibilities with cork-wood-foam thanks to Billy's demos.

Paul Rimbeck (who was nice enough to host the meeting in his VERY well equipped shop) also deserves a big thanks. I "stole" a lot of ideas on what a real shop should look like. Also a very talented builder, his "terapin" was something to see.

A very nice bunch of guys, awesome talent, and all very willing and able to teach and share what they know.

Thanks.


Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2008 01:18PM by Jim Pizzale.

If you were to come to Florida................ SERBS maybe? Could be a good location for such a thing.

Billy, after attending the midwest Nerbs event I can only imagine the talent at the NJ meeting. I really need to make it out there for a meeting some time.

Just got an e-mail from Paul, which contained a new EVA grip he put together today based on teh prsentation yesterday. Also checked another forum and saw a really sweet wrap somoene did from teh LI Gatehring. It's great to see stuff like that!!

Jim, it was great meeting you, I look foward to seeing some more of your work. ITs' great to see you were up so late goign over some of that stuff, I didn't get home until 10:30 last night, andother 14 hour day at the "office", lol. ITs' always nice to see guys stay late and have questions to ask, and to hear they went home and practiced is just great!!

SERBs...no such thing - The NERBs are worldwide, we are a state of mind, not a location. WOuld love to do gatehrings everywhere, time and money is limited though. Curt Baker & I think Teri Cheatham currently do rod building functions on a monthly basis. Both are really nice people and very knowledgeable. If you can find their info and hook up with them, I think you'd be in for a treat.

Sure wish those meetings were in NC. would have loved to have been there for the surf spinning rod guide placement discussion. Exactly what I need right now trying to get this 9 1/2 ft rod setup correctly.

You can have one of us show you how at the Expo (the world's largest rod building event) in February, or visit my shop anytime and I'll be happy to help you with it.

We also have several small, informal gatherings here in NC each year. The last was at JP Timberlake's house back in May or so.

Where are you located?

...........

I'm located in Charlotte and will definitely be at the show in February and will be bringing 4 other first time builders with me. they all want to build fly rods so I figured the best place for them to pick out their blanks and components would be the show. wouldn't miss the show for anything. I would love the opportunity to actually come by and check out your shop and get some pointers on setting up the rod, that is a fantastic offer that I will definintely not turn down. Will shoot you an email to see when you are free. THANKS!!!!

I'll be happy to help any time.