Just curious as to the normal standards. When a builder orders a 7' blank, what do most of you concider acceptable when you get them? I know they're not exactly the size you order, but do you concider 1" short ok? or 2" short acceptable. Just curious. I don't have a problem with a short blank, I know a butt cap and a tip will make up for most short blanks. What would be your limit?
Thanks,
Jeff

It should be very close. Perhaps an inch less, or an inch more, but even better, right on the money. Two inches shy seems, to me anyway, a bit out of spec.

Different companies may have different quality control standards for length. For whatever it might be worth, I just checked 5 blanks I have here from a well known blank maker and every one of them is within 1/4 inch of the stated spec length.

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

Hello Jeff

Personally I would not accept a short rod if it is short by the tip, at the but an inch or two maybe if it does not effect the action or power to much.

Have a good weekend.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Well, these aren't "HIGH-END" blanks, but I was starting to think that I was becoming too critical. Started to think it was part of the rod building disease..... :)
The blanks are in the $20 range and I know that's not expensive, but my customers are not "HIGH-END" either. Guess maybe I'll just have to deal with it or upgrade blanks and pass on the cost.
I did contact the supplier and he did phone me about this and basically told me " you get what you get"....:( Not the answer I had hoped for, but like I said, guess I'll have to deal with it or upgrade.
Thanks Tom & Bob,
Jeff



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2011 11:02AM by Jeff Davis.

Again it comes down to what you're buying. Are these first quality name brand blanks? Or a sales item of discontinued, no-name models? They may indeed be great bargains and build into fantastic rods, but generally I wouldn't expect the bargain, no name stuff to be dead on spec. First quality, name brand, header tagged blanks, yes.

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

Exactly 84 inches.

Roger

If you're customer has a 7' rod locker it had better be 7' after you add a tip and rear grip. If it's for you, I wouldn't sweat it. Plus or minus an inch. Life is too short!

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

You get what you pay for. If you're buying 'seconds', expect them to be 'seconds'. Some imperfection made them this way.

If you're buying top of the line blanks, expect them to be pretty close; like an 1/4 of an inch.

You are correct in that you can do wonders with a butt cap.

Better yet; buy a 'blank stretcher' JMHO C2

I have my blank stretcher right beside my board stretcher, I get them confused all the time.

As long as the customer doesn't mind the variance, go with it and keep trucking. If/once it becomes a problem with the customers, I would find a more consistent vendor/manufacturer. (assuming these are not 2nds)

Robert

Ohhhh..... a blank stretcher ...... found next to the blinker fluid in the auto parts store?

______________________________________
Super Tight Lines......Don

Hi,

7' should be 7'! Seeker does send out blanks that may be a couple inches longer. Years ago I had an order for 6 identical rods using the same model Seeker blank. Not knowing any better I built the rods. Along the way I realised that they were not all the same length. OOOOPS!!! My mistake. Years later at a show I had the opportunity to talk with the President of Seeker and asked him why? His answer was that many rod builders appreciate getting the extra length so they can fine tune the blank action by trimming for the length. So they were not trimming the trips.

I like it as now I can trim the tip of the blank for a proper tip fitting and size.

Capt Neil Faulkner

Hi Jeff,
2133mm
NA, even after 45 years of being metric a 7ft blank will always be 7ft, with or without the blank stretcher.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

I have two blanks from different companies next to my desk. One is an overstock. I just checked them. One is a 2-pc, and is 1/8 inch over spec, the other is 1/2 inch short. This is within the norm.

For $20.00 blanks Add what you need to the butt and build Or get high end customers

Bill - willierods.com

NFC 7 foot blanks are 6'11 1/2 inches long and if you get one that not exactly that, let me know.

Jon

Thanks Jon.... and everyone for their 2 cents... :)
Jeff

Jon Bial Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NFC 7 foot blanks are 6'11 1/2 inches long and if
> you get one that not exactly that, let me know.
>
> Jon


So what if I want a 7' blank? Get a 7'-6" and cut it?

Or add a half inch ????

Bill - willierods.com

Is a half inch really going to make that much of a difference?

Rufus
Port Saint Lucie, FL

If you want a 7 foot blank Yes or just extend the handle one ring over the blank butt end

Bill - willierods.com