Issues? LMAO. The hard stuff I focus on, that comes out "perfect" (in quotes on perfect nothing is perfect...more like, acceptable). Other things. like putting decals, you would think I never had a Colorform kite (old school reference!!) when I was a kid, lol. I hack a lot of things, just like everyone one. My favorite recent one - I did a rod for a guy 3 years ago, he never picked it up. I gave the rod to my friend sinc ehe said he could sell it. He calls me up telling me the grip is sliding around. Sure enough, I extended the rod with a blank up the butt, used masking tape to build up the blank behind the extension, and he said there was minimal if any epoxy under the entire back end of the grip. I dunno, it was fine when it sat in my rack for 3 years, lol.

PS - I still use tape to build up the diameter difference, but I now leave a gap and slather epoxy everywhere, I made this change about a year ago because...the same thing happened on another rod.

That is why I - trust no ones finish on there blanks -- I have repaired seats where the glue stuck to the inside of the seat - stuck to the finish on the blank

But the finish did not stick to the blank So the seat loosened

Now I always Scrap any finish off and ruff up the inside of whatever I am gluing onto the blank

Don't like - Come Backs

Bill - willierods.com

Hi Billy,
I think the best thing about all this is that your man enough to admit you made a mistake, a lot of others wouldn't. Most of the guys on this forum probaly would but all the builders aren't here. Your statements will give a lot a newer builders a big shot in the arm and increase their confidence.
Keep up the great work you do and I hope you do really well out of rodbuilding. It's not an easy way to make a living.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

It is what it is, everyone hacks things up from time to time. I had a customer come pick up a rod 2 weeks ago, he drove 1 1/2 hours and spent $11 on a toll. He gets here picks the rod up, an dI run line through the guides. Grab the line & pull as he holds it, and I'm looking at the guides. Spiral wrapped. Hmm, what the @#$%&!! I say to him Scott - do you see what's wrong with the rod? He looks and says no. I say look closely .... still can't see it. I did a spiral wrap with the stripper straight on the 0 axis, the next trans guide on teh side, teh next trans guide on teh 0 axis, and the running guide on the 180. I had a NERBs workshop the day bfore, 6 people were playing with the rod, nobody noticed. I took teh rod back, took $80 off the price and rewrapped the guide. Irponically, teh jigging rods that started this thread are his rods too!! lol.

PS - this same guy have a Hercules inshore Heavy I wrapped for him with an Accurate with Jerry brown line, $1100+ set up, that he dropped overboard. I rewrapped him another Inshore Lite for my cost of components. So when I tell him about the miscues he kind of laughs and shakes his head. What can you do, stuff happens.

Hi Billy,
Yes, stuff certainly does happen and it's not always the best or how you intended, usually happens when your mind is not on the job 100%. My worst one was on a blank given to me by my late son. Made more stupid mistakes and more things went wrong than I care to remember. Ended up using 3/4 of a spool of madeira just for the underbindings. The forum is a good place to get things off your chest and we can all learn from other builders misadventures.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

maybe i'm the only one to do this ,but i have not seen it mentioned-does anybody else use a small dot of hot glue(not tip glue) on the feet?i've been doing this for years now,i don't remember where i picked up the trick or from whom,but it works great,just don't slather it on ,a small dab is perfect.

www.southriverrodsllc.com

Flex Coat guide foot adhesive. I use this on micro guides. If you go to FC website youcan see how they use it in one of their videos.

never really noticed the FC in the catalogues,wasn't looking for it either,thanks billy.the stuff i use is off the shelf at jo-anns,get 10 stcks for like 5$,i think i'vehad my latest bag for about 3 years.

www.southriverrodsllc.com

Same stuff, it's a low temp glue stick. Tip top adhesive, is a higher temp glue stick. FC is really innovative, and I'm not being sarcastic, Roger has a lot of great ideas.

Hi Billy:
I had the same phantom pushing guides offline as well.....absolutely no idea how it happens, but i fixed it...
when i have them straight the first time, I put a drop of superglue on the wrap where the guide also gets a bit. jobs done,,,,havent had the problem since..