What do you do when the diameter of the rod is smaller than the width of the guide foot?

Grind/sand the guide foot until it's the width you desire.

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Thanks Tom that's what I thought

Be careful not to thin the "ankle" where the foot bends up to form the guide stem too much or you can weaken the guide significantly leading to failure.

I am using microwave guides and i compared them to the rod if i file off the arrow shape and a little more they will be small enough. I will have to do this to at least the first 4 guides.

It'll be fine. Just be careful not to overheat the metal.

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Ok will use a file and stone so it doesnt get hot. Never saw a tip so thin almost afraid to touch it.lol

Paul,
I use a 1X30 belt sander to both prep the guide and thin the width if necessary.
I make a guide holder using a bolt, blank and nut to hold the guide. Much easier than trying to hold the bare guide.

I normally use 220 grit paper on the sander. It just take a couple of seconds to either prep guides or thin the width if it is needed:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Roger

Paul, how thin is thin? I thought Sage ONE tip sections were thin, but sounds like you are working with one that is thinner that that. The ONE uses a 3.5 tip top and that appears large.

Jerry

The tip is 2/64 solid. It is on the Phenix Iron Feather a xtra fast UL 7' 7" I like the feel but it is just a blank will wait until its finished to see how soft it gets. I will say I really like Phenix rods.

Paul
have you played with the Elixer Ultra blanks I was wondering if they are as stated Fast and Extra fast
I was looking at the 3 wts
Thanks

Bill - willierods.com

I would rate them as fast not xtra fast. Would definately make a nice low weight fly rod. I have two spinning setups and love them



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2013 04:33PM by Paul Luechtefeld.

Thanks for the info
Got to put one on my cart

Bill - willierods.com