Thanks for the really great article on the Faux Finishing for grips. I'm not artist but I think I can do some geometric patterns with this idea. Thanks again. Really unique stuff.

You are welcome for the thank you on the article and the compliments. I enjoyed putting it together and hope that you and some of the other Rodmaker Magazine subscribers will find it useful for rod building efforts. I'm not an artist either but do stumble onto some interesting looks mostly by accident. At times it seems like I'm back in grade school finger painting. My issue hasn't arrived yet but I really like the cover shot that Tom took for the issue and posted on the RodMaker Magazine Blog.

Hi Ross,

I just received the magazine yesterday and read it cover to cover while I was applying and turning my first coat of rod build by hand. I too was very interested in the Faux Finishing and truly enjoyed it. I was wondering what problems you were having if any when turning the whole rod with your drill lathe? Did you need to do anything special so the rod won't oscillate and destroy itself?

Thanks Once Again!

Chester

May your line be tight and your beverages be cold!

" I was wondering what problems you were having if any when turning the whole rod with your drill lathe? Did you need to do anything special so the rod won't oscillate and destroy itself? Thanks Once Again! Chester"

Chester,
I don't turn the whole rod very often on my lathe since I prefer to shape handles before gluing them on the blank. I use steel mandrels about 20" long which eliminates most of the oscillation problems. When doing the painted handles this allows for the best fit and finish result with the cleanest looking joints at the reel seat ends after glue-up. When I have to shape cork that is already glued to the blank, I try to support the rod in two or three places to cut down on the vibration chatter.

Hi Ross,

You know what, I had your article mixed up with another article in the same issue. I was thinking about the handle replacement article in which the author was using a drill lathe to remove the old handle. I'm going to have to post that question in a new topic.

Thanks much for reading my reply and posting to it.

Chester

May your line be tight and your beverages be cold!