Hello All.

What I was thinking was a raised(3" or so) laser on the reel seat pointing down toward the tip.(Hard to explain)
Now I am using a "Black & Decker; BDL200S Laser Level" just sitting on the reel seat and it is not that great because it moves around, but if I get it too stay still it is then useful as it has two level tubes(one vertical, one horizontal).

Tight Wraps.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

I would like to see a power wrapper with a reverse on the motor. This would be great for cork with a tool rest. And also to be able to back up if a thread happens to jump over while wrapping.

Tom

Bel Air, Maryland



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2013 04:11PM by Tom Wewerka.

Tom Bell,

A fiberoptic line only emits light from the end. For what you are describing (at least what I see in my mind), a high vis line would work well. Get your hands on some Trilene Big Game in the Solar Green color. Do your little static test outside, and the line will light up like you wouldn't believe (more so in sunlight than indoors). When fishing it, it looks like a fly line laying on the water. The other option would be to see if you could get a fiberoptic sight and get the magnet to stick to the tip top or make a jig to hold it in place and use it to assist your eyes on alignment.

Joe

Mark Newcombe Wrote:
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> Titanium Microwave Guides, and a list from
> suppliers with winding check measurements similar
> to the mhx size sheets for other Blank brands.


Mark
I received an email today from American Tackle. You request has been granted. The Tidal Wave guide system !!! A titanium coated microwave guide system

Tom

I've tried to come up with a guide alignment tool using different types of lasers, but as mentioned above I had the same problems - plus a few more. As we know most if not all rod blanks are not 100% straight and no matter where I placed the laser (reel seat, tip or above the blank) i couldn't get the blank straight enough for the laser or the guides blocked the laser beam or both.

A couple of years ago I did come up with a guide alignment tool (TaperLine Tool) that would mark a straight line down the blank, and can be used to mark the lines or marks for buttwraps. The tool is designed to hold the blank straight as it marks down the blank. The "TaperLine Tool" may be available in the future. I'll try to post a few photos.

Tom and I talked about the “automatic guide foot grinder/preparer tool” probably 4 or 5 years ago. Since then I have experimented with many different ideas and prototypes. Among the problems with this tool that I've run into (the biggest problem) is getting the automatic guide foot grinder to grind and prepare guides from the smallest guide foot (like micro guides), to the larger guides (such as roller guides), and all the different sizes and shapes in between, while still being cost affective to sell at a descent price.

Thomas;
The best trick I've found for lining up guides was given to me by Mr Kirkman, that was to use bright orange fly lines.

been using them ever since first started playing with Micro guides and works great.
Although I use it for spiral wraps, It would work just as well with conventional setups

(while mounted in the wrapper) Tape one end to the line top dead center of the reel seat, run through guides then I pull taunt and clamp the other end in a fly tying wise mounted at the other end of the rod table centered with the tip. and adjust the guides accordingly.

With a crooked blank I just flex it straight.
The fly line being pulled straight lets me know where the crooks are and also lets me know when I have the blank flexed straight



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2013 06:07PM by Steve Gardner.

Here's a few photos of the Guide alignment tool.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Thanks for the replies. The ideas freely expressed on this sight are wonderful.

I bet a black light would make a large diameter solar line light up great, seemed to work good on the old Velvet Elvis's!!

I've never tried a fly line but I did try an orange braided nylon running line (the same line I use for static tests). A fly line would work much better and I will try it out.

Lynn, If you ever get that out commercial I'll be first in line. Is the marker solvent based?

TJB

G'Day All I know this is off topic but I thought I would post on how I align my guides using a Laser . I have a Laser that I use to make sure that the blank is parallel to the bed of the wrapper .When I have finished wrapping I rotate the blank until the guides are at 90" to the perpendicular & then place my Laser back in position & the laser will pick any Guides that are off centre & I can then move the offending ones into their correct position .I should also mention that the is tripod mounted on the floor .

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

An iPad version of rodmaker Magazine. The shipping costs make it too expensive in Europe.

Claus Bech-Petersen Wrote:
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> An iPad version of rodmaker Magazine. The shipping
> costs make it too expensive in Europe.


That's an excellent idea (which probably has been discussed before...I don't know).

Claus Bech-Petersen Wrote:
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> An iPad version of rodmaker Magazine. The shipping
> costs make it too expensive in Europe.


X2! (Although not because of shipping)

Thomas, the marker I used in the guide alignment tool was a Pen-Touch extra fine point but I design the tool so it would take most any size marker. Sharpie also came out with a oil-based opaque paint marker extra fine point and it works well too, but remember that both Pen-Touch and Sharpie markers are Permanent markers. I always test a small area on the blank I'm going to use to make sure I can remove the markings, the sanded unfinished blanks is the ones to be really careful with.

Maybe Tom could consider a digital version using of Rodmaker that is viewable but not transferable - this will probably generate a few humorous posts, but similar to how I hear online porn viewing is controlled. You have to have an active account to view what you have purchased.

A Rodmaker app. Download it straight to your electronic device and would make posting and viewing easier on the go. Could also view and activate your Rodmaker issue for those with a subscription.

Ben Stein
American Tackle

Carbon fibre or something similiar for guide frames.

Victor Heal Wrote:
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> Carbon fibre or something similiar for guide
> frames.


Ilike that idea Victor !!!

Tom