Not much happening on the forums the past few weeks. I guess everybody is fishing and that’s great, but I have a project and ANGLERS?RESOURCE NEEDS YOUR?HELP.

The project code name is ”Area 51”, a clandestine off-site location near downtown Foley where we are currently planning a hidden ”research facility” designed to answer any and all questions that may come up about Fuji and/or other products Anglers Resource may choose to carry. (Not very secret anymore, I guess)

As the project came into focus we realized that we had a HUGE base of knowledge to tap into on the Rodbuilding forum and since we have never done anything like this before it makes sense to let you guys offer input along the way.

It’s a cool opportunity from the standpoint that we want to consider YOUR input in designing the space. What we propose to do is: 1) Ask your opinion. 2) Digest the answers and 3) Proceed with the solution we feel best fits the space and goal of the project.

Unfortunately, we don’t have an unlimited budget, so ”shoestring” suggestions will likely win the day. Still, we want it to be a nice hideaway where important work can be done.

The project will be constantly photographed as we progress, and I will establish a running album of images here and on our Facebook page.

The space is approximately 30ft X 18ft and will include:

1) A rod building area set up to accommodate instructional videos

2) A mini photo studio area for close-up guide photography

3) A blank measuring board

4) A white board and seminar/conference area

5) A lathe and reamer room (off the main area)

6) A couch and a frig!

Here is the actual space..[www.rodbuilding.org]

Here is a proposed blueprint for the space..[www.rodbuilding.org]


First question:
WHAT AM I FORGETTING???

Jump in guys...this could be fun.

When it is and where it is!!

It's in Foley, AL, near our offices. We hope to have it completed by the end of June. It won't be open to the public, but we can sneak you in the next time you're in Gulf Shores. Hope I didn't lead anyone to think it's a store front. Strictly a research dept for Anglers Resource.

Sounds like you will have fun with it. I still have some guides that Mr Omura gave me at the 1984 AFTMA show and a 1982/83 catalog in both Japanese and English.

Jim, Nice space. I hope you didn't forget some good overhead lighting at your wrapping station and a dust collection system at the lathe. A 1" belt sander for guide dressing? A bench vise? What no spray booth? Ha Ha Ha, boy Jim , your one lucky guy!

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Jim,

Do you work with your wrapper headstock to the right or left? In the current configuration you have unrestricted length if the headstock is to the right, but not the left.

I would also recommend you consider the possibility of a sliding wrapper and fixed person vs fixed wrapper and moving person.

Don't put ceiling fans in it - they eat blanks for lunch.

If you can, have plenty of head room and length in your building area to allow easy manipulation of long blanks.

Use a white floor in the building area so that you can find the micro guides you drop.

Check out the cost difference for 30 x 24 feet. Every time I've done something along these lines I've wished I hadn't been so shortsighted in not going a little bigger. You may find the difference isn't as much as you think.

Overhead lighting is pretty good. Lathe area will be isolated in a separate room, sealed with plastic and have dust collection. Recently added a small belt knife sharpener from Cabela's and it is the cat's a** for guide feet and knives. [www.cabelas.com]
Bench vise is a good idea

John, I'm a headstock to the left guy which as you mention is wrong for this table. Very good point, I may rethink the layout although I would be surprised if I had something over 10 feet that was 1 piece.

Michael...the space is a "gift" of sorts. Owned and unused for years so the company will utilize it. I will not be looking a gift horse in the mouth. No ceiling fans, a sort of low ceiling and carpet that's guaranteed to eat size 4 KT's!

Jim, is your finishing going to be done in the same room as wrapping? If so, I would get rid of the carpet. It will have dust and fibers in it that will assuredly end up in your finish!!

I love the idea from John. "
I would also recommend you consider the possibility of a sliding wrapper and fixed person vs. fixed wrapper and moving person." Interesting idea if a person has space for it. A universal slide that could be used under any wrapping device would be nice!!

you are going to need a number of these [www.staples.ca] (chair pads). They may help with finding the micros

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON