Hi Guys,
Got a question. I just received a new rod blank 7'1" It has a very rough finish, like its still wrapped with material that has not been finished. An overlapping spiral up the blank. I'm just starting out and have never seen this before. Its very weird. I can only imagine if I try to wrap guides I won't be able to pack the threads, its that noticeable. Thanks for the input guys

Dace.

What kind of blank? Who makes it and the model number?

Lance Schreckenbach Wrote:
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> What kind of blank? Who makes it and the model
> number?

I'd kinda like to keep the manufacturer out of it. I can tell you they are very reputable and if its on them, i'll contact them. Just don't want to throw them under the bus if it turns out I'm an idiot. Its a 7'1" spinning rod blank mod/fast. The surface of the blank feel like saw teeth.

That's normal with blanks that are not sanded prior to finishing. What you are seeing and feeling are the natural ridges of resin formed by the shrink wrap as the blank was "cooking." When the tape is stripped off those ridges remain.

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Looking at it again, its seems rougher if you run your thumb from the butt to the tip but smoother from tip to butt. and its real noticeable at the tip. It wasn't a prime blank it was in a priced right kit. Maybe I'll order another one and see. I could always use another rod or 6.

Dace.

Tom Kirkman Wrote:
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> That's normal with blanks that are not sanded
> prior to finishing. What you are seeing and
> feeling are the natural ridges of resin formed by
> the shrink wrap as the blank was "cooking." When
> the tape is stripped off those ridges remain.
>
> ............

Oh. Can I sand it off? Will there be any damage to the blank? Or should I send it back?

I have an unfinished blank from NFC, one of the Delta models I am about to start working on. This blank has ridges running the length of the rod as well, like Tom said its the resin from when the blank was formed. I actually kinda like the look of the rod, it's different from the smooth graphite on the rest of my rods. Not to hijack, but it maybe helpful for the original poster as well, not interested in sanding the blank. Not having wrapped on an unfinished blank like what we both have, should I be changing to size D thread rather than the A I have, or will the ridges have no impact on the wrap itself. Again don't wanna hijack the topic, thought it may help us both.

Jay Burns Wrote:
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> I have an unfinished blank from NFC, one of the
> Delta models I am about to start working on. This
> blank has ridges running the length of the rod as
> well, like Tom said its the resin from when the
> blank was formed. I actually kinda like the look
> of the rod, it's different from the smooth
> graphite on the rest of my rods. Not to hijack,
> but it maybe helpful for the original poster as
> well, not interested in sanding the blank. Not
> having wrapped on an unfinished blank like what we
> both have, should I be changing to size D thread
> rather than the A I have, or will the ridges have
> no impact on the wrap itself. Again don't wanna
> hijack the topic, thought it may help us both.

Hi Jay, Yeah, I kinda like the finish too, I was just curious about the finish on it. I was going to use size D thread anyway but I still think its going to be hard to pack the threads. I was thinking maybe after I get my guide spacing I would run some epoxy around the blank only in those locations the guides are going. I've got plenty of Urethane Spar Varnish, I could build up those areas pretty good.

Why don't you just ask the manufacturer?

I've wrapped 2 Deltas and an X-Ray from NFC . The ridges had no affect at all. I used mostly A size metallic thread on the butt wraps. And A size ncp on the guides.

Perfect, was planning to use Fuji NCP Size A on the wrap, didn't think there would be an issue, figured I would ask. Thanks Steven.

Why do I feel like I'm at a car show wearing a blindfold?

Get a sanding block with 120 grit and go to town on it. Knock off the high spots and then drop down to a finer grit like 220. It'll only take about 15 minutes to come up with a nice smooth blank just like from the factory.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Ridges are cool.

I'm confused. Why not just mention the manufacturer so we can tell you if it's supposed to be that way or not? I know Point Blank and NFC have rods that are unsanded or only partially sanded. I like the look and feel. I know you can sand it off to get the blank smooth like Dennis mentioned. I had no issues wrapping guides onto my NFC X-Ray Blank with ridges.

Why not just try a test wrap ? First hand experience is always the best experience.

I remember the old solid fiberglass rods/blanks came with a healthy dose of slivers, give me ridges any day.

I remember the old solid fiberglass rods/blanks came with a healthy dose of slivers, give me ridges any day.

For many years Shakespeare "Wonder Rods" had spiral ridges. It was their trademark. They sold piles of them.

Some consider a sanded blank to be weaker than the non sanded ones (sanding, if not done perfectly, can damage the outer graphite fibers). Others like a sanded blank because removing the resin results in a lighter, faster speed blank.

Unhanded blanks often cost a bit less because there is less labor involved - a step has been saved. But this is not a defect nor does it overly affect rod performance.

I wouldn't recommend any builder trying to hand sand a non sanded rod blank. Not much room for error near the fine diameter tips.

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