what guides do I use on graphite rod blanks so I wont get cracking at the guide foot? I read on here that graphite rod+steel guides= cracking.I just put my first coat on the threads of my fly rod.will this happen on light flyrods and ice rods?

The more flexible the guides, either at the foot itself or through a top-hinging guide design, will help reduce the tendency of finish cracking at the foot edge. But, you will not find any guides that are not at least stiffer than any blank. So, the finish is likely to crack at any high flex areas.

Until we have some nylon/graphite framed guides, this problem will not be eliminated.

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Mr. Kirkman appears to be quite subtle in his request for "real" research and development! Sure hope Messrs: Brown, Batson and Mehan see this post. Gon Fishn

Scott,
For your ice rods or smaller diameter blanks, it may be you'll want to grind the feet thinner. Taking off the excess metal may not provide that much further flexibility, but may help in providing more thread wrap surface area over the amount of thick guide feet. Just be careful that the edges don't sharpen to the point of cutting the thread.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel