Chris: Another thing that will be helpful is RodMaker magazine and if you don't already have one, the book by Tom Kirkman. There are also cd's available. In some areas of the country you can find gatherings of rod builders and you will learn quite a bit from attending them. John Bumstead
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James: I have both RPM motors I got from FlexCoat years ago. I don't really have a preference for either speed. John
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Jay: The tables I use are 60" long by 18" deep. I have two of them end to end and attached by cabinet clamps that are mounted underneath and they pull each table together. This has worked for me for 20 plus years. John
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Neil: One of my fondest memories is having breakfast with all the gentlemen you mentioned and of course Jim and his son-in-law, David, Al G., and you at Perkins the Monday morning after the seminar. I sure do miss those days. John
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Aftco unibutts? John
Forum: rodboard

Jeff: Try making up your own design. Some graph paper and a pencil is all you need. Each line of squares on the X axis represents the threads you use to make the letters, and each line of squares on the Y axis represent the threads that wrap around the blank. John
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Barry: i don't know what they are made from, but I have several old bamboo boat rods they are on. John
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Tom: I have one that is just a little over 0.7 if that helps. John
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Phil: I'll bet you are right! I have an old Pflueger SAL-TROUT No. 1558. The reel is about 5 3/4" in diameter and loaded with over a hundred yards of solid copper line (wire). Perhaps I should get on the bandwagon and pair that reel with one of my older bamboo surf rods that is 10' long and market the whole outfit as the latest in a sinking fly line rig. Thanks for all the replies gents.
Forum: rodboard

Good morning: I have been seeing an advertisement on TV for Symbicort. They show a grandfather, son and grandson releasing a fish. They also show the grandfather carrying a rod I have never seen the likes of. It looks to be five and a half to six feet long with what looks to be two single foot spinning guides and a tip. The reel looks like a Great Lakes trolling reel. Any ideas? Thanks, John
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I've used RIT dye for dyeing epoxy winding checks. John
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Jason: I might have what you are looking for. John
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I have an attic above my garage. In the past, I have hung some old bamboo rods by the tip and on others, I have leaned them 'against the bow' and just left them there. Of course, I wasn't in any hurry to use them. John
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Tom: If a subscriber were to pay postage to return the questionnaire to you, would that save you that cost? John
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Larry: Merrick Tackle used to carry National thread in variegated. You could look at their site. John
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Hunter: Perhaps the directory on this site can help you locate a rod builder in your area. The thread is probably silk and the finish is most likely varnish. Both of these are readily available. John
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Fred: You might find these for sale on places like the buy/sell pages on this site, but in my opinion, they might damage the newer graphite blanks that are on the market now. John
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Tom: Thanks for posting this notice about Jesse. I guess I met him in 1995 or 1996. I was really impressed with his encapsulated hosels and still have a few he made for me. I'll miss him. John
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I have Safari and it doesn't show up either. John
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David: The one I use has a piece of aluminum angle with a clear ruler tape that serves as the straight edge over the center of the groove routed in the base. The back side of the jig has two slots that allow the piece of angle to be raised or lowered onto the blank. Mine is made from 3/4 stock. Poplar, I'm almost sure. John
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David: Send me an email. John
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Steve: I was told to mount AFTCO rollers so the writing was toward the angler. John
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Jesse: One of these days I want to come to the shop. I keep having hopes of visiting some OLD friends in your area and if I do, I will be sure to drop in. Do you still keep a pot of coffee on? John
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Christopher: I use the Madeira FS metallics, but only in decorative wraps. I don't use it for guide wraps. John
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Billy: I'm here and this thing is still a confuser. I really hope that there are lots of the younger builders like yourself. It is what the craft needs. I had an old boss who liked to say 'We did it that way in 1945 and we are going to do it that way now." Bummy
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Michael: I use vinyl electrical tape. It stretchs quite well and the adhesive isn't that sticky. John
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Chris: In the past, when ordering a blank and guides from the same company, I asked for the "tip to fit". It came out perfect every time. John
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I agree Doc. It has always been my impression that CP is needed on NCP thread, not for color rentention, but to release bubbles. Something in the manufacture of NCP introduces lots of bubbles if you just apply finish directly to it. John
Forum: rodboard

Jesse: I am looking at one of the first hosels I ever bought from you. it must have been ten years or so ago. The underwrap is green metallic, overwrapped with a black and gold diamond pattern which is bisected with a black/gold single thread. The pin is a flounder. In looking at the hosel sideways, I can see that the FlexCoat has turned amber, but in sunlight it is hardly noticeable. I'll bu
Forum: rodboard

Jack: Does the EVA already have a hole bored through the center? Are you just cutting to length? If so, spin the EVA and cut it with a piece of fishing line. Mono, braided, etc. John
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