Pat Retlich Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks Ryan and Jay for the good info. > I am currently working on two rods now using > @#$%& blanks. I made 2 rods with Janns > Netcraft micro lite blanks that turned out ok but > were a little to light (action) for me. Which blanks? For $7, his power noodle is a bluegill harvesting machine.
Forum: rodboard

look on Ice Shanty.com and In-Depth-Outdoors' forums. Tons and Tons of discussions about custom ice rods and custom ice rod blanks. For my own personal needs, I agree with Ryan, @#$%& and Sportsman's Direct both have a pretty good line-up for very little money.
Forum: rodboard

I believe you're looking for a fingernail bit for your router? If so, I purchase mine on-line through woodworking stores such as Rockler, MLCS and Woodcraft. They're usually around the $20 range, give or take a few bucks. Make sure you order the correct size radius and go with a 1/2" shank so long as your router has a 1/2" collett.
Forum: rodboard

As far as blanks are concerned take a look at Bass Khang's offerings.His power noodle blanks come 36" long so you can cut them down to whatever length you prefer, the tips are light enough to fish gills without a spring bobber and at $7 a piece you can build a bucket full of them for a reasonable price.
Forum: rodboard

I would try and contact Roger Wilson, bet he's got the answer to your question.
Forum: rodboard

I ordered a dead stick from bass khang and it had a real heavy tip with a parabolic bend. Didn't care for it, I chucked it up in my power wrapper and sanded it down into a power noodle blank.
Forum: rodboard

Before I owned a lathe and mandrels I did everything on the blank with a drill motor clamped in a bench vise. I made rod supports out of cardboard boxes. I would push a piece of marine fuel hose onto the male ferrule, 1/4", 5'16", 3/8", whatever fit tight. I would stuff a piece of round stock in the other end of the section of hose and chuck it up in the drill. Now mind you, this w
Forum: rodboard

Spencer Phipps Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > When I was stationed in Cheboygen, Mi. I fished my > G Loomis 1141 with 4 mm match guides, I found out > something that was also mentioned by bass anglers > with their micro guided rods, the guides will ice > up, but also de-ice faster than larger guides, so > it was pretty much a wash. Even i
Forum: rodboard

I have a 70-100 Rikon that I really like. It's 16" between centers which is plenty of room for the longest of grips. It's small enough and light enough that I can pick it up and move it yet heavy enough that it stays put without being anchored to a bench. I'm quite certain you can purchase bed extensions for it if you're getting into baseball bats and shovel handles in the future.
Forum: rodboard

Ice is already here for some and it's coming soon to the rest of us across the Midwest. I've been working on a few new rods for myself for the upcoming season. Last weekend, I wrapped my first "power noodle" and it was a challenge to say the least. After an hour's worth of frustration I absolutely couldn't manage to get the thread started and wrapped on the tip guide. I finally ended u
Forum: rodboard

I use a 41/2" grinder with a cut-off wheel. Quite possibly one of the handiest power tools on earth if you're a fabricator/handyman sort of guy.
Forum: rodboard

Pro Wrap. You can't beat the color selection.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks guys. I ended up using the Elmer's stuff. It didn't really match what was in the existing cork color-wise, but once everything was sanded down and all cleaned up things turned out just dandy.
Forum: rodboard

That's the one I meant, Elmer's! Thanks guys!
Forum: rodboard

That's the one I meant, Elmer's! Thanks guys!
Forum: rodboard

I've never been a fan of filling my cork grips, I honestly prefer the way they look and the texture my grips have without filler. However, I'm reworking a handle and I will need to fill the pits. I've heard of guys using min-wax wood filler. Any idea what color I should use? There's 3-4 different colors that look close, and I'm not certain which to use.
Forum: rodboard

I don't build fly rods, but I've built float rods and spinning rods out of fly blanks. Why couldn't you just go to a 5wt. single hand blank? Lots of inexpensive options there.
Forum: rodboard

If you ask 99% of the float rod builders you will get the same answer. Size 8 running guides for the Great Lakes, with Fuji and Alps ceramics being the most popular brands. Size 8 recoils are also an option, but they receive their share of negative reviews among the centerpin community. All of my personal builds have used size 7 ceramics and if you're careful about keeping your slack off the wate
Forum: rodboard

herb canter Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Darin Goff Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Herb, how do I reach you? Also, I was looking > on > > the CTS website and I don't see that they make > the > > MX anymore. > > > > Herb is the man , really goes out of his way
Forum: rodboard

Elbow grease is the answer my man. If you heat that Pro Paste up with a hair dryer you'll be able to scrape it off fairly easy. i usually use a small piece of scrap hardwood (maple, oak, walnut) about 3/8" thick by 2" wide by 8" long.
Forum: rodboard

Norman Miller Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Jay, I have used both Torzite and Sic KR guides, > and compared then with Alconite KR guides. I will > stick to my statement that Torzite and Sic guides > are over kill in price for the type of fishing I > do and most other freshwater and light salt water > anglers do. If you are talking about
Forum: rodboard

Norman Miller Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > For Fuji KR guides use the corrosion control > frames (BC or CC) with either the Fazlite or > Alconite ring. Both are excellent; very durable, > and corrosion resistant. A set of Alconite guides > will be about $30 and the Fazlite guides will be > less. The Torzite and Sic guides are overkill f
Forum: rodboard

How good is your eyesight? Me personally, I need to creep right up within about 10" in order to see well enough to wrap. I also like resting my forearms on the edge of my table. Basically, I have to sit down.
Forum: rodboard

I fish for steelhead mostly, so 99% of my builds are steelhead rods. I also ice fish, so I build an ice rod here and there. I turn down walleye rods, trout rods, bass rods and fly rods since there are better men for the job than me.
Forum: rodboard

Wal-Mart rubbing alcohol, I splurge and get the 91% stuff.
Forum: rodboard

I'm also waiting for a couple blanks I purchased awhile ago, but I was sort of prepared for it. I would say if keeping the overhead low helps keep their pricing low it's worth the wait.
Forum: rodboard

North Fork is running a deal right now where you get 65% off on 2 or more blanks and free shipping to boot. No brainer.
Forum: rodboard

Herb Ladenheim Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Eric, > I know both Jay McKnight and Domenic Frederico > very well. Both know what they are talking > about. > You can take what they have to say to the bank. > Herb Thanks Herb. Truth is, what I say don't mean squat. BUT, if Dom says so, it is so, and I doubt anyone that's familiar with
Forum: rodboard

If it was me, I would replace the size 10 on the tip section with another 8. I would space the butt guides at 91", 103" and 115". You will need the 20, 16 and either the 10 or 12, whichever lays out better. This should put your stripper guide about 25" from the center of your reel. It might not be ideal, but in all honesty a 13' float rod is very forgiving and there's probably
Forum: rodboard

What blank? I'll use 3 guides in the butt section of the 1562 and 2 guides in the 11'6 and shorter blanks. How long is your rear grip? What spacing and guides did you use on the tip section? i'm certain I've built something similar and can probably throw you a bone.
Forum: rodboard