I had the rod in a spine finder. I didn't put that much bend in the rod it would not rotate. Thanks to everyone to replied. Phil
Forum: rodboard

It was in a rod holder and I was checking the spline. It didn't have much of a bend in it but the rod would not rotate. I tried more pressure to make it rotate and it snapped. Part of rodbuilding I guess.
Forum: rodboard

I bought a blank at the rod expo, not a expensive blank by no means, and while checking the spline the rod cracked. It cracked in the location of the real seat. I thought about wrapping the rod at the crack and finishing the wrap, then finish building the rod and maybe giving it to my grandson. Any thoughts on this, I could send it back or use it to practice decorative wraps on. Do you think it w
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The seminar on Sat at 3pm guide sizing and placement, will that be the seminar that will demonstrate the static test? I will not be able to spend the day but want to make sure I am there for that seminar. Thanks Phil
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How do you ream a 9'" Winn grip, and what do you use? Phil
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Thanks everyone, he is a good friend just not perfect and I would not let a rod or money come between us. I have build him two and he loves them both, I told him yesterday not to send me one of his friends and expect the same. I want to be fair but I am not stupid. Thanks again for the advise. Phil
Forum: rodboard

What is a fair price for supplies, thread, epoxy, cups, sticks, razor blades exc. I built a rod for a friend and told him I didn't charge him for any of that and he ask me how much could that possible be worth. He is a friend and I didn't charge him any labor just for materials because I feel I am still learning. The rod turned out great but his comment took the edge off my deed. Phil
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Anton, I too am new and this board is the place to be and learn. I suggest is you take one of the courses offered by Mudhole, you will learn a lot of basic stuff and will get you started. I made mistakes and so will you but that is part of learning. Its a great hobby and a lot of satisfaction comes with building a rod and having a good fisherman praise it. I hope you the best and welcome to a gre
Forum: rodboard

I build rods inside the home, in the basement. It's a living space and keep very clean. I notice dust on the rod after the first coat of epoxy making me think some was there before the first coat also. How do I prepare the rod for epoxy to make sure I have not dust or anything that may show up in the finish?
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Hope we have a static test seminar with a casting rod. Phil
Forum: rodboard

Thanks to everyone, you are correct Russell about stumbled into a gem of information that is what I love about this board. I am new at this but I want to build the best rod I can build just for my self satisfaction. It has amazed me how small things effect a fishing rod performance. Thanks again, Phil Ayers
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When you order a blank (say a casting blank) or you order a spinning blank, what is the actual difference in the blank its self? To look at them you can't tell a difference. It seems that the difference is in the components you put on the rod and where you put them. This may be a dumb question but I just ordered two St Croix blanks and they look the same as any blank except for the label. Could
Forum: rodboard

I did take the Mudhole class and it was not part of the second day on the class I took in Charlotte. I took the class first, it will be two years this Feb. If it was mentioned I don't remember it there was no demo. Phil
Forum: rodboard

Tom, I have only been building rods for about a year and a half and I am trying to learn all I can to be better at it. At the 2017 expo I would like to see a demonstration on the static test. I have been to the last two expos and enjoy them very much. I have been working on the static thing, I have read your article and other writings and I struggle with this. I can not find a video in detail so
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I use the laser from Mudhole and it is helpful in getting me to a good place with the guides but in the end I rely on putting a reel on the rod and looking down it. I have fished long enough to know when they are straight. The blank has to be straight for the laser to be exact and it does not take much for it to lie to you. Phil
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I need to give Mudhole credit the customer service there is great. I called yesterday because I could not find something on line and they walked me through it and was great. You just don't get that kind of service anywhere anymore and that makes rodbuilding a lot more fun knowing you have someone to call, and they welcome your call. Without this board and Mudhole I would probably give up. Thanks
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What is the difference between a SCV and a SCIII as far as fishablity. I like St Croix blanks but is the difference worth the extra cost? I have never used a SCV so that is the reason for the question. I have built several SCIII and they have been received very well. Thanks Phil
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These are the questions I need to ask the person I am building for. I don't even know what questions to ask except line weight, lure weight, length, spinning or casting. I think it will be a jigging rod but I don't know for sure. All these rods seem to be purpose built and I know nothing about salt water equipment. I guess I need to know what questions to ask and a basis to start. I will have mor
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I have never built a salt water and have some questions. What size thread D,A or B, do I under wrap and how do I determine the size of the guides? I don't salt water fish but have friends that do. I will have more questions but this will give me some place to start. Phil
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Where do you get this book? Phil
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Got mine Saturday and while looking through it I found my face in one of the pictures of the expo, pretty neat. Phil
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Mudhole, except for the dryer that is basically what you get with the class
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I agree with Thomas to a point. I own a couple of custom rods build by a well know builder in North Carolina, I had never built a fishing rod. I was fishing with my 10 year old grandson and he picked up one of these rods and seen Custom built for Phil Ayers and wanted one. I took him with me to see Bill Poe and Bill took a couple rods and my grandson outside and talked with him for about 15 min.
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Thanks everyone.
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Can you put a decal over a tread wrap. I apply decals on one coat of epoxy then add the finish coat. Will the decal work over thread? Phil
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I let mine turn until I can touch the unused epoxy and it does not leave a print, something I learned on the board and It works for me, I hope this helps because I have been helped a lot by folks here. Phil
Forum: rodboard

Thanks to everyone, great information. Phil
Forum: rodboard

Yes, do I measure where the seat meets the handle or in the center of the seat where it is exposed. You don't sound snide I am new at this and this is my first exposed seat, maybe I didn't come across very well. I have everything on order except the seat so I could get a good measurement in order for the seat to fit well. With the taper of the rod I was not sure where to take a measurement of the
Forum: rodboard

Where do I need to take the measurement for a exposed seat on a casting rod?
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If function is all you need go to a yard sale, you can't build a rod for that price. That being said I have only been building rods for about a year and I get better with everyone and I try hard to make them the best I can, its a learning process.This year I built my 10 yr. old grandson a rod custom to him using quality components put a nice bait caster on it for Christmas. He was at my house las
Forum: rodboard