Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Ben, Bantam 50! That was my friend's reel and mine was Daiwa Millionaire at the time... Good old memories in 80's. I agree that sanding just one side must be a pretty good approach to obtain a nice softer power, but isn't it a lot trickier than sanding a blank round with a drill? By the way, I saw new ice rods with a rectangular cross section at some outdoor shops, too. I would def
Forum: rodboard

Hello Matthew, I do agree with you! I did pretty much what you did (started sanding from the butt to the tip in general). However, since I kept positive taper (must be too much taper) in the blank, although the tip went down less than 1 mm (less than 2.5/64 in), I could not sand it down quite to the power I wanted. It wasn't quite like what you said like "keep sanding down carefully, t
Forum: rodboard

Hello all, I received many good comments and help for building my first ice rod, so I thought I should show how it turned out. This is how it looks with the reel I plan to pair up with. Because I want to use the baitcasting reel, I am using spiral wrapping. Close up image of some of the guides. The blank I bought was too stiff (although it said it was "light&quo
Forum: rodboard

Dear Ben, I am making a spiral ice rod for this very reason! But now I need to resolve this blank twisting phenomenon before moving forward... All, Well, I tried twisting the Fenwick 28 in ML solid carbon ice rod. It is still in a good shape and I can't imagine that the blank has been compromised by heat etc. I still don't know if twisting the tip guide is acceptable or not, but I
Forum: rodboard

Ben, Yes, I could correct the guide locations. As you just said, by carefully twisting backward to about the same amount (rotation) and letting it spring back, it comes back. All, I did sand it down, but with wet sand papers and I did it very carefully (slowly). I never felt any heat developed in the blank, but that is a possibility (I admit that I am a beginner). Now maybe I s
Forum: rodboard

Hello, I am just wondering if the blank I have has a problem or it is the nature of the carbon solid blank... The (potential) problem is that once you attach a guide to the blank and give rotational twisting (like 90 deg), the blank doesn't seem to twist back to the original position. Depending on how far you twist (and how far the guide is located from the tip), but it seems that there
Forum: rodboard

Hello again, As Matthew mentioned, I used wet sanding method. The sand paper was really soaking wet. It helped keeping the rod cool and completely eliminated dust generation. I kept cleaning the sand paper in a bucket filled with clean water after a few strokes of sanding (the water in the bucket eventually got dirty). As Robert mentioned, I don't see any inhalation hazard with wet san
Forum: rodboard

Dear all, All great inputs and suggestions! It is an ice fishing rod and adding minor weight is not an issue. Also obviously no casting with this rod... I am more of a practical person, so I will see how it would do without tip wrapping. I am guessing if I would not like the way it looks, I can always wrap the area later, correct? Thank you very much! Momo
Forum: rodboard

Hello Robert, I am a beginner and just did my first sanding. I used exactly the same set up you described. My drill has 2 speeds and I used the higher speed (1500 rpm), which seemed to give me better result. I did notice the harmonic oscillation that Roger was talking about. Since it was an ice rod blank (30 in) and slower speed than his, the oscillation was manageable, but I had to be pre
Forum: rodboard

Hello, Finally I sorted out the blank issue I had and started installing the guides. Now I have a question about the tip guide wrapping. It seems to me that the tip guide is attached to the blank by the adhesive between the inside of the tube of the guide and the surface of the blank. Then what is the purpose of the thread wrapping at the tip guide? Only for decoration? I am not sure, bu
Forum: rodboard

Hello Buzz, I use size 10-20 (well, maybe 16) ice jigs tipped with a plastic or a wax worm. I do use a spring bobber, but I watch the line as well. Update: Well, since I now have 2 blanks, I have decided to sand one blank (one from MH) last weekend. I used an electric drill and inserted the blank into the chuck. I taped the last 1 inch or so with masking tape for protection. I use
Forum: rodboard

Patrick, Thank you very much for sharing the tips to sand/paint blanks. Now I have 2 blanks, one from MH and another that turns out to be one of you just mentioned. The 2nd one is much better, but I realized that my preference must be really toward "light" compared with other people, I guess. I can now play with the blank from MH, so I will see how fun to sand. Roger, Th
Forum: rodboard

Hello Dan, I agree with you about comparing just a blank and an actual rod, but in this case, it is so obviously stiffer than my supposed-to-be ML Fenwick, I am pretty sure there is no need to do such precise setting up and comparing. I am targeting mostly panfish, perch, occasional bass with a size 10-20 jig tied to 2-4 lbs nylon or fluorocarbon line. Robert and Mat, Yes, I spoke
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Hi Patrick, Thank you for your input. Sanding down is another idea I was also thinking, but as a beginner, I thought if I could get something right off of a shelf, that would be a better option... I am glad to know that a solid carbon blanks can be sanded down to your liking though. Once sanded, how do you re-coat the blank? Hi Matthew, OK, good to know MH has a good customer ser
Forum: rodboard

Hello! I am trying to build a first rod (ice rod). I want a rod for panfishing and occasional bass. I have a Fenwick Elite rod (ETI28ML), supposed to be "medium light". I like this rod, but I like a rod that is slightly lighter power more. So I have purchased a blank (CIB-30-MHX) from MudHole, but this blank is much heavier power than I expected, although it says "lig
Forum: rodboard