well, how did I miss seeing that arbor is available? OOF! - thank you!!
Forum: rodboard

I'm primarily an ice rod builder - and as such, the vast majority of my builds have cork grips with no reel seat. I've been playing around with some reel seats for the folks that prefer a traditional reel seat on their ice rod. I use the Fuji TVS and AmTak G2 on my open water rod builds, and have prototyped an ice rod with a G2 seat. The problem I'm running into is that a size 16 foam arbor do
Forum: rodboard

absolutely, 100% a scam site.
Forum: rodboard

Brian Jackson Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I bought a sj732 nearly 3 years ago anticipating a > “light” action for the same technique your > after. Needless to say the blank sat in the corner > till this year when i built it in casting > configuration to flatline troll crankbaits. It is > rated very strange in my opinion as it almost &
Forum: rodboard

Thanks John - very helpful! Am I reading your post correctly - the 703 is actually lighter in power than the 732?
Forum: rodboard

I have a hard time with the NFC blank catalog and published weights/powers/line weight and lure weight ratings. There, I said it. So, I'm looking to build myself a series of walleye/smallmouth jigging/rigging/etc rods for my own use here in northern Wisconsin. I'm looking at the X-Ray SJ732 - it has a published weight rating of 2.1 oz. That seems extraordinarily heavy, based on the next b
Forum: rodboard

It will have to actually mix and apply itself to get me to change from Gen4.....
Forum: rodboard

thank you all!
Forum: rodboard

thank you all!
Forum: rodboard

I have been commissioned to build 3 walleye planer board trolling rods for a client. I'm not familiar with carbon fiber tube, building techniques, etc. I'm looking at the USA Made Factory .970 ID carbon fiber tubes to be used as rear grips for these rods. Can anyone comment on how best to arbor the blank to these tubes, and if they are sturdy enough for the job of riding in rod holders trollin
Forum: rodboard

dental ligature bands, proper guide foot prep, and support stand placement to minimize blank flex. I build primarily ice rods - and the tip guide is always a SF guide that is wrapped on. Many of my rods are hand sanded in the tip section - so I'm wrapping 0.65mm thick tips. These three things are key to getting a good wrap on thin, flexible blanks. Also, having a power wrapper is very helpful.
Forum: rodboard

We became so accustomed to attaining whatever we want, on demand, at the cheapest price possible. De-transitioning from this mindset is not an easy one.
Forum: rodboard

Thank you - that's exactly what I am searching for. They are expensive - but a very unique blank that I think would excel for this bite.
Forum: rodboard

Are there any domestic (US) sources for ultralight or light power blanks that have a solid/very small diameter tip integrated? I'm talking tip diameter of 0.75mm or so. Basically, an ice fishing power noodle top integrated with a tubular carbon blank in that 6-7' length. I know that the Japanese domestic market has had rods of this style being very popular in the past. I'm curious to build a
Forum: rodboard

yes I understand that. I turn a ton of cork - about 95% of it is burl. I'm using burl cork for the look and have customers that want a reel seat incorporated instead of my standard tape on/silicone band handle. So, trying to see how to efficiently make the inserts.
Forum: rodboard

Has anyone come up with a good solution for turning a number of cork reel seat inserts for a skeleton spinning real seat? MH has the AmTak skeletons on clearance for a great price - I've been on the lookout for the lightest possible reel seat option for my ice rods, while still bringing the look of custom burl cork work to the rod. Ideally they would become part of my rod lineup, so I need to b
Forum: rodboard

I try my best not to turn cork indoors - but I have an Oneida Dust Deputy in-line with my shop vac. It’s a cyclone dust collector and it works very well. Set the vacuum nozzle as close to the grip as possible, and I do most of the shaping with a Stanley Sure Form plane and 40-80 grit belt sander belts to minimize the fine particle creation. I guess it beats turning outside in January when it’s
Forum: rodboard

Some friendly, hopefully helpful advice - when doing deco trim wraps, make sure to push the threads together, trim the tag ends EXTREMELY close to the wrap, and orient the tag ends so they are not visible when looking at the decal. You can hit the tag area with a dot of CP to hold things together if need be. Little things like that really dress up a rod - if it's going to be simple (which I lov
Forum: rodboard

I haven't ever found a source for them. One thing I can tell you is that palm rods/reels don't 'perform' in any way, shape, or form. The reel is a line storage device. The rod is a short (8-12 inch) stiff piece that serves to hold the spring bobber/strike indicator. I've used them in the past and they are an effective, but very specialized, way of fishing. If you watch competitive ice angler
Forum: rodboard

Tom - are the NFC and AmTak CF tubes heavier than the skin/foam core grips? I've not built with them yet. Thanks!
Forum: rodboard

I want to like syncork, but I can't get past the aesthetics. I can't stand EVA - it doesn't seem to matter how complex the pattern, it just looks cheap to me - just an inferior product. Carbon fiber and/or skinned grips are the champion when it comes to pure performance - but again, aesthetics... Wood is beautiful, but even cored out, it's so heavy and tough to keep in good enough condition.
Forum: rodboard

Tom - I appreciate your perspective on the topic - you are uniquely positioned to see a big picture. Respectfully - I'd submit that 'the industry' and the individual rod builder are two separate entities. I for one, am not interested in enriching the Wal-Mart of rodbuilding anymore than absolutely necessary. So, while the 'Industry' may somehow show a greater profit if MH is maximizing their b
Forum: rodboard

Wow - didn't expect that kind of fanboy venom for that one. Alrighty then.
Forum: rodboard

Here’s hoping that the new mgmt at MH can find it in their heart to drop the $1,000 yearly purchase minimum for wholesale accounts. I no longer do business with MH since that policy kicked in this past spring and I lost my status due to only spending about $800. I’m small but trying to grow, and am now directing my business to sellers who don’t have restrictive minimum annual purchase policies.
Forum: rodboard

Honestly I'd suggest not doing anything until you can do it properly. What baits are you throwing that you can't target with the 8'6"? That NFC blank looks to be a good all arounder general use musky stick - unless you need to throw light/medium sized baits a loooong way for ultra conditioned fish?
Forum: rodboard

Tom - might you have 25-1 available for a back issue order? I don't see it on the RM site :-)
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Tom - which issue, and is it available for order?
Forum: rodboard

After long last I have a dedicated shop in my basement - my rod wrapping bench is a 2'x8' sheet of AC plywood on a 2x4 frame. The back side is bolted to the wall studs and the front legs are 4x4 posts. It's a nice, solid bench. I'm looking for ideas on a full length, articulated bottom rail that is rigged to be able to depress and activate the wrapper foot pedal from anywhere along that 8' len
Forum: rodboard

In my first go-round building rods, I had acquired a Dream Reamer set - loved them. I gave up the craft for several years and sold my equipment awhile back. Now that I'm back into it, I bought the CRB reamer set. Let's just say that I will be picking up the Dream Reamer set again ASAP. The CRB set is going into the trash. I've also gone the rat tail file route in the past, but the tapers and d
Forum: rodboard

I know the LW610 uses the same tape cartridges as the PX800, and has the same pixel count. I think the print options, fonts/images/etc are more limited due to the interface being App based rather than a standalone program. I've wondered the same as you, and have yet to pull the trigger on any label device. I do know that Larry Tobin at LRT is a super top shelf guy, he's highly regarded for sur
Forum: rodboard