Bill - to answer one of your questions..... Lapping is the act of working the joining surfaces of two items in such a way that the fit between them is as close to 100% (meaning no high or low spots on either piece) as possible.An example of lapping as a function in another domain is lapping valves, where a valve in an internal combustion engine has a mild abrasive compound (usually called &quo
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the comments guys. Much appreciated. Has anyone out there built both of them?
Forum: rodboard

I've read here that the St. Croix are a good value...am looking at building a 6wt switch out of one of these and was curious if anyone had any impressions of the differences between these two (color, price and the 4" in length notwithstanding). Have built other Rainshadow switch rods and like them. Thanks in advance for your comments.
Forum: rodboard

Recently received the Rainshadow Switch Rod kit from H&H (10'8' 8 weight 4 pc with a Batson handle kit). Very nice little package, and it made me think that a Dan Craft Sig V (might be a Sig IV - its been that long I don't remember) 10' 8wt 3pc blank that I have had for years and not built might make a really nice switch rod using the same handle kit. This will be my first switch rod, and I'm
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the suggestions. Since it has the UPC tag on it, but no model number - perhaps the Customer Service folks at Cabela's can indeed help. And I will CC it for sure to get the right line weight...thanks for the suggestions, everyone.
Forum: rodboard

Hi - I picked up a 3pc spey blank from someone who could only tell me that it was purchased from Cabelas. It's a gloss grey/graphite in color. I'm looking for any information I can get about these blanks in general - who was the mfg, action, etc. as I will probably build this for someone else, but would like to know what they can expect. Thanks for any info folks have. - Dave.
Forum: rodboard

Dale, I have no experience with the Rikon. The Jet and the Delta are almost exact duplicates; to the point where I have a Delta lathe on a Jet stand with extension. Very, very happy with the Delta, by the way, and use it not only for handles, seats, and hosels, but for turning pens and other such things. With respect to purchasing wood, I have several suggestions. If you live near a Woodcr
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for all who offered info. Dave
Forum: rodboard

With Lamar no longer selling stablized blanks for inserts, what other sources have you found that are producing blanks in the sizes useful for rodbuilding? I've not found the 3/4x3/4 stablized inserts for pen blanks to be very useful. Also, I was wondering what material some have used for white trim rings in their handles? I've used horn and ivory, but it seems in some of the handle pictures I
Forum: rodboard

Larry, There is a Fine Woodworking Tools Annual on sale at newsstands presently, where bandsaws (14") are rated and you will find it useful. I own a Ridgid (purchased at Home Depot) and have been very happy with it. The saw is rated in the magazine; I have an older model built for Home Depot under the Ridgid name built in the US by Emerson Electric (who used to make Craftsman power tools
Forum: rodboard