We have built a lot of rods with Archies handles. They are fantactic!
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We have built on them, they are nice blanks.
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Bill, I was referring to the extra guides on a casting rod. I look at some on the market, the guides are spaced from 2 1/2 inches from the tip down through about 7 running guides. Then maybe 4 inches, whatever. As I do a static test, on the blank, to mimic the curve with the micros, it seems like i need more than I want. Just confusing for me. When we build on a casting blank, with normal sized g
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Good tips on the micro epoxy issue. Bill and Roger, thanks for the entertainment!
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Like a lot of us, I am building some micros, and using them on the water, to see what seems to work for me. The added number of guides used, to keep the line slap off the rod blank is the main thing that seems a bit hard to get used to. But the results seem to be worth it. I am building one now with eva foam grips. I think it will be a sweet rod. If I would quit moving the guides around, and fini
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Kits are a good way to start. All the selection of componants are done for you. Mudhole has some good kits. Also some good instruction videos. They can help you with the supplies, and wrapper to get you going. Rainshadow blanks are excellent. I like to use Midwesr Rod and Reel. They are excellent, and will also help you spec out the whole build. Lance at Swampland also does a great job. Good l
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We generate and fill out the form, then I just mail it in to the Feds. We never get one mailed to us.
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When you contact dealers, or suppliers, like those listed here, keep in mind that the savings may not be as great as you first thought. A lot of the materials do not have that much of a markup. The suppliers have good prices already. When you ask for wholesale pricing, you actually are asking for discounts. Discounts in a lot of businesses usually depend on volume. If you buy 50 blanks at a time,
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I just received the 7 back issues of RodMaker that Tom had posted about. He had some old back issues left, and was dealing them out. What a great set! At a great price. These issues have some excellent articles in them. Amazing how 11 years ago, the concepts of rods with spirals, split grips, no for grips, and decorative weaves and wraps were published. This shows how a lot of the ideas now i
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I had a Berkley series 1 from about 1990 that had a split grip. It was a great rod, but the handle reel seat was not that good, in my opinion. I just read Rich Forhan's article from #4-4 yesterday. What a great article. I learned a long time ago to read all I can from him over the years.
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Tom, I have a check in the mail for all 7. thanks Kyle Robinson
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Great site. Thanks, and thanks Billy! I just signed up!
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Billy! You nailed it!!
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Walter, as you can see, there is a lot of ways to take the costs into consideration. The cost of thread, finish and labor are part of the total cost for sure. A lot of builders have a set fee per build, per guide, all good ways to figure it. I have a spreadsheet that I have sent to a lot of builders. It helps a person determine some costs, with markup, and pricing taken into consideration. If y
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Lee, I build a spiral the same as Todd. When casting, such as a crankbait, I like the way the line flows off of the rod better, with the guides on top. When I am flipping, or fishing plastics and jigs, with the rod held at the 10:00 position, the spiral is a real good setup. To me, it is more in the castin type baits, I like the guides on top.However, I like the way the spiral eliminates the wris
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When I build a spiral, it is for a couple specific fishing presentations. I like them for plastics, jigs, vertical presentations. For casting and retrieving, I usually keep the guides on top for the casting rods. JMO
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The easiest thing to do is to use an old fishing rod. Tie on the guides. Strip off the old guides if you want to. If you do not plan to do a complete build, this will work. It is also a good idea to pick up a kit from one of the suppliers. They have some good bargains.
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You can go to major retailer websites, see examples as far as the look and action is. Then go to the suppliers, find what you want. Almost all of them have what you will need. Also look at some kits from Mudhole, or other sites. Roger did an excellent job of breaking it down. Have fun!
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Also, I have seen this wooden grips guy a couple times. He is pretty good!! Kyle Robinson
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Good deal Mark. Chris and I will try to make it! Kyle Robinson
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good thread, good info!
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I have done the same thing a couple times. As Ken said, near the tip, it did not work. Needs an outer sleeve also there. JMO
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We use 1 good coat, allowed to dry. Seems to work well. You can always do a test on a section of old rod. Apply 1 good coat. Then add 2 coats to another thread of the same color. Compare.
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Labels look good Bill.
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This does look like a good improvement. Guess I might need to do a little upgrade!
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Great job. Keep the info comming!
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I like to worm and jig fish a lot. To me, the rod with the reel sits comfortably at the 10:00 position. This is what works for me. Some like it horizontally balances. As Roger said, this is the custom side of it. A lot of the newer rods, with the split grips, and nicro seats are tip heavy, which I hate. You waste a lot of wrist energy keeping the tip up, so you can balance the rod to suit your s
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We are going this year. I just made my RSVP at the Best Western. Thanks Tom. They said they have had several calls today. I think I was # 8. Good deal. Kyle
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Thanks to the gang at Batson for another great newsletter. For those of you who do not get it, you should sign up for it. There are some great tips for thread wrapping, with great photos. Good for us all, and a must for any new builders!
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It looks like a porcupine bobber painted green!
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