Guys - Once again THANK YOU! Great responses and a big help to me. I really like the appearance of the Permagloss top coat that Tom so ably demonstrates in his video - beautiful! Your help is most appreciated and Ive learned alot. Alec
Forum: rodboard

Thank you all for your responses. The grip I have is unfinished; that is to say, there is no additional finish covering the woven carbon fiber. I’ve supplied a link to a picture below. I’m glad to hear that it is proven to be durable, as that is my main concern. Thanks again everybody and tight lines! Alec
Forum: rodboard

I fish Cape Cod and Maine freshwater with fly rods. Smallmouth and brown trout are my favorite fish. For smallies I fish a Lamiglas 8’ 6wt. 2 pc. glass fly rod built by a friend many years ago and fish primarily wet flies. For trout my favorite is an 8.5’ 6wt. Loomis im6 blank rod I built with single foot guides.I fish wet flies and small dries for trout. As you might tell, I like a slower action
Forum: rodboard

Greetings fellow rod makers; I am considering using a woven carbon fiber grip on a 9’ 8wt. fly rod I’m building; it’s a full-wells design, so it has a steep drop at each end of the grip. Has anyone had any experience with the durability of these grips and the potential of fraying at the edges? Thanks in advance for any feedback and tight lines, Alec
Forum: rodboard

I just purchased a Hagens rod wrapper and it is an excellent value. All heavy-duty anodized aluminum construction, the 4 support rods allow you to configure the wrapper to an 8' length for one piece rods. Some assembly required and tweaking of screws, hex bolts etc. in order to set up properly, but for 80 bucks I don't think any one else comes close. Alec
Forum: rodboard

I use a Shopsmith Mark V in my shop and love it. Made in the USA, excellent quality, and parts for the Mark V model are all still available from Shopsmith. You can turn reel seats and grips no problem. As stated above, Penn State industries makes a pen turning mandrel for the Shopsmith that is perfect for turning reel seats. If the price is right I do not think you will be dissapointed. Shoot me
Forum: rodboard