These are the flip up magnifiers I use on my Bi-Focals. I tried to get a picture that would show the three different magnifications. Normal prescription, 3x and 5.5x
Forum: rodboard

How do you fix this?
Forum: rodboard

How do you fix this?
Forum: rodboard

Read this article by Tom K: . And this article by Tom K. . I have been using this concept for 10 years or more. Once I get the guide placement close, I always static test the rod. I use a different method for this than Tom does. I put the reel on the rod, and run the fishing line through the guides. Holding the line in my hand, I flex the rod, and look at the arc of the rod blank, and lin
Forum: rodboard

For me the best blanks for the money are some of the Batson blanks, and some of the Pac-Bay blanks.
Forum: rodboard

I started building on Fenwick glass blanks, and when the first Graphite blanks came out I built on the blanks made by Gary Loomis ( I can't remember the 3 letter name of the company he had back then), Winston, and Sage. I built some lamaglass blanks as well. I just talked to one of the Batson's, and he said the technology in the blanks has come a long way since then, and there is no reason not
Forum: rodboard

I have always been told that you do not place a guide right on the Ferrell. I have noticed on other forums that some build with single foot guides, and the guide is right on the Ferrell with ring of the guide actually extending past the female end of the Ferrell. I am now wondering if what I have been doing is wrong? I always move the guides off the Ferrell, and make adjustments in the rest of
Forum: rodboard

I went to one of the big sewing stores and discovered that they have large plastic boxes for storing both thread and small parts. They work great for both.
Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

I have an older CPW. I don't think it came with a manual. I bought it from Anglers Workshop before they moved. The last catalog I got from them still showed that they sell parts and accessories for these wrappers. I have been down and out since August. Our house got flooded along with 21 other houses in the neighborhood. I didn't get the foot controller moved up out of the water before the
Forum: rodboard

Tommy: You opened a can of worms with your question. I have been building rods for close to 40 years, and learned from my Dad, who had been building them for 30 plus years. Building light spinning rods, and fly rods, over the years, I was taught to build on the spine. We are going back to the then "Expensive" Fenwick glass blanks and beyond. I was taught to build on the soft side of
Forum: rodboard

I am kind of wondering if what Chris is asking is more about guide placement rather than doing a bunch of the same blanks at one time. I also wonder what type of rods he is building? I am kind of "old school" with spinning and fly rods, and have never built a casting rod. The answers might be different if we knew what Chris was building.
Forum: rodboard

Who built your rod originally? If this is a newer rod, you might be able to get a replacement top section for the rod. Might be quicker to get a replacement top section, and wrap it, than trying to fix what you have.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Steve. I finally got in contact with the person Sage told me to call. I now have a place about 10 minutes from me that will order blanks straight from Sage, and have them in 3 to 4 days.
Forum: rodboard

I need to find a place here on the West Coast where I can get a Sage X 590-4 blank. The supplier I used for many years has moved back East. They list the blank as "Special Order" with a shipping time of 3 weeks. I called Sage, and they gave me a name and number for someone else that might be able to tell me where I can order the blank from. I have tried to call them, left messages a
Forum: rodboard

Tom: I tried to fix the double post, but can't seem to be able to delete the second post. Sorry.
Forum: rodboard

I am old and slow when running finish. I just bought a new fixture from Mudhole that will let me turn 1 section at a time in the dryer. I was interested in the cooling your finish idea. I will be running finish tomorrow, and was looking for some way to cool things down. I opened the freezer thinking a jell ice pack. I found a plastic ice pack that is part of a salad for lunch pack. It had a
Forum: rodboard

I am old and slow when running finish. I just bought a new fixture from Mudhole that will let me turn 1 section at a time in the dryer. I was interested in the cooling your finish idea. I will be running finish tomorrow, and was looking for some way to cool things down. I opened the freezer thinking a jell ice pack. I found a plastic ice pack that is part of a salad for lunch pack. It had a
Forum: rodboard

Stefan: I just asked about this a couple of days ago. Take a look here: .
Forum: rodboard

You pretty much hit all of the problems.
Forum: rodboard

I have used the vinyl press and stick decals on 2 rods now, and have done some testing on scrap blanks. I have run a coat of epoxy before putting the decal on. I have tried them on just a smooth finished blank. I have used them with and without color preserver. I have used Krylon clear spray on. I have used Flex coat Lite, and Thread Master lite. I have yet to get a decent finish over these
Forum: rodboard

I use a product called Fast Orange to wash my hands when ever I work on rods, and then wash them again with a natural dish soap. The Fast Orange is designed for Mechanics to get the oil off their hands. The second was is just an In case wash. I use razor blades designed for cutting picture mats. They have a wax type coating. I wipe then down with alcohol as soon as they come out of the packa
Forum: rodboard

I haven't worked with Permagloss. I am sort of in an area where there isn't a lot of rod building, and you can't just go to a store in the area, buy rod building stuff. It has to shipped in unseen and untested. Have you used Permagloss? How did you like working with it?
Forum: rodboard

I am working on building some spinning rods built on 3 Wt. fly rod blanks. The blank doesn't know what it was built for. I think I know what you are asking, are the Sage, St. Croix, Winston et all blanks better than some of less expensive blanks from Batson PacBay and such? I will leave the answer to the people that build a lot of rods. For me, I can't see a lot of difference other than price
Forum: rodboard

I am rebuilding the top section of a custom made Sage XP 590 Graphite IIIe B rod. The owner said that the tip got slammed in a door. He had already gotten the replacement tip section, and wanted me to save the guides, and wrap it for him. I stared removing guides, and who ever wrapped this rod originally used a finish that is harder than anything I have come across. I didn't heat it before st
Forum: rodboard

I have been building rods for a lot of years. I used a parts supplier here on the West Coast back when they were a Mom and Pop outfit. They were bought out not too long ago, and moved East. I have been looking for a supplier here on the West Coast since. I have found my new supplier with Utmost Enterprises. Dealing with Mick Batson and his crew is a pleasure, and takes me back to the old Mom
Forum: rodboard

Berry, Thanks, but I think this will be enough thread to keep me going for some time.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Brad. If I can ever return the favor, just let me know.
Forum: rodboard

Brad: I will take that spool. Just let me know what I owe you for the tread and shipping. My Address is: Robert M. "Mike" Bradford 11984 Jerry Lee Lane Nampa, Idaho 83651. Thanks.
Forum: rodboard

I tried to post this before but it didn't post. Thanks for the offer of thread. I have enough thread to finish the rod I am working on (I hope). I just really like this color and was looking for a color that would match it from one of the current thread companies.
Forum: rodboard