No offense Peter, but an attitude like that will not help to grow this craft. As you said, many basic concepts are covered in books and DVD's; however, there are many subtleties of the craft that are not covered. That is where a place such as this forum, and the helpful people that visit it come in.
Forum: rodboard

I am having trouble securing my micro guides on the rod as I wrap up the guide foot. I tried a super skinny piece of masking tape, but when I tried to take it off it pulled the guide right out of the wrap. I cannot seem to get dental rubber bands to work either. It seems that I pull the guide out while trying to remove the band halfway through the wrap. Any other suggestions. I feel like I need s
Forum: rodboard

The Seaguar Invisiz-x is definitely more supple than Trilene 100% Fluoro.
Forum: rodboard

I am getting ready to build on a couple Castaway blanks that are a dark forest green. Does anybody have any good thread combination suggestions?
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It's an interesting article. Those claims are a lot to live up to. It's just hard to pay 500 buckaroos for a factory built rod. In otherwords, I won't
Forum: rodboard

So when they charge you a $1.50 extra per guide, it's just for the color difference?
Forum: rodboard

I am interested in trying some other brands of guides such as American Tackle or Batson. What would be guides comparable to the Fuji Alconite in those brands?
Forum: rodboard

I was looking at the Batson Catalog at their single foot guides, and I was wondering if the chrome or PVD TiCh plated finish makes a difference in castability or if it just offers different color choices.
Forum: rodboard

Yes a lot of them will also help you with reel seat size.
Forum: rodboard

If you have your blank you can measure the spots that you want to put your winding checks with a caliper. If you do not have the blank then you can ask the supplier to measure it for you. The only hitch with having a supplier measure it for you is that you have to know exactly where you want them based on the length of the rod.
Forum: rodboard

I have been doing my trim wraps as Tom suggests in his book. My problem is that when I want to do smaller trim wraps such as four wraps or less, I have trouble keeping the wrap snug. It seems to get real lose on me. Any suggestions?
Forum: rodboard

I am building my first rod and I am wrapping the guides with charcoal thread and scarlet trim. The problem is when I went to wrap over the trimmed excess scarlet with the charcoal, the scarlet showed through the charcoal. Is there a way to keep the scarlet from fraying when you cut it? I trimmed my threads using razor blades. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

How does Carbon Fiber with a foam core compare to EVA. Obviously it is more expensive, but how does it compare in weight? Is it slippery when wet? Thanks
Forum: rodboard

I know that Angler's Roost reels were just recently discussed for being a great value buy. I was wondering if anyone had used their graphite blanks and had an opinion on them. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

Do you find that it increases your casting distance?
Forum: rodboard

I'm building a 9'-5 wt fly rod, and I'm trying to decide whether to put a second stripping guide on it. What do you guys usually do for a rod of similar size?
Forum: rodboard

What is everyone's opinion on Castaway blanks? Do they compare to MHX or Batson? Also are they manufactured in the U.S.?
Forum: rodboard

I have always wondered about this, but I have never brought it up. Obviously we pay a little bit extra for GLoomis blanks, or Orvis blanks; however when compared to smaller companies it seems that you can get a lot more bang for your buck. For example I have heard the MHX blanks compared to the GLoomis IMX series. The difference in price in those two blanks is $100 or more. I guess what I am aski
Forum: rodboard

I'm going to build a smallmouth spinning rod for small rivers. I was thinking a medium-light to a medium around 6'6". It needs to be really sensitive, but still have enough back bone for a decent fish. Any suggestions for a blank? I also need some suggestions for guides. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

www.surpluscenter.com They have a good selection of different sorts of motors. Lower RPM to higher RPM. Good customer service too at a great price.
Forum: rodboard

Tom...I'm assuming you turn them by hand to keep the epoxy from bunching on the bottom. How long do you turn it?
Forum: rodboard

Thanks...it's unhidden now. I didn't realize I had done that. Whatever info you have would be great.
Forum: rodboard

I'm in the process of getting everything together for my first rod, and I am trying to decide what to do for a rod dryer. I only spent say a $120 on blank and components seeing as it's my first rod. I would rather not chuck out 80 bucks for a rod dryer without seeing how everything works. I think I can make the supports easy enough, but I am not sure what kind of motor to get. Should I go AC or D
Forum: rodboard

These Videos might be worth a look.
Forum: rodboard

They are made by covering stainless steel guides with a thin coating of titanium carbide.
Forum: rodboard

From what I understand epoxy is used for handle, real seat, and tip top. And then rod finisher is used for guides and hook keeper. Correct me if that is wrong. My question is I need to buy some of each for my first rod, it's a fly rod, and I was wondering what brand and type to get for each. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

How does ring hardness affect performence?
Forum: rodboard

This might be an ignorant question coming from a beginner, but from what I have read Titanium Carbide guides are lighter and throw a fly line farther than other guides. If what I have read is true, than the many other guides out there must serve a different purpose, or have a different objective? I'm just confused on all the options for guides with little discrepancy between function. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

Does anybody know of a good book for building a fly rod that would assist a beginner like myself?
Forum: rodboard

I'm not new to fly fishing, but I am looking at building my first fly rod. I'm thinking a 5 wt. around 8'6". My dilemna is I would still like a decent rod to fish with, but I don't want to dump a whole lot of money into a blank on my first try. I was thinking in the hundred dollar range for the blank. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Forum: rodboard