Being a dentist, my tools have become indespensable in the making of rods. Look for a dental lab engine while you are searching. It is the most useful of all the tools you will find, and you might get a good price. They are very expensive new. Sanford Hochman
Forum: rodboard

I noticed on the board a reference was made to the fact that prices of rod building components have been discounted. I have not found that to be the case. I realize that over time, prices seem to rise, but after checking my invoices, the prices have risen significantly. Even the 2009 catalogue of a couple of the shops have significant increases. I do not have a state license, so I pay retail. Aft
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I have not found the discounts you mention that Tom mentions. As a matter of fact, after checking the past invoices of the prices, they have risen significantly, whether justified or not. I realize that over time prices rise, but I would think many of the items would not have increased as much as they have. Sanford Hochman
Forum: rodboard

Eric, You would be better off setting the bottles of finish in warm water (in case you live in a cold climate) for awhile to thin them, or use the Lite materials that are made by various companies such as Threadmaster or Flexcoat, etc. If you insist on thinning, either acetone or denatured alcohol is the choice ( denatured alcohol is less of a hazard). But I would try the Lite finishes first and
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Tom and John, I also fish the Cape on the East side of Chatham. I have been used to trolling as you know the guys do in this fishing area, and have been spending more time with making the sturdy boat rods for trolling, using Winthrop roller guides and 5 1/2'-6 1/2' blanks. I have stuck with Fuji guides for all my spinning needs generally, but the Amer.Tackle guides looks nice as well. I a
Forum: rodboard

One more item: I am tending toward ring guides that are titanium and silicon carbide for braid.
Forum: rodboard

I need a little help. I want to make two casting rods used on a boat for tuna. I think I want a 6'6" to 7" rod that will have a EVA butt and leather foregrip. I want to make sure it has some action to it and is not too rigid, so I thought of a 10 tip rod either Seeker S glass or CAlstar Grafighter. I am open to suggestions. The fish are getting bigger and they have been between #150 and
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John, thanks, but I was looking for the nylon and metal thread size of Gruderbrod and Fishhawk. The thread used in rodbuilding, not metal screws or bolts. Sorry I wasn't clear. Sanford
Forum: rodboard

I have not had any luck finding an e-mail with the size of threads. I know this has been on the board before. Could someone help me in this search. I would like to know particularly the size of B and A threads. Thanks. Sanford
Forum: rodboard

Mike, I just had your problem, and I will guarantee you nothing short of cutting that handle off will work. A few hours with boiling water, steam, and heat gun did not make a dent in the handle. I spent another couple of hours cutting it off, and repreparing the blank for a new handle. It has to be done carefully as well, so as not to cut the blank nor the grip. Use some small carborundum discs
Forum: rodboard

I once heard of a couple of extremely well built Japanese rod blanks that are expensive and not exported to the US, but have forgotten their names. Is anyone familiar with any Japanese brands, or could throw out a few names they might be familiar with? Thanks, Sanford Hochman
Forum: rodboard

I finally after 3 hours was able to cut off the aluminum ferrel that was to hold the aluminum butt. Be sure it is lined up properly and the last to go on the rod before bonding. I used rod bond, and it is everything they say it is. Boiling water did nothing to loosen it. I used carborundum discs to cut into the aluminum and even with half removed, the other half had to be hammered off. What a job
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the advice guys. I wanted to twist it in proper position because of the design, weave, etc. It is off about 10 degrees. I will try the boiling water. If not, I will cut it off an replace it. I guess once it has to happen. Sanford
Forum: rodboard

Has anyone had the experience of breaking loose an aluminum ferrel from a rod blank that has been bonded on with rod bond. The ferrel will hold an aluminum butt. I want to turn it slightly and thought of using a torch, but am not sure how rod bond reacts inside of the ferrel, or whether it will reharden once the ferrel is slightly turned. The rod blank is in the center of the ferrel surrounded by
Forum: rodboard

Is there anyone who sells flock grips for rods? I am looking for a 12 or 13" foregrip. Thanks. Sanford
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Gaffs are now being made from heavy, stiff rod blanks, being used for offshore big game fish. Has anyone made a gaff from a blank? If so, what size blank is used, and how do you insert and stabalize the hook inside the blank? Thanks, Sanford Hochman
Forum: rodboard

I forgot to add the storabutts are aluminum and as a bent butt in the 360 rodholder it is used as the long outrigger rod holder. When the fish hits, it moves with the fish, and this prevents a lot of stress on the rod and doesn't spook the fish. Sanford
Forum: rodboard

Bill, The detachable butts or stora butts as they are called are great. I use the bent butts for my 360 rod holders and the straight when using a 0 degree rod holder at the stern. They come in long and short and are made by Aftco. They are expensive so make sure your customer understands the cost. The beauty of these are that they can actually be changed even while fighting a fish, but you would
Forum: rodboard

Kevin, Can you check in with me at my e-mail sanhoch@comcast.net. I have a couple of questions I want to ask you, and I am not sure how else to contact you. Thanks, Sanford
Forum: rodboard

This was just a commentary rather than a complaint regarding shoddy work. I have already entertained the thought that perhaps a few rod builders get together and show their work at such a show. It is fairly expensive to rent a kiosk at these shows, particularly a big show such as I mentioned, but it probably would be worth it. This is the first time at these shows that I have seen so much in the
Forum: rodboard

I spent last Saturday at one of the largest East Coast's tackle shows, and was amazed at the poor quality of the so-called "custom rods". They were in the $350-500 class. I particularly was suprised at the abysmal feather work done. These rods had feathers strewn all over the rod and just laid out one over the other with no thought behind it. It was a hodgepodge of colors to impress som
Forum: rodboard

Joe, Sometimes the grip (EVA) is such a tight fit, I have to really use a lot of pressure to squeeze it down on the blank, and the alcohol helps to make it much easier. You only get one chance to push it down. If it locks up on you before it reaches the largest end of the butt, you may not be able to get it down any further. But when sprayed with alcohol on top of the rod bond, it slides easily.
Forum: rodboard

One more thing I forgot to mention: you have all day to play with the rod bond. It has enough working time for hours that you can adust anything a long while after it is used. I usually come back to my rod a few hours later and make any final adjustments needed for the grip or reel seat.
Forum: rodboard

I agree with Alex. Rod Bond has no equals. Once on it does not creep. When I put it on the rod and inside the grip, I then spray a little denatured alcohol on the rod area over the rod bond to act as a slippery lubricant. It will evaporate shortly after. Try it, and you will not go back. Sanford Hochman
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I understand that "B" thread is being made now in different colors. Does anyone know where it can be purchased. I have looked at all the vendors, but had no luck. Thanks, Sanford
Forum: rodboard

Has anyone worked with both, the Visual Weave and Pic to Weave programs? I wondered what is the difference between the two and if they both work the same? I am tending toward the Visual Weave, since is seems to be more user friendly, but I could be mistaken. There is not enough in their demos online to distinguish the two. Thanks, Sanford
Forum: rodboard

Can anyone direct me to find script fonts. The fonts that are generally part of the computers makeup are large and usually as print letters. I often see great looking script letters that I would like to use, but cannot find them anywhere. I have bought a couple of cd's that have alphabet letters, but very few script writing letters. Thanks, Sanford Hochman
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Fellas, I have been using it for a long time and like it, especially the metallic. Sanford
Forum: rodboard

Which vendor sells FishHawk thread? I have looked over most of them with no luck. Thanks. Sanford Hochman
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Where can you buy the cp? I thought it was not available yet? Sanford Hochman
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