Tom, Add my congratulations to the list. There are so many reasons to applaud RodMaker Magazine, The Forum and The Expos but the keystone of it all is you. Your dedication and brilliance keep all three expanding in breadth and quality. My hat is off to you, my friend.
Forum: rodboard

What issue RodMaker was the article on them? I know I have it ... just can't locate it. I'm not sure how to size the hole so that it can grip the t hinnest sections as well and the larger diameters. Also, regarding my post on the rod waxing question: I put a thin coat of polish on the male ferrules before receiving your advice. Is there a good product for removing it before applying some U
Forum: rodboard

I remember an article in RodMaker on making a foam tool to grip tightly joined rod sections to loosen them without harm. Is anyone willing to make a couple of these to sell me? David
Forum: rodboard

In my haste I applied some pledge to a cloth and wiped each section with a light coating.. including the male ferrules. I was not expecting such quick responses and was heading out the door to go fishing. Is there something particularly good for removing the thin wax coating on the male ferrules now or should I just not worry about it? I'll get some U40 Ferrule Lube and apply that as recommen
Forum: rodboard

I'm about to polish a new multi-piece fly rod with Pledge Lemon Polish. Is it advisable to polish the full length of the male end where it fits into the female ferrule? I ran a search and did not find an answer to this question. Thanks, David
Forum: rodboard

From the day I stumbled upon the Tom Kirkman's Rodbuilding.org web site to the present I have been amazed by all the kind, courteous and helpful conversation there. The open flow of ideas is truly outstanding. RodMaker Magazine has also become a trusted friend. It is apparent to me that RodMaker Magazine remains the single best source of hard factual information on the many aspects of the c
Forum: rodboard

Andy, Wishing you and Emily and son a great future in whatever path you follow. David Giberg
Forum: rodboard

I just booked a room at the Radisson for the Expo. Contrary to Tom K's post in October I was told there are more rooms still available. Perhaps there have been some cancellations. In any event I hope this information will be helpful to someone looking to stay at the show hotel. PS... I plan to drive down from Sullivan County in New York. If anyone along the route wants to hook up for the ride
Forum: rodboard

Every issue of Rodmaker remains a treasure trove for the custom rod builder. There are not enough kudos to offer Tom for the great job he does in producing such a fine magazine. The fact that the cost is being kept at the current price is just icing on the cake. Any rod builder who does not subscribe to RodMaker is shooting himself in the proverbial foot. Dave Gilberg
Forum: rodboard

You will do well to run a search of all dates for dyed cork. I remember seeing a post about using stains to color cork. Dave ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Re: Cork coloring Posted by: John lasky (---.com) Date: June 23, 2004 09:40AM Hi steve, yes cork can be colored , I did just that on a rod I just finished. I stained the burl ends of a full wells grip I made, I used wood stain tha
Forum: rodboard

Maybe Mike Barkley will chime in as he's a Turncrafter owner. The variable speed is more than basic. It's a nice feature. A good chuck like the Barracuda 4 jaw will do you well. Get a good face mask. Dust collection will be a big asset and the box fan with Filtrete Filter works well .. better if you add a dust hood and vacuum. Get good turning tools.. Benjamin's Best to Crown or Sorby would be m
Forum: rodboard

Jack, This seems to evaporate the same as mineral spirits or denatured alcohol and should be fine for your way of hanging brushes. It just cleans a wider variety of paints, varnishes, etc. Dave
Forum: rodboard

I found a brush cleaner which is excellent for cleaning brushes from everything I use in rod building; especially Permagloss, It's called Klean Strip Brush Cleaner. I got a gallon can at The Homeless Depot for about $15.00. While that may seem expensive it is a bargain compared to buying the small quantities of good brush cleaners. A little goes a long way. Great stuff. David
Forum: rodboard

I have had great success applying a spray coat of Krylon Crystal Clear over paint enamel paint to act as a sealing barrier. Then I coat the blank with Permagloss which is a great thin durable finish. I will look into Max Seal as I am always interested in new products and Max was my Dad's name. David
Forum: rodboard

Tom, It seems that it will take comprehensive planning to make three sessions into a truly effective course. Either with pre fitted parts or "Put Ups" and all the rod stations and clamps ... and the guides... it will take a lot of pre-course work to make for a good course. Then there is the budgeting for such a course. I'll know more after I actually sit with them and show my plans. I
Forum: rodboard

Ilya, There is no accounting for human taste. If you prefer to use your reel this way I am the last person who will try to stop you. I hope you catch many huge fish for many years using your method. David
Forum: rodboard

Thanks to all who have offered help. Sorry about the hidden email as I just got a new address. It is now viewable. river1444@verizon.net I have contacted or will all who have invited me to do so. Thanks. PS... I also spoke with the local 4H organization and they are very interested. I encour
Forum: rodboard

That was meant to read: "Case closed". David
Forum: rodboard

Ilya, There was a news photo of the former President Bush reeling a spinning reel backwards... with it sitting on top of the rod. NOt only did it look ridiculous you could clearly see how awkward it must have been to keep that reel vertical. Levelwind bait caster or not... you are barking up a dead tree in your hypothesis. As I suggested to Chris, set up two rods... one conventional and on
Forum: rodboard

Chris, I would guess by your comments that you have never actually run a comparison between a simple spiral (Bumper Spiral) wrapped rod with a conventional casting set up in real fishing situations. If you had I think your views would reflect a true appreciation for the benefits of the spiral layout. They are numerous and, in most every application, far superior to the "normal" set up
Forum: rodboard

I have been invited to discuss teaching classes to the Boy Scouts at the nearby Ten Mile River Scout Camp this summer. We have even discussed the possibility of creating a Rod Building Merit Badge. The discussions are in the earliest stages. I wonder if anyone has developed a syllabus for teaching basic rod building. The time constraints on the campers is strict so the classes would likely have t
Forum: rodboard

Shrink wrap will hold your guides securely for test casting. David
Forum: rodboard

Am I being overly simplistic to suggest reversing the wiring to make the motor turn in the opposite direction ? Then just reverse the lathe and components (left to right) and the problem is solved. It's not hard to work from the opposite direction. David
Forum: rodboard

We are fortunate to have some extremely honest and reliable suppliers supporting this website. I am pleased to single out Angler's Workshop as one of the best in customer service and prompt delivery. The point is there is no reason to suffer with continued poor service from any particular supplier. The benefit of a slightly lower price is no comfort when your order does not arrive in a timely man
Forum: rodboard

I would suggest considering a fiberglass rod to avoid the danger of lightning striking the rod. Out on the water your rod is the highest point around. Statistically it may be a very remote possibility but I wouldn't want to be the one in a million to make the headlines. If you can hear thunder you are close enough to be struck, and the first thunder clap you hear might be the one that finds your
Forum: rodboard

Make sure to remove the cover ... to be safe.
Forum: rodboard

For those with a Mac computer which does not show an internet address at the top you can bookmark the page; then Show All Bookmarks; scroll down to it then copy and paste it into the email. Dave
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Steve. That's an elegant solution. I hope to see the follow up article in an issue of RodMaker soon. I am having difficulty following one other point. That is, where you say: " By offsetting the blank in the top of the TN handle, you create a little added distance (normally 3/16 - 3/8") between the spool and the blank which helps in eliminating line slap and allows you to
Forum: rodboard

Steve, I am very impressed with the Vibronic rods and your article in RM Vol. 10 # 4. Would you please explain how you attach the blank to the graphite tube. Do you use a full length foam arbor inside the graphite tube? Also, are the end caps on the the graphite tube standard parts or did you make them? Thanks, Dave
Forum: rodboard

Mike, How much dust can that Cockatoo eat?
Forum: rodboard