When sanding with the screens at lower speeds the dust passes right through the holes and builds up on top of the strip. A vacuum will prevent this build up... or you can simply tap the strip on the edge of an open box or garbage can and the dust will fall inside. The screens last me months when not run at high speed. They seem to work better for holding a straight edge. I think the lines act lik
Forum: rodboard

What ?? No diamonds?
Forum: rodboard

When you say you bought a kit.. do you mean you have a pre-packaged set of guides? If so, I suggest you return the set and follow the instructions in the Library for selecting the best sized guides for your particular blank and reel combination. The New Concept Guide sets do not create the New Concept System. They are New Concept Guides ( higher frame with a smaller ring) but the "System&q
Forum: rodboard

Ciao Italo, Will be happy to see you in High Point. Can't wait to hear stories of your fishing tournament. I hope you'll be bringing some new rods to the show. As great as they look on the photo pages I can't wait to see one up close in person. Is there any food from New York you'd like? How about a Corned Beef Sandwich from the Carnegie Deli? David Gilberg
Forum: rodboard

Brad, Take note of the code following your name on the label. It indicates the final Volume and Issue you will receive on your subscription.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Tom. If I can get him to spring for it I'd like to build on a Diamondglass DFBPT4910 Pack Travel blank. I think fiberglass is a good candidate for these conditions. The extra cost seems a bargain for the peace of mind of the more durable blank.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for all the help. The client fished for these one time using a 5 weight rod and found it ideal. My guess is he must have found a school of young Peacock Bass. I've seen shows where South American Peacocks were caught and they certainly were bruisers. Even if their Florida cousins are less formidable I can see how a 9 weight rod would match up well. I wonder if there are any Glass or c
Forum: rodboard

I have a fellow interested in an entry level fly rod for Peacock Bass... casting from land. I'm open to suggestions for suitable 4 piece blanks. Tiger Eye or Forecast seem like good brands at this level. I have never been to Florida and have no experience with Peacock Bass and have no idea which weight rods would be best. Thanks for all answers.
Forum: rodboard

Can you tell me what I will need to get for my Mac G5 (which is running OS 10.4.11) to make it capable to run Visual Wrap?
Forum: rodboard

I use them to lift my Ford Explorer for oil changes.
Forum: rodboard

There is plenty of basic rod information which the popular fishing shows could teach without costing any rod company a sale. It would even help the big rod companies for fishermen to understand the difference between power and action and other basic aspects of the rods they make. I think as more fishers learn the benefits of low weight on rod performance there will be more sales of higher end rod
Forum: rodboard

OK, Tom; I'm game. I'll see what I can do in that regard. Thanks for the motivation. Looking forward to seeing you in High Point and lending a hand if it helps. Dave
Forum: rodboard

I agree that he was probably meant choosing a less powerful rod. It's just a shame that the few celebrity fishermen who reach the masses only perpetuate confusion about fishing rods. I think if they were enlightened to the facts they'd be happy to share them with their viewers. Is it unrealistic to expect at least one of them to pass Rod Basics 101? Dave Gilberg
Forum: rodboard

On his show this morning Bill Dance was giving a tip on how to improve one's chances of feeling when a Bass hits the bait. He said to get a rod with a "lighter action". It is unclear if he meant a rod of lesser power or slower action. It's possible that either of those changes could increase one's awareness of a hit.. but I wonder what he was thinking. Mr. Dance is not the only famous f
Forum: rodboard

Holographic guides look great. The Amtaks with gold rings are my favorite. Dave
Forum: rodboard

If you are going to be in this for a long time then a mini lathe will be a great addition to your shop. Plan for it. The Renzetti Rod Lathe is one extraordinary too. Even using one section with a couple of rod supports and thread carriage is sweet. If you are willing to invest about $1000 you can get the Renzetti and a Turncrafter Pro lathe (see Penn State Industries or Amazon.com). There are le
Forum: rodboard

Steve, My presumptions are based on simple observations. It does not surprise me that you agree with me to some degree as all I have been stating is quite obvious. I am not a scientist. I can not provide quantitative measurements on the amount of friction a poorly sized or placed bumper guide will impart... but it's easy to see that it is not a good thing. It seemed that you were saying the line
Forum: rodboard

Steve; Rod blanks taper to the tip for a good reason. The tip is designed to be the most flexible point so that it can absorb the high tensions and translate disperse them further back into the body of the blank. When you are fighting a fish the angle of the tip is not stationary. I agree that the line angle at the tip is a greater obstacle but the flexibility of the rod tip ameliorates much of
Forum: rodboard

There is not much friction on guides during a cast. Any deviation in the path of the line can add to that amount. While it may not amount to much loss of distance it is still not a good thing. When fighting a strong fish the friction will increase. Obviously the greater the line deviation; the more friction it will create. A good Bumper Wrap layout will keep line deviation to a minimum and provid
Forum: rodboard

This is very welcome news. I second Rich Gassman's suggestion for long 12" x 1 1/2" square blanks. The matching grain is a great finishing touch. Any highly figured exotic burls will be most welcome. My favorites are Spalted Maple, Birdseye Maple and Amboyna. But any pretty stabilized wood will be welcomed in the larger size. Wood adds so much to a custom rod. Foam arbors permit us to
Forum: rodboard

Steve, The role of the bumper guide is only to keep it from scraping against the blank. The further it is deviated from this path the more friction it will contend with. Some have used a ring around the blank instead of mounting a bumper guide. Tom K. recommends using the smallest ring size that will pass all knots and lowering the legs of the bumper guide to keep the ring as close to the blan
Forum: rodboard

It is important to keep the line as close to the blank as possible in its path from the Zero to the 180 Degree Axis. The higher the bumper guide stands the more it adversely effects casting and fighting performance. The higher the (bumper) ring the lower the performance. Your method makes the first and second guides share the bumper guide function but they will have to raise the line too much to
Forum: rodboard

Drill a hole in the cap of each bottle sized to fit the tip of a syringe. Then push the syringe into this hole. Invert each bottle and draw some fluid up into each syringe. Store the bottles in this position. When you are ready to use.. keep the bottles inverted... push out the fluid and let any air bubbles rise out of the way... then fill again with equal amounts. Deposit the two parts in your
Forum: rodboard

An "ultimate" fly rod will be one that is ideally suited to you; your fishing methods; the fish, and the actual conditions you encounter. Some manufacturers are willing to create custom blanks to meet your own specs. CTS would be a prime example. Andy Dear is the man to consult for one of those. My guess is that even if you get one and the build exceeds your highest hopes you will find
Forum: rodboard

The physics support the practice of light tackle fishing ... especially if the fish is cooperative. As I noted in another post I know a fellow who regularly landed large Stripers in the surf on a noodle rod with 2 lb test mono. It can certainly be done by a skilled fisherman. The problem I have with the practice is that it seems unfair to the fish. The lengthy fight will undoubtedly wear out the
Forum: rodboard

Steve, Whereas I am certainly one to appreciate attempts to "think outside the box" it is imperative that any creative advancement be grounded on sound principles. In this instance it makes no sense to risk guide failure just to gain an insignificant weight advantage. There is nothing to be gained and so much risk of losing a good fish and a ruining a nice day on the water. It is a no
Forum: rodboard

Did you run a search of ALL DATES for this information? It seems to me that this has been covered in Forum posts in the past. Dave
Forum: rodboard

Eddie, It seems to me that the responses you got from your previous post should serve you here too. I think you are barking up the wrong tree in trying to use Recoil Guides on this type of rod. Saltwater fishing is especially tough on gear. Tiny grains of sand are abrasive; the salt in the air is corrosive; rods get beat up in holders and on the deck as the boat is tossed around; and the list
Forum: rodboard

It is about an article in the latest issue of RodMaker Magazine covering new ideas for grips. The cover of the last issue had a photo of an innovative grip which is to be discussed in the new issue. If you are not a subscriber to RodMaker now is a great time to get on board. It is the single most abundant source of information on rod building to be found anywhere. What you read here usually is di
Forum: rodboard

The Van Staal VS 275 has a spool diameter of 2.75". A good rule of thumb is to use a Butt Guide about 1/2 the diameter of the spool.. so a size 50 (about 2" dia.) is unnecessarily large. A size 40 would be better. Remember.. by placing the ring so that the line just touches the outer top edge will provide a good flow. A smaller ring on higher legs is an improvement over a larger ring
Forum: rodboard