LMAO Jim! I'm looking for ideas for storage of all kinds of stuff... big and small... not limited to rod making gear. Blanks, Rods, Reels, fishing gear, waders... literally any inventive way to store everything I own. I'm reorganizing my apartment to function both for single living as well as rod making. I turned a bedroom into a power tool workshop... so wood working tool storage is als
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I'm always looking for new ways to organize all the "stuff" that keeps taking over my work desk... as well as every other surface in my home. I bet each one of us has one or two really cool ways of storing things... so I invite everyone to share their favorites. Extra points for things which are really cheap or free. I'll start with my favorite: the clear plastic trays that fres
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Today I put all my attention into a wrap without any concern for time. Aside from making meals and a few pit stops I was immersed in the work. What a total joy!! I feel very fortunate to have so much free time to devote to what I enjoy.
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i just tried it again and this time it works fine. I must have done something wrong. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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Tom, Not only is this far and away the best rod building Forum it's also the best forum of any kind I have yet to find. Frankly... nothing even comes close to all the informative posts, the photos and the incredible generosity of participants eager to share their expertise and assistance. You have created a great resource for custom rod builders and maintained it with the highest
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Tom, When I tried to get the rates for three nights... Friday Feb. 22 - Mon. Feb 25, 2013 It says those dates are not included in the special rate for the Expo. I hope that is just a glitch which will be worked out. I don't need to come in on Thursday when the Reception is Friday evening. Thanks, David Gilberg
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Bill, The guides on my Loomis 1266S are4 indeed black. I called them Gunsmoke by mistake because the guides were dusty. Upon closer comparison I'm sure they are Alconites. Sorry for the error.
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I found two tools which work extremely well for cutting thread tag ends. The first, which I use most often, is a Surgical Scalpel with #11 Blades. I buy a box of 100 high quality cobalt steel blades for $20. These start out sharper than razors or X-Acto blades and retain their edge longer. They stay sharp for about a week Just be careful when changing blades. The can split when being p
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I have a factory Loomis 1266 Surf Spinning rod about 12 years old which has Fuji SIC Gunsmoke guides. I would assume the casting version was equipped with Fuji SIC's as well.
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I found them on them on Amazon.
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This is a great ruler for making accurate layout marks for decorative wraps. It's the 12" Centering Incra Rule. It's a very thin stainless steel ruler 12" X 1 1/4". Both edges are marked in 1/32 increments with tiny holes at each spot. A .5mm technical pencil point fits perfectly in the holes. Rotate the point in the holes and you get perfectly aligned dots. I use
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Wow!! Those colors are outrageous! I'd be very interested if it's cost effective.
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Forum readers have been extremely loyal to the Forum Sponsors. The Sponsors have proven their appreciation of this with excellent customer service. I believe this reflects the great job Tom Kirkman had done to maintain high standards of this venue. We have much for which to be grateful.
Forum: rodboard

Here's a link to the work of a builder making reproductions of original Tuna Club specification rods. Note they are 6'6" in length. An 8' rod gives too much leverage to the fish. The rods are split cane... not round.
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Here's a link to the work of a builder making reproductions of original Tuna Club specification rods. Note they are 6'6" in length. An 8' rod gives too much leverage to the fish. The rods are split cane... not round.
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I gather you have a bamboo tube which has it's natural taper. A good bamboo fishing rod blank is constructed of carefully prepared strips of bamboo .. usually in a hexagon configuration. You need to splice it into strips...sand down the nodes... heat treat the strips... shape them into wedges with the precise taper to produce the action you desire and glue them up. Do an internet sea
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Why not use cork tape for the grips? Either 1/8" or two passes of 1/16" should do fine.
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Fiberglass Flyrodders Forum is a great place to start your search. Through that site I learned of some excellent fiberglass blanks being created today. They're both light in weight and can be found in a variety of actions. I personally like slower action blanks which are similar to bamboo. My favorite is Kabuto Rods in Japan. I once inquired about purchasing a blank from Mr. K
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Post some photos of the result. Can't wait to see what Captain Morgan can do.
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The Renzetti and Clemens bed sections share the same dimensions on top .. which is why all the attachments work on both. Their bottom dimensions differ slightly which prevents them from fitting together seamlessly.
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This will help:
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This topic has been covered quite extensively in the past. Run a search on the Forum using ALL DATES. I'm quite sure you'll find the info you seek.
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I really appreciate the responses to the stretching issue. I'll be using Madeira for guide wraps from now on without any hesitation. This opens the door to many more color options.
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Some say Madeira stretches too much to trust for guide wraps.. I don't know the validity of this claim. I wonder if it's true. It's not the same issue as tensile strength.
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That's great news. If you have another seminar in the Fall you can count me in! David Gilberg
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The seminar looks great and was probably even better! I wish I had been able to attend. Any chance this will be held again?
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Update: I'm sitting at my wrapping desk putting a long under wrap on a surf blank. My kitten Zoe decided to see what I'm doing so she jumped into my lap and is laying still while watching me wind the thread onto the blank. I have a feeling this is going to become a habit for her. As long as she behaves herself I'm fine with it. Her purring is incredibly soothing as I wrap. Dave
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As a lifelong pet owner I've missed the companionship of an animal for the past ten years. Three weeks ago I adopted a kitten in spite of my fears of the havoc it would bring to my rod work. Zoe (rhymes with Joey) turned out to be a great choice. She knows the desk is off limits so she just waits for me to leave the room before exploring it. At least she shows no interest in the thread
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I suggest using the smallest running guides which allow your knots to pass easily. I used size 8 LDB's on a 10'6" rod with good results.
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Try The Reel Doctor Forum.
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