Torin hit the issue right on the head. It's delaminating. I have not tried using a core with bark, but it's a great idea.
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I'll 4th the Rainshadow IP840. However, it's not cheap, it's inexpensive.
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All the more reason IMHO to build/market rods based on performance and not looks.
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Josh, sorry, no I don't. I do know the St. Croix medium power blank is a pretty decent blank overall if you can find them. Wade - that's interesting, I always felt the Thornes were a much faster action than the Croixs. I never liked the Croixs much for their slower action - very similar to the blanks you find on a junk Frabill rod. If I set on a 6" gill and the rod almost doubles over,
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I saw those yesterday too Bill - they look SWEET.
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Wade - I absolutely agree with you on supporting the sponsors of this site. I buy 99.9% of my supplies from site sponsors - actually the blanks I bought from this other company are the only things I've ever bought from a non-sponsor. In this case, he has a product that nobody else does - period. I thought MRR was buying their blanks from him, but I'm pretty sure now that is not the case - and
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I bought 4 medium light action solid carbon 28" long blanks from a supplier who is not a board sponsor, so I'm not going to list his name here. They are I believe, the same blanks that Midwest Rod and Reel carries - I think they buy theirs from him actually. Anyways - INCREDIBLE blank, and he told me they are made in the same factory that the Thorne and St. Croix blanks are made. I belie
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Guys, is there a tutorial on this split tube top deal? Unless I totally missed it, I haven't seen anything about the spefics of what you are doing. Thanks!
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Last time I checked with Wild River, they only sold to people with business #'s - is this still the case? If not, does anyone retail for them - I'm interested in the glass blanks, graphite blanks, and the guide sets on that flyer. Thanks!
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I have the wolverine system with the woodcraft slow grinder. It's a great setup - I'd estimate 95% of guys in my woodturning club and others I've met use the wolverine system. If you are using HSS turning tools, there is no need to spray water on them, dunk them, or etc. They are very heat tolerant. However, when you sharpen, you use a VERY light touch, you aren't grinding the tool, you are s
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Tom, I don't need any tools, I have enough already. But - I just wanted to commend you on this offer for new turners. Awesome.
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Titebond III - only way to fly :-)
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Roger, I believe Thorne Brothers has them - just google for the website. TB makes the nicest factory ice rods anywhere - and the blanks are expensive compared to other ice blanks. I think the one you want is called the Professional, and I believe they have it in 36 and 48 inch lengths. Great laker or pike jigging blank.
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thanks Bobby!
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Bobby - who carries that tip? If the ring is a 4.5mm that would be a PERFECT tip for me!! Bill - I've been itching to go micro on an openwater rod, but haven't taken the plunge yet. Been following the posts and articles in RM very closely though :-) Direct comment on freeze up: I'm a pretty, ok, very, serious icefisher - I much prefer it to fishing openwater even. I think 'guide fre
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I know how many different directions this thread could go with that subject - but here's what I'm after :-) I build ice rods and have never been able to find a good quality tip for them. I have access to the St. Croix tops that are metal ringed (like the Berkley SS304 guides), but can't seem to find ceramic ringed tops that have tubes in the 2-3/64 range. They are available on factory ice r
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Marc, if you feel like dropping a set off in Woodruff, I'd be HAPPY to give you a second opinion :-) Heck, I'll even come to Phillips to get them ;-)
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Great post Bill, First order of business - get rid of the fancy buttwrap :-)
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Here in ice-fishing country, deadsticking (as I've most commonly seen it spelled) is an effective presentation for icing finicky walleyes and crappie. I say 'deadstick' Wait - how do you spell crappie, crappy, croppie ????
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I didn't bother to read the whole thread here - but my 0.02 is that the best companies that offer the best deals are located on the left side of your screen. I've looked at other companies and their prices are never better than some of the retailers that sponsor RBO. Some are more expensive than others - shop around. More important than the price, they offer great service and sponsor this incr
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Marc, I'm so ready for ice it hurts!! Gear is being organized, lakes are being evaluated. Just need to spool some tipups and jigging rods :-) BTW - looked at your line at R&K's in Woodruff - looks good. The owner said they've been selling well. Good job!
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Marc, I think you will find the Batson blanks to be very durable in their respective modulus ratings. The RX-6 are darn near bulletproof. The problem you are likely having is more due to operator error or negligence though, than blank issues. Customers are hard on rods, that's just the bottom line.
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Darn, here I logged onto this thread hoping to learn something about Private Mortgage Insurance! Tom Kirkman - mechanical engineer, top 2 or 3 most influential rodbuilders ever. Out of his league. Man, now THAT is funny!!! LOL!! Do you think some rodbuilders never actually fish? Or that they don't even build rods? I do, oh yeah, I do.
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check out the article in the library here for the easy to build wrapping jig. Simple, cheap, and works great.
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I have the same problem - no matter what I try, as the rod is turning it gets bonked by the guide as it rotates past and I can't keep the line consistent. Minnow lips. Hmm. Tell me you haven't been kissing sticklebacks!!!
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LOL - great tongue in cheek :-)
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The Batson reamers are pricey, but worth it for me. I'm young, 35, but I have a decent case of carpal tunnel going on. Reaming by hand is hard for me - the Batson reamers are great because I just chuck them into my Makita cordless drill and ream under power - I love them!
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I'll bet they subscribe to Rodmaker :-)
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Rodbuilding can be anything ranging from a low-volume production assembly process all the way up to a highly refined art. It all depends on the person. Believe me, I've seen my share of 'custom' rods that are pathetic excuses for a fishing rod - they make a Wal-Mart special look good. And, I've seen rods that I simply stare in awe at the creativity and talent of the builder. My first rod
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The Jet Mini's made now have the indexing head on it as well - labeled as the 1014I. I have one and the indexing is a nice feature if you have a need for it as stated above. I think for most people there are other features that are much more important - variable speed being one of them.
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