Chris We recommend just a good saturating coat for the 1st coat. A 6 to 10 cc mix will cover that first coat. Here is a video on how we do it:
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Actually I heard Zappa say, "Is that a real pancho or a Sears Pancho." Great Googly Moogly.
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Mike Our equipment is OEM quality and won't phase out. Made in the USA. You want to build rods better than you can buy. We offer a Small Business Starter Kit that will give you the tools in information to build a "beginner" rod and carry you forward with your future builds. You can add equipment and accessories to this kit and build like the Pro's. Buying the best you can get in e
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With Flex Coat finish, we always recommend pouring out on aluminum foil over a paper plate once mixed. This helps pop bubbles, extends the pot life, and gives you a good work surface to let any excess finish drip off the rod and back into the foil covered plate. If you have any bubbles that make it to the rod, you can deal with those with a heat source like a lighter, torch, or a heat gun. Be
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Here is a video on how we do it with our foam butt disc and cork rings.
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Mark Great question. You can put the reel seat on before or after. We always put in on before building the grip and slide on from the tip with a reamed reel seat arbor. If I put it on after the cork grip then I would use masking tape bushings and slide it on from the butt. Put on two layers of tape to protect the blank and reel seat. Yes, cover the reel seat and other areas that need prot
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...or just one rod.
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That is exactly what we do and talk about in the video on making a reamer. Go to the 2 minute mark about reaming cork rings. Find the measurement by doing the first rings conservatively, go back and forth a couple times and sneak up on the proper ream, NO MEASUREMENT REQUIRED. Here is another video that we made about our cork lathe setup that shows the technique with the power reamer and co
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A set of calipers work great for these measurements.
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When working with cork rings we try to keep it simple. In our videos we ream the cork rings either on a power reamer that we build from an extra or old blank that matches the taper of the rod we want to build and some reamer abrasive that we offer in 25 foot or 75 foot lengths or ream them one at a time with a rat tail file so that they slide down in place on the rod blank. We then glue them
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All true. We offer reverse pilot bits and standard pilot bits. We no longer have the kits to make your own pilot bit, but if you give me a call I am always happy to walk you through the process. Here is a video that features both bits in action.
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Great topic! We made this video some years ago. Making a Power Reamer. Better than any reamer you could buy and it matches the taper of your rods you build. We have found 36 grit reamer abrasive to be optimal and sell it in 25 ft. and 75 ft. rolls. We have reamers made this way that are well over 10 years old and still reaming. Here is the link to the video from 2011
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Chase Our Cork Lathe Setup is a great option that works with a drill that you might already have. It sets up fast and can be broken down and put away in a drawer or box. No need to dedicate precious shop space to a bulky lathe that you don't use often. Check out the video and link to our website:
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When building a custom performance fishing rod we always consider three things: Performance, Performance and Performance. In our experience you can't go wrong when keeping these three things in mind when designing and building custom rods.
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Great topic. Our tension devices are of the sort that Roger Wilson prefers, except we have recently added a set of teflon washers that work even with the metallic threads. This makes for a smooth consistent tension on any thread, without incident. Also, we offer a top quality rod wrapper that features a top quality USA made direct drive motor that needs no belt drive and can be stopped and
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The reason we did this video is we have many people asking how we find the spine of a rod. Yes, sometimes we align our guides with the straightest axis for cosmetic reasons. This is how we do it. Indicator is easy to make yourself. Make it your own. That is what custom rod building is all about. Thanks for the constructive comments that makes us all better builders.
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Jeremy We offer many free online videos on our website and Youtube channel that are informative, to the point, and high definition. Here is a link to them on our website:
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We have a video on the subject here is a link:
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Flex Coat Color preserver will solve this or NCP/NoCP thread.
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Some say that yellowing is the most important quality in rod finish. The fact is that all epoxies yellow over time. The number one thing that causes premature yellowing is finish that is not mixed thoroughly. This along with long exposure to the sun's UV rays cause yellowing finish. UV inhibitors can slow this yellowing but the inhibitors are themselves a yellow color, thus comes a balance in
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Silicone Contamination Keep your rod clean, keep your hands clean. Silicone can come from all kinds of places. I have even talked to several builders on the phone that have their finishing station close to the kitchen. Not a good idea. Cooking oil that is airborne can settle on your rod, thread, or work surface. Oil or silicone contamination can and will happen with all epoxies causin
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Brandon We are in Driftwood, Tx just outside Austin. Give me a call and I would enjoy talking to you. 512-858-7742
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Welcome and thank you for your service.
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We make a color preserver that many have used for years. It is important to get a good saturating coat. Flex Coat CP is one part, water based and dries in a couple hours. Here is a link:
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Some like a faster RPM for application out of preference for their technique and particular rod. As far as curing, I have talked to some rod builders that, for their particular style of custom rod, they like to apply thick coats and they say the 18 spins fast enough to not let the finish drip off but not too fast to sling it off. It may also be important to keep in mind that the slower the RPM t
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Sebatian Our products, finishes and glues are designed and built to be OEM quality and last for years and years. We have great short videos that are full of information and won't waste your time. Check out our website or call us. www.flexcoat.com 512-858-7742
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Nice, Roger! Looks clean.
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Robert The Rod Builders Epoxy Glue (in the red and black label) is an adhesive epoxy for gluing cork, reel seats, EVA, etc... Here is a video on how to measure and mix our epoxy glues: Our epoxy finishes for thread wraps, lures, and such are labeled in the black and yellow. Here is a video on how to measure and mix our finishes: We have new labels, but we have stayed true to the co
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St. Croix uses Flex Coat on all their rods. Use untreated nylon thread that matches the blank.
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