SPONSORS
2024 ICRBE EXPO |
Results 61 - 90 of 204
11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
I have tried marbling over paint. I didn't have any difficulties. I painted a section of blank with Testors' Model Master metallic paint (brushed). After it dried, I then applied a thin coat of finish to which I added drops of finish colored with Pearl Ex pigments. I did not try manipulating the colored sections with a toothpick (or, anything else), but simply let the motion of the blank bei
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Thanks for all the replies. You have all given me some options which I hadn't fully explored. I am continually amazed at how helpful and considerate foks on this site are. Without rodbuilding.org, I would never have advanced my rodmaking skills from "really terrible" to "passibly mediocre".:) Again, thanks to all.
Slainte,
Hunter
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
I am considering using a 5" EVA foam shaped foregrip as the rear handle on an ultra light spinning rod. I have used one of these in the past with split grips, but never as a simple rear grip. However, I am at a loss as to what to use to close the end of the grip. There will be no tenon over which I could fit a butt cap. In the past, when using Tennessee handles, I simply glued an appropr
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
As I only build a few rods each year, and since I've been a bit involved in the care of an out-of-town elderly parent the past few years, I guess I haven't been paying as much attention to the world of rodbuilding as I should. Or, at least, I've been ignoring some of the industry's developments. Which brings me to my question: which of the three Ultimate Epoxy Gels available from RodDancer mos
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
65. Re: Aftcote?
Don't all finishes eventually yellow? I know some do it more slowly than others, or newer formulations do it more slowly than some of the older ones, but don't they all darken eventually? However, when applied thinly, how noticeable is it on the final product? It is one think to notice that the fluid in the bottle is getting brown, but after it is mixed and applied to wraps, can you tell? I h
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
I don't think anyone buys from a custom rod builder, or takes up rodbuilding as a hobby, to save money. I know I learned to build my own rods because I couldn't find what I wanted in my local tackle shops or in the catalogs of BPS and Cabelas. Additionally, I calculated that my first rod would have sold at retail for around $80 and it only cost me $120 to build :), which didn't even include the
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Additionally, Perma Gloss will also melt the graphics off decals if not gently applied over them. This is one of my many self-taught rod building lessons!:)
Tight lines,
Hunter
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Thanks for the responses. Of course, waiting until you've loaded the brush, however lightly, with fresh epoxy to determine whether it should be applied seems a bit problematic, but maybe that's just me.:) At any rate, I'm hoping the ten to twelve hours of elapsed time will be sufficient. Again, thanks
Tight lines,
Hunter
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Making allowances for seasonal temperature differences, typically I prefer to apply the second coat of finish well before twenty-four hours have elapsed since the first coat. I use a craft stick to stir the epoxy mixure and I use it to judge how well the finish has set. Presently, I am working under some time contraints and I am curious just how tacky the first coat can be before the second is
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
A friend broke a rod the other day that isn't readily available commercially. It was a 6' spinning rod with a heavy action (1/4 to 1 oz). (He prefers the shorter length for smallmouth fishing in a kayak.) He is not looking for a high end replacement. St Croix makes an SCII casting blank that would work (2C60MHF) but I am wondering if there are other options. Also, I have never tried trimming
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
71. Re: Tennessee
I took up rodbuilding, because at the time, I couldn't buy a rod with a Tennessee handle in the store. I have found a couple of choices superior to electrical tape. Especially in the summer when the adhesive begins to ooze from between the wraps.
First, I really like the silicon tape you find in the plumber's section of your local hardware. In some instances, it will be called "Tommy T
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
And, if you think a cat can create havoc for rod building, you should give fly tying a go! Fur and feathers, doncha know!
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Then, this begs the question, at least for me, what are the requirements rod builders must have in their wrapping threads? Regardless of material, I think its diameter and color must be uniform. It should be strong enough so that it doesn't break while wrapping. The color should be reasonably stable. If a thread meets those requirments, why shouldn't it be used? Once an epoxy finish has pene
Forum: rodboard 11 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
It's a fashion statement! In another decade, you won't see nearly as many. Wait another 10 years, and they'll be making a comeback. They may be on the same cycle as vested suits!:)
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Well, just to let those that responded know, I decided to try and master the Albright knot, and I decided to go with 5 mm rings (Alps). I am reasonably certain that casting won't be a problem even if I continue to use the uni-to-uni knot. I did watch the video linked above, and found it very useful (thank you, Bill), but I also pulled out my old copy of Mark Sosin's and Lefty Kreh's Practical F
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Thanks, everyone. I had resisted using an Albright as I can tie a uni-to-uni knot practically in my sleep. The Albright isn't more difficult, but I didn't want to bother learning a new routine. Now, I guess, I'll learn a new routine. As the guys at Possum Lodge say, "I'm a man. I can change, if I have to, I guess!" Again, thanks to all.
Slainte,
Hunter
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
I am in the process of acquiring components for a new baitcasting rod (primarily for smallmouth bass). In the past, I have always used 6 mm rings for my running guides. My baitcasting reels are spooled with 30/8 Power Pro, but I almost always use an 8 lb copolymer leader attached with a double uni-knot. While I am perfectly happy with the #6's, I am succumbing to all the buzz regarding micro g
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Thanks for all the replies. I found all the responses informative. I've owned fly rods that had fighting butts, but I have never seen anything other than cosmetic value in them. I have never used them , or felt the need to do so. And I've been flyfishing for nearly fifty years. Then, again, we have precious few fish in central Virginia that might warrant their use. Oh, well...
Again, thank
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Well, then, another question. When fishing for American shad, or striped bass making spawning runs, do any of you actually put the fish on the reel? In my experience, in Virginia's James River, I strip the line and rarely put it on the reel. If I do put in on the reel, it is usually just for the novelty of it. Additionally, I can't ever remember putting a black bass on the reel. None of thes
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
I am preparing to build a 9'6" seven weight rod. Primarily, it will be used during the spring runs of American shad and striped bass, and, later in the year, for river smallmouth bass. Every manufacturer of which I am aware would add a fighting butt to this rod. Why? I cannot see the rationale for these species, but there is also the very real possibility that I am missing something. An
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Didn't Batson simply change the nomenclature in its catalog from "Mag Bass" to "Bass Cast" without changing their products? I think they also did away with the use of the term "Spin JIg". I think one of the concepts most difficult for newcomers, to rodbuilding, to grasp is the notion that there are very few square pegs to put into round holes. Just because manufac
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Out of curiosity, has anyone found a published "spiral" scheme that didn't work? I have bulit rods using the "simple spiral" wrap described by Terry, and I am more than satisfied with their performance (freshwater, smallmouth fishing). I seem to recall an article (in RodMaker Magazine, I think) that suggested a transition guide was superfluous. I believe the author said tha
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Could someone correct my thinking on this matter? It seems to me that casting distance should be of little concern, or of secondary concern, at best. The primary consideration ought to be the number of guides necessary to keep the angle of the line's deflection, at acceptable limits, when the rod is under load. It seems to me that the minimum number of guides required to accomplish this is the
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Personally, I think there are better alternatives to electrical tape. First, you can keep the rings and over wrap them, and the reel foot, with Rod Wrap. This will accomplish a couple of things. First, the reel is firmly secured. Secondly, the Rod Wrap makes for a better grip, IMO, and anchors the rings nicely. Or, instead of electrical tape, 3M or otherwise, try using black plumber's tape.
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
85. Re: CP on decals
I have put CP under a decal, but never over it. I was advised to do this to keep the edges of the decal from curling. I am not sure it makes a difference, though.
Tight lines,
Hunter
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Doug,
Are you mistaking the thread wraps on the tip of the female section of blank for a ferrule? If so, I think Tom has an article with guidelines for such wraps, and they are generally necessary to reinforce the female end of the tip section.
Slainte,
Hunter
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
I am actually the real cheapskate here. I use a very nice sable hair brush I purchased at a local arts supply store. And I have used it over and over and over and over, ad nauseum. In the long run, it is cheaper than the "cheap" disposable types. When I bought it, I also purchased a palette knife, and it has been a bit useful applying epoxy finish, also.
Tight lines,
Hunter
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
Thanks for the replies. Anyone have any thougts about the butt caps?
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
I am preparing to build my first fly rod in quite some time. The last one I built didn't have this issue. I have a Pac Bay Nickel Silver uplocking reel seat with a wood insert. Securing the wood insert on the rod isn't an issue, however, what is the best way to cement the the rear hardware to the wood insert? I was planning on using Threadmaster Ultimate Epoxy Gel, and I couldn't think of any
Forum: rodboard 12 years ago
Hunter Armstrong
As an old fart whose first fishing rod was made by TruTemper (or, True Temper, it was a long time ago) and was solid fiberglass with chrome steel guides, I find some of this a bit amusing. Of course, I remember when folks claimed that when the day came and they couldn't get up and cross the room to change channels on the TV, etc., etc., etc. Similar things were said about power windows in the c
Forum: rodboard |