I build quite a few of them. For a 43/4" reel my stripper would be a size 20 Y-frame or a 16 KL-H. Mount your reel in the reel seat and lay the rod and reel on your bench. Measure out 26" from the center of the reel and put a mark. That's where your first guide belongs. Use the straight edge method to space the rest of your reduction guides between the stripper and the first guide on yo
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Tom. I went 1/32" on the rear grip, which isn't quite so critical as the for-grip.
Forum: rodboard

About to take my first shot at turning and shaping foam cores for carbon fiber grips. Question is, how far undersize do you turn them to get the finished diameter you want?
Forum: rodboard

Jay McKnight Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > As a rule, I typically place my stripper guide at > 24"-28" from the CENTER of the reel, 90% of the > time I place it at 26". Tape the stripper guide on > at that point, size 20 high frame will be > acceptable with a 4.5" reel, and measure back from > the tip. Give me that me
Forum: rodboard

As a rule, I typically place my stripper guide at 24"-28" from the CENTER of the reel, 90% of the time I place it at 26". Tape the stripper guide on at that point, size 20 high frame will be acceptable with a 4.5" reel, and measure back from the tip. Give me that measurement, and I'll bet I've got something that will get you darn close. I don't use Alps, and the heights are
Forum: rodboard

Matthew Paul Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > mostly for looks doesn't add strength does add a > couple of Grains of weight the key word is grains > not really noticeable or affecting the rod > feel/action or power. > It is NOT needed I'd be highly surprised if that tip wrap weighed over a half grain on even a fairly heavy blank . No way
Forum: rodboard

It's up to the individual really. I'll take my Michigan handle rods a thousand times over compared to a conventional handle or a sliding ring design for bottom bouncing. .
Forum: rodboard

Torzite will be larger i.d.
Forum: rodboard

Are these new slim sic rings as thin as the torzite's, or not quite? I'm ordering some and wondering if i can get away with a size smaller running guide than i've used in the past.
Forum: rodboard

Mark J. Mire Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Got it, thank you all very much for your time and > input. > The syringe method is proven to work great for > many years with many highly experienced rod > builders. > I sincerely respect that! > > Although, I find using weight I eliminate messy > syringes. Put cup on scale, pu
Forum: rodboard

Mark J. Mire Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'm looking for the weight in grams or ounces for > the 1:1 ratio of Threadmaster epoxy, regular and > lite. > If anyone knows this I would greatly appreciate > it. > > Thank you for your time, > > ~ Mark 46 grains hardener : 54 grains resin.
Forum: rodboard

roger wilson Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Some of the best Steelhead blanks in the industry. Have you built on any of them personally? The only model I've ever built on was the 1302 IM.
Forum: rodboard

I had an accident this morning and broke one of my Batson XST's. Love the rod, but perhaps it's the perfect excuse to try something different. Does anyone here have much experience with NFC's steelhead blanks? I'm looking at the the 962 and 964 models in IM and HM.
Forum: rodboard

Torzite rings are thinner than the alconite and sic offerings. A size 16 torzite has an i.d. of .480, a size 16 sic is .420, and an alconite 16 is .435. I'm not a minima fan, but I must give credit where credit is due, as the size 16 minima 4 I measured has the largest i.d of all at .530. Now as far as size 20's are concerned, I don't have a size 20 torzite to measure but the size 20 sic is .550
Forum: rodboard

Spencer Phipps Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The SS line at Diawa I think is every bit as nice, > and iconic as the DAM Quicks and Abu Cardinals > were in their time. See them on old G Loomis rods > still catching steelhead after 30 years, smelly > and encrusted in egg goo, but still getting the > job done. Haven't spun a new one lately,
Forum: rodboard

Scott, I built one of the 10ft., 8wt. 2-piece Revelation blanks into a Michigan handle spinning rod a few months ago and it's a great blank.. I've also built on their discontinued 9'6" RX7 in 7wt. and 8wt. Both are appropriate, but there have been a lot of double digit fish taken this year, so I would recommend the 8wt.
Forum: rodboard

John DeMartini Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Ed > I have a feeling you will be getting a lot of > response from your question. > > I can only talk as a hobbyist. I build rods as a > hobby, but somehow word gets out through friends > and relatives, and I am asked to make a rod as a > gift or other reason. I DO NOT advertise but
Forum: rodboard

I quit using it too, sometimes it worked and sometimes it turned to poo-poo. I've been using spar varnish too. If it's good enough for Ron, it's certainly good enough for me.
Forum: rodboard

I'm a marine mechanic by trade, and shipyard life is a rough environment for power tools, drills and grinders in particular. Even though they're produced in China now, Milwaukee drills are still the best on the market as far as I'm concerned. We've thrown out buckets full of Dewalt's and Craftsman's.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks guys. I ordered a couple different glass ones and a graphite model. Can't miss for the price.
Forum: rodboard

Robert Wood Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I have been using the extreme taper blanks a lot I > really like the feel and the action. I have used > them for trout, perch, crappie and walleye. The fiberglass ones?
Forum: rodboard

I'm building a few new ice rods, and it looks like these are the hands down favorite. Any thoughts on the fiberglass extreme taper blanks? I want to build some deadsticks for walleyes, and I'm wondering if the fiberglass models will get it done, or should I go with graphite?
Forum: rodboard

I have that same collet chuck and use it with mandrels and a live center. Works well. I also have a small Nova chuck which I use on occasion.
Forum: rodboard

David Baylor Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Roger, I very much appreciate you taking the time > to post those tips. Thank you. > > Lighting is a definite problem for me. When I > finally set up a rod room, I got an LED desk lamp > to use on my table. It's really helped me see my > finish and my thread much better, but it casts >
Forum: rodboard

I don't have a warranty program, so my customers are usually quite honest when they hand me a broken rod. It's never on a fish. It's always from an impact, slip and fall or a car door.
Forum: rodboard

I will warn you in advance. Should you purchase a wood lathe, you may end up like me. I've found turning wood to be more addictive than building rods.
Forum: rodboard

Norman, you hit the nail on the head, thanks my friend. Thank You too as well Roger.
Forum: rodboard

Bear with me, I'm not a casting rod guy, doing one for a friend, and this stuff is making my head spin! He has request a fuji PULS seat. I believe it requires some type of an insert, but I'm not certain if its the same as the PTS inserts. Please help!
Forum: rodboard

roger wilson Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Or new: > > > ts/precision-measuring-tools/slide-calipers/Dial-C > alipers#currentPage=1&displayMode=grid&itemsPerPag > e=24&sortBy=wp/asc I have a pair of Starrett's at work, like my Mitytoyo stuff better.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for all the input everyone. I think I'm going to send my old pair in for repairs, decided I've had them too long to give up, they're kind of like an old friend.
Forum: rodboard