If you want the rod colour to show through your marbling, then lay down a layer of clear rod finish before you add the marbling colours. Lay down clear, while still wet, start your marbling.
Forum: rodboard

If you are looking to use roller guides, then yes there is a series designed to spiral wrapping. If not then any applicable weight guide will work. Chris
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I have had good results with the Rod Geeks blanks. In the travel series, c266mlf4, c266mf4 and c266mh4. My personal preference is the C266MLF or C266MF, but the guide for when I fish walleye uses a c266MH, and he out fishes me :) In the non-travel, but multi-piece, I like the C266MLF2 and C266MF2. 7 footers as well, C70MLF2 and C70MF2. Chris
Forum: rodboard

Yet a third name for spiral wrapped rods is Roberts wrapped. Depends on number of transition guides etc. There have been attempts to use just a guide ring (mounted on the blank) as the transition as well.
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Mark: You do not need to "use up" a blank to test the performance and effectiveness of the guide train. You can tape the guide onto the blank and test, and if that is not secure enough, just quickly wrap the guides on and do not finish them while you are testing. It took me two attempts to get casting microwaves and sprial wrap to work for me. I did put finish on before I ran into
Forum: rodboard

If you are going to take the plunge ...... put airwave casting guides in an spiral configuration. It works :)
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Don't forget to factor in casting ability and technique. These will affect the blank selection as well.
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Take a look at the St. Croix Blanks 2S70ULF or 5S70LF2
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Veneers are another source
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I use 4 of the 1/4" hole magnets(two pair apposing) with cup washers: Single magnets are available that may be better (more force) than the pairs, but the supplier is local to me.
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Thomas: The Teflon tape does not come off if it is wrapped so that it tightens when the spool is turning. The springs do apply tension to the spool. I use a plastic washer and to allow the spool to turn without the spring digging into the body of the spool. Since that picture was taken, I have started using rare earth magnets for tension rather than springs. The magnets do not transfer the
Forum: rodboard

A couple of screws and a through hole
Forum: rodboard

As long is the rod is in the thread path somewhere after the tension device, the thread can approach the rod from behind or in front. Personal preference.
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Don't be afraid to combine your jewelry making and rodbuilding. I am thinking a silver filigree above the handle or in a split grip. Maybe over a decorative wrap:)
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If a hole in the center of the disk is not a possibility, then clamp the foam between two surfaces. the upper surface would contain a hole smaller than the outside of a bearing and the then apply clamping pressure to the inside of the bearing. This will allow rotation, with out the hole.
Forum: rodboard

Idea 1: A belt sander, a sliding table held at an appropriate angle to the bed of the belt sander, a disk to hold he foam and allow it to rotate. Advance the table until the foam touches. Rotate the disk.
Forum: rodboard

If you want a light tip to balance the rod, use Pac Bay Minima guides once the line is on the bottom.
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Check out RodGeeks for painted Fuji seats.
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Yes it could. the issue you will have is being able to put pressure on the sleeve such that it conforms to the underlying threads. Just elongating the tube may not be enough.
Forum: rodboard

No. Put the mesh tape on the rod. In the past I have biased the tape up the rod to create the diamond shape. Then wrap the thread perpendicular to the rod's axis. This creates the diamond effect. A coat or two of colour preserver and then finish for a basic wrap. I have cut a three inch wide roll of mesh tape into 1 inch widths (was using for bushings), so usually use two or more strips to
Forum: rodboard

Yes, the new mesh tape is slightly adhesive. It is usually put on the wall prior to the drywall compound being applied.
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If the rod is of consistent diameter, and you have wrapped it on the correct bias, then it will line up. The tape can also be coaxed into a diamond shape, to take up some of the effect of differences in diameter. Also when cutting the tape, cut one side flush with one of the fibers, and on the other side, leave the fibers long. this will allow the manipulation of the individual strands to make
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I don't use thread. Mesh drywall tape. Different effects can be done by using strips of tape and by combing the mesh with thread.
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Another option is to use the blue/green painter's tape AND a blocking device to stop the guide from migrating. I use a toothpick that has a slant cut on one end. The slant also forces the tip of the foot flat to the blank.
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I have used two coats of lumiseal on the cedar handle that I made.
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The 17 will be fine. I have used 16 Aero seats on that blank in the past.
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I usually do my wraps first then mount the grips. I do the wrap, cp and then the first, very thin coat of epoxy. Mount the grips, then the final coats of epoxy.
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Beats the -18F we just had :))
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I have only done one tartan and that was on a wine glass stem, so I am not much help there. I used Madeira thread, and put a 2 inch piece in the epoxy as I mixed it. I did not have any issues with Orange Peel.
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This one is most likely six axis, wrapped on a .475 in blank
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