I use the 17 VSS reel seat as my go to seat, but never use it uplocking. For me uplocking seats always come loose while fishing. I much prefer down locking seats; but that is your choice. With that said, I buy the VSS seat without a hood and use the SK2 hidden thread hood which fits the Fuji Winn thread cover sleeve or carbon fiber sleeve perfectly. I need to trim a little length from the thread
Forum: rodboard

I have Facebook and still do not see them! Norm
Forum: rodboard

I also do not like larger diameter guides. The reason I suggested the 3 guide reduction train is to do exactly that, to put your choke guide (first runner) where you had the KW 12 placed. Another way to reduce the size of your stripper is to reduce the size of your reel. This will not only allow for a smaller stripper but also allow for it to be placed closer to the reel. Like I said a lot of fle
Forum: rodboard

If you are using braid you certainly can push the stripper a little closer to the reel. 38” from the reel does seem a little long, but then again you are using a large reel on a long rod. It seems like you have thing figured out pretty well. I think you will solve your problem by using 3 guides in your reduction train vs 4. As a general rule of thumb the choker guide is place about 2X the distanc
Forum: rodboard

You could also rethink your reduction train and use three guides instead of the four guides you are planning on using. Could use KW 30, 25, 16 (or KW12M). This should give you a good reduction train based on guide heights. Your running guides could all be the same size, either KT10 or 8. Place your guides in position static test via the two line method and test cast to see how it performs. Hop
Forum: rodboard

Thomas, I can certainly understand how having a poor customer service experience can leave a sour taste and turn you off of using their products. For me It has been the opposite experience. I talked to a Point Blank representitive a couple of years ago about the type of rod I was looking for and I bought what he suggested. It performed well above my expectations. In fact I was so happy with it’s
Forum: rodboard

Thomas I know you are not a big fan of Point Blanks and prefer to use other blank brands, which is fine. But to answer your question I do believe the previously advertised PB CCS numbers are accurate. I have personally measured the intrinsic power for several of Point Blanks and they where very close to those advertised. So I have no reason to doubt their data. I have not specifically measured th
Forum: rodboard

The size 6 BLAG are commonly used in NGC casting rod builds as running guides. Their low profile is not a problem at all, and as Tom mentioned may actually be beneficial. How many and what sizes are you using for the stripper and transition guides. In my opinion, for a 7’ rod the minimum number of guides for a NGC layout would be 7 guides total, more commonly 8 guides total would be used, and in
Forum: rodboard

I also have the PB761MHF a great rod. Hard to believe how light and powerful it is. I am seriously considering building another. Norm
Forum: rodboard

David, I am retired so everyday is like a Saturday, I get to do what I what to do when I want to do it. It is a different world when you have to work. If you go let me know and we can get together. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Gary - I think you made an excellent choice. You will not be disappointed. David - if you can get to the ICRBE in NC you can give a lot of different rods a wiggle and buy the ones you like at a discount. Anglers Resource is usually there and they bring their Point Blanks to the Expo. Also a lot of other rod manufacturers/distributors are represented there. It’s fun looking at all of the rod b
Forum: rodboard

I have not tried the RodDancer one part rod finish. I have been looking for something that will give a thin coat over ink that will not dissolve it and still hold up. Maybe I will give it a try. In the past I have used the one part water base finish sold by Gudebrod, it worked ok but not nearly as hard and durable as Permagloss. I still think Permagloss is great stuff for clear coating and refin
Forum: rodboard

I had a problem once with an epoxy finish over a decal, I added another coat of epoxy and it did not solve the problem. I lightly sanded it smooth but did not want to add another coat of epoxy because of the thickness of the epoxy overcoat. So I top coated this section with Permagloss using a foam brush while turning. Came out great! I have also used Permagloss to restore manufactuer’s labels on
Forum: rodboard

David - I have built a spinning rod on a PB701MF with titanium Fuji KR Alconite spin guides utilizing a Fuji 17 VSS real seat with Fuji Winn Grips to fit including an SK hidden thread hood with Winn thread cover sleeve.. Love this rod! Use it with a 3000 Shimano Stradic CI4 with 15# braid. Very light and responsive and will throw lures from 1/8 to 3/4 oz very well with very little effort. I use
Forum: rodboard

How about the MHX Shooter Blanks? I have made several in various power ratings. Make very good short rods for bass. Have made them with cork pistol grips and Winn grips. Norm
Forum: rodboard

David - You are correct, the Point Blanks were/are advertised as having a cat tongue finish. There is a little texture to the finish but is not very noticeable. In fact I did not even think about its finish until you posted that it was a reason you have not not tried a Point Blank. Believe me they are fantastic rod blanks that are extremely light and powerful. I know you like a well balanced rod
Forum: rodboard

Gabriel, welcome! Your thread sounds very interesting. I use a lot of black and will be contacting you for a sample. Looking forward to trying it. Norm
Forum: rodboard

The NFC Blanks are very nice but in my opinion a little over priced, a good buy if you can get them on sale. The NFC HM705-1 is rated as MH and has an intrinsic power rating of 608.39 gms and the NFC IM705-1 has a power rating of 565 gms. So the HM Blank has more power than the IM blank. Another choice you might want to consider is a Point Blank. The PB701MHF has an intrinsic power of 800.62 gms
Forum: rodboard

Chris - A size 6 KLT guide weighs about the same as 4 size 4.5 KLT guides. Micros builds are definely lighter, and you are not using that many more guides for a KR casting rod micro build vs a NGC casting rod build. For example, 9 to 10 guides total for a 7’ KR cast rod vs 7-8 guides for a NGC rod. Weight savings for a KR micro Spinning rod is even greater when compared to a NGC Spinning rod. Th
Forum: rodboard

I Never gave the finish on the Point Blanks a single thought. There is absolutely nothing objectionable or even noticeable about the finish. It is a natural finish that has been sanded with no added finish or clear coat. It looks good and wraps well. I guess if you wanted to sand it more no reason you couldn’t, but in my opinion it is not necessary.;the finish is perfect as it is.. Norm
Forum: rodboard

I now have 4 personnel Point Blank rods and have made several others for friends. They are great rods; very light and powerful and cast lures extremely well. They have become some of my favorites. A while back I did a CCS analysis comparing a number of 7’ M power blanks and the PB701MF had a higher intrinsic power than a similarity rated St Croix V, Rainshadow Eternity, Rods Geeks C4, and NFC H
Forum: rodboard

Depending on the manufacturer you may be able to buy a new tip section. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Tom, I do think that may be the case. Permagloss is a very thin coating when compared to an epoxy coating, and on these grips Permagloss allows for the texture of the grip to still be there. The Permagloss finish it is certainly not as glossy as an epoxy coat. I have noticed that if I top coat with Permagloss over a smooth epoxy finish, there is much more gloss.and depth. So the satin finish
Forum: rodboard

The completed CFX grips that Mudhole sells are ready to go, they are sealed and sanded and have a matte black finish. Top coating with Permagloss give a more satin like finish that I like, for more gloss and depth epoxy coat them. The only problem I have with an epoxy coat is that with time you get a yellowish cast and it is not as hard or as durable as Permagloss. Norm
Forum: rodboard

I top coat my CFX grips with Permagloss. A couple of coats is more than sufficient. If you want a higher gloss and/or more depth use finish epoxy over the Permagloss; no bubbles. Norm
Forum: rodboard

RodGeeks XComp series. Norm
Forum: rodboard

I have found that Threadmaster crystallizes less than other brands of epoxy. I have three brands of finish in my shop right now, both Flexcoat and ProKote have crystallized but the Threadmaster has not. Same storage conditions for all three. Norm
Forum: rodboard

High build is all I now use. Over the years I have used may different brands in both lite and high build. Keep coming back to high build, it work for me. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Although I never use the label that comes with a blank, I just looked at the labels that came with the last 5 Point Blanks and the last 4 NFC blanks that I built and the labels matched the specs given by the respective manufacturers. To pass on an outstanding rod blank because of a label does seem foolish to me, but that’s your choice. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Can’t measure everything. I agree with David that feel is subjective but very important to the user. The variables going into making a rod are many, but this is what makes a custom rod custom. If someone wants carbon fiber guides, that’s fine with me; whatever makes you happy! Maybe one day they will become available to rod builders. Norm
Forum: rodboard