Yes, the one from Hydra are also quite nice. A number of different options out there. Norm
Forum: rodboard

The CTS Crystal Coat is the thinnest modern finish I’ve ever used. I doubt very much that you need to thin it. Norm
Forum: rodboard

The Fuji WCS winding checks have a small tenon which fits inside of the threaded barrel portion of the reel seat. The tenon is a very tight fit, and almost snaps into place. Since they are plastic, the hole can be reamed slightly larger to fit the blank. However, I would recommend getting a size larger WC, this makes fitting a lot easier. The slightly larger hole size gives a little more room in
Forum: rodboard

I’ve never used the Black Hole jigging rod blanks. The rods I built were for casting lures to schooling tuna in the Gulf of Mexico, not for deep jigging. Norm
Forum: rodboard

I’ve built four tuna popping rods this year using Stryker SW7105 and SW745 blanks, with KW guides and DPS 20 reel seats. Three had carbon fiber split grips with full wells carbon fiber fore grips, and one with EVA grips. These blanks are made in the US and are quite nice. The people I made them for love them, and have caught some nice fish with them. Norm
Forum: rodboard

I don’t see the RodBuilding app listed in the Apple App Store. What happened to it? Norm
Forum: rodboard

Which part of the ferrule is broken, the tip section or butt section? If the tip section, you may be able to get a new tip or a new blank from the manufacturer’s warranty. At the very worst, you may have to buy a new blank, and then use tip section from it. If it’s the butt section part of ferrule is broken, then you have to think about removing the reel seat and grip. If the reel seat and grip
Forum: rodboard

If you like it, it’s fine! Norm
Forum: rodboard

As I stated in the link given by Travis, I use a drill bit set where the drill bit size increase in 1/64” increments. I find a drill bit that fits snuggly into the hole of the fighting butt, and turn it by hand until it bottoms out, then repeat with the next size bit until the fighting butt fits the blank. They work great if you don’t have a lathe by gradually increasing the hole size which helps
Forum: rodboard

SJ or MB? Both will make good inshore rods, casting or spinning. NFC MB736 X-ray IP 668 AA 71 NFC SJ736 X-ray IP 793 AA 75 They are both in the CCS data base. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Ok, I got it. Your method of wrapping over the decal would work. Carefully removing the old decal, cleaning and smoothing the area before applying the new decal, would also work. Norm
Forum: rodboard

What’s wrong with the old decal? Could it just be refreshed with a coat of epoxy or Permagloss? Norm.
Forum: rodboard

As others have suggested, mix a little black pigment into your pro paste mix, and then apply the pigmented epoxy into the gap. Remove any excess epoxy with an alcohol wipe. The black pigment can be VooDoo dust, marbling pigment from Mud Hole, or even the pigment from enamel model paints such as Testors, which can be found in many hobby stores. For the model paint allow the pigment to settle out
Forum: rodboard

Since most slip bobber rods are lighter powered rods, I normally use the SeaGuide MKG runners. For their size they have a larger ID than ceramic guides, plus they are light and inexpensive. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Depends on the size of the bobber stop knot or bobber stop you use. The bigger the knot or the stop the bigger the running guide you need. I use beads with very small holes and this allows for the knot to be smaller. A size 6 runner will work for most medium to small stopper knots. However, will need to empirically determine which size runner work best for the size knots and/or stoppers you are u
Forum: rodboard

I’ve repaired numerous rods by using blank pieces from other broken rods. I’ve also stripped down and refurbished a bunch of other rods with modern components. I enjoy doing this because it is alway something different and challenging which involves a lot problem solving. I have a large stash of broken rods that I use for repairs. Nothing get thrown away. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Spencer - Did not know about the Fish Hawk number system. So, quite helpful. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Alex, is this the picture? Norm
Forum: rodboard

I have an old Gudebrod 50 yd spool size A color 358 regular nylon. Do not know what Gudebrod called this color, but it is a medium green to my eye. You can have it if you want it. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Stryker rods are made in the USA, and they have some nice blanks. Norm
Forum: rodboard

We don’t know what type of fishing he will be doing, but NFC has a variety of different travel blanks for different needs. I recently picked up four different ones and they all seemed very nice. Norm
Forum: rodboard

The RV6 was specifically designed as a butt guide for casting rods. That’s it only use, and it works great. Norm
Forum: rodboard

The RV6 only comes in titanium frames with either SIc or Torzite rings, which are two of the smoothest and slickest ceramics available. Their properties significantly reduce friction and thus line wear. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Why is that, if non progressive spacing is better? In my opinion, there is no need for non progressive spacing. Norm
Forum: rodboard

If you look at all the KR guide spacing diagrams published by Fuji, none of them are non-progressively spaced. In my humble opinion, the non-progressive reduction guide spacing that the KRGPS sometimes gives is a glitch rather than an intended measurement. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Mick! Norm
Forum: rodboard

Non-progressive spacing bugs the @#$%& out of me! As mentioned, it probably doesn’t make that much of difference in performance, but it really bothers me. Non-progressive spacing is one of my pet peeves, because it makes no sense, but that’s just me. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Les - Yes, my testing with the Invariant versus movable choke points was conducted using the same reel and line for each rod length. As I’ve mentioned before, to help me visualize the line path though the guide train I do the following. I attach the reel, run the line through all the guides, attach a light a light weight to the end of the line, and then holding the rod horizontally I press the
Forum: rodboard

Here is a Fuji video, narrated by Jim Ising, which visualizes how the KR concept works with both spinning and casting rods. The KR casting concept is the last half of the video. Norm
Forum: rodboard

Here is a Fuji video, narrated by Jim Ising, which visualizes how the KR concept works for both spinning and casting. Norm
Forum: rodboard