Greg, If the guide ring is 90* from the blank, the stripper in particular, many can be mounted in reverse to eliminate any line slap on the legs. I have done so with Fuji HBs and LCs and it works very well, although admittedly unknowing if better than mounted conventionally. It is similar in theory to the RVs. However, all the KWs I have used (up to size 20) feature a (forward) sloped ring and I
Forum: rodboard

Thank you for the compliments. Also thank you to Billy for adding a link to the pics in the photo section. I am unfamiliar with how to create a link = any help would be appreciated.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Tom.
Forum: rodboard

Grant, Thanks for the interest. Don’t feel rained-on; we were not allowed to take hand-held computers into math class in the 60s-70s but now a student is probably not allowed into class WITHOUT one! I am able to view my posted photos in the “Photo” section of this site under “Thread Art” and then “Mark’s Floating Single Thread Diamond Wrap”. Sorry I cannot assist further but if you are still ex
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Tony. Now I just need a rod build to apply it to. Hopefully others can find an application as well.
Forum: rodboard

While practicing social distancing and without any pending rod orders, I have been toying with different ideas for thread wraps to keep myself occupied, amused, out of trouble and hopefully escape boredom. While many have been lackluster, or just too involved, I came up with a rather appealing wrap that may lend itself particularly well to those of you who like and produce butt cross warps such a
Forum: rodboard

Zach, Please explain “dragged” further IE what you did and what the end result looked like.
Forum: rodboard

Richard, Thank you for taking an interest in my search for a telescoping UL blank. I would think there would be an even larger market for a telescoping UL rod which could easily be put in a backpack for mountain trout fishing, but all I have seen are probably 15lb rods and up. And I have still only seen rods but no blanks. I am anxious to learn what you discover.
Forum: rodboard

Anthony, My U40 Rod Bond resin was crystallized when I received it; I just thought that was the way it was. While mixing with the hardener, it smoothed out fine due to the chemical thermal reaction as well as the mechanical thermal reaction of the mixing itself.
Forum: rodboard

Richard, I hope you get a lot of replies so I can learn as well. I’ve been looking for quite a while to find a 7ft UL telescopic blank to no avail. Can any of you steer Richard and me in the correct direction?
Forum: rodboard

Mick, Be prepared for a lot of personal preferences. When getting right down to it, all of the common big name brands such as Winthrop, Aftco, Stuart are all good, reliable products. I have recently become very fond of All American Roller Guides but have only used with their @#$%& series for spiral-wrapped roller guides, the only such rollers in existence. They are excellent quality and persona
Forum: rodboard

Michael, It is always easier to understand one’s own description than from someone else. Sorry if I was confusing. The method is simply adding and dropping threads just as if inserting an inlay thread and/or changing colors in the middle of a base wrap. But then, there may be other methods for that as well. The only difference is adding the second color (or base color) after only a few rotations
Forum: rodboard

Well, the overwhelming majority use Mike’s method and that is certainly fine; use what you are comfortable with and gets the job done. I suppose that I am so used to adding and dropping threads in the middle of wraps it just seems second-nature to use it for the trim band as well. None the less, I am surprised NO ONE ELSE does it that way.
Forum: rodboard

Herb and ben (again), Thanks for simplifying things for me!?!?!?
Forum: rodboard

Travis, I am thoroughly impressed you have already purchased nickel/titanium wire; I don’t know if it is the same alloy as the Recoils but that really does not matter. You are a better man than me; where did you find it?
Forum: rodboard

Travis, Such a noble idea/desire deserves further exploration! All American Roller Guides are just that; fabricated by the owner Steve and his wife in Tustin, CA but then you are probably not looking for rollers. While I realize you are looking for American-made components to purchase, what rod would be more custom than one with builder fabricated guides and reel seat? The reel seat is easy = T
Forum: rodboard

Herb and ben, I am jealous of those who easily get hundreds of dollars for a custom rod with simple wraps. I find potential customer squawking about the price if I try to make $50.00 labor for a rod which requires eight hours on the guide wraps alone.
Forum: rodboard

Mike’s method will certainly work as well. Since I had not thought or heard of it, I tried it a half dozen times with good results. Two things were observed though; the trim thread has to bend 90* when starting to wrap around the blank and even with twisting the thread tighter, could leave a slight puffy spot just as it appears from under the main wrap (possibly paying attention to the direction
Forum: rodboard

Michael and others, My guide wraps tend to be a bit more involved with trim bands, inlays, modified vine leafs, open spirals and such because I rarely do butt wraps but like the subtle elegance afforded in the other threadwork. While obviously requiring more time than a single color, plain wrap, after a little practice they can be included with only a couple minutes of additional time. I do not
Forum: rodboard

Carl, Consider investigating the FG ferrule system I developed before proceeding. Search “CARL” (Constant Arc Rod Link) in the forum and photo sections. Contact me with further questions.
Forum: rodboard

Steve, Thank you for taking the time to offer all of us your excellent reply. While technology is required for the advancement of our world, all too often it eliminates or forgets the craftsmanship of yesteryear. I appreciate the beauty and rock-solid performance of almost anything hand-crafted versus cheap things with designed-in planned-obsolescence spit out by machines by the thousands. Thing
Forum: rodboard

Thank you for the on-going replies. I would like to hear from the veterans as well, especially concerning the transition from bamboo-to-FG-to-CF. Don’t be shy, let’s all have some informative fun!
Forum: rodboard

Taso, For such circumstances, I usually and simply face the end of the barrel/bushing with thread finish, usually with an appropriate pigment but not required. It may require more than one application but leaves a nice, comfortable radius ramp between the blank and barrel.
Forum: rodboard

Scott, You were indeed lucky to retrieve the rod! I suspect many rods will float if the ends are sealed to trap air inside. I also suspect after installing a reel, most will find bottom of the body of water in which it was dropped. I have read one article in RM concerning rod floatation devices which prompted brief investigation else ware but none found seemed appealing from a practical perspect
Forum: rodboard

Is that why I experience so much trouble putting 40lb mono on my 750 UL spinning reel?
Forum: rodboard

Todd, Are you still with us?
Forum: rodboard

Albert, Coming from the structural composite industry, we almost bathed in acetone and used it to de-contaminize surfaces for subsequent epoxy/composite application. However, for whatever reason, such may not be the case within rod building. I have listened to, recognized and adopted the procedures of Tom, Roger, Norman and others to only use an acetone wipe-down just prior to the application of
Forum: rodboard

Paul, You are a good listener and seem to have taken all suggestions and advice to have all your bases covered. One thing though; you are still referring to your KTs as TKBSG5 rather than TKTSG5!!! Don’t make the mistake when ordering!!! Good luck. Many of us would appreciate an update after your build is completed. Please keep us posted.
Forum: rodboard

Albert, I rarely use nylon thread in favor of NCP. I also rarely use CP. I do slightly dress the tip of guide feet to produce a smother, less abrupt ramp, admittedly against the advice of many including Jim Ising of AR and Fuji. Since I use NCP thread, the color (difference) of the dressed foot is no issue. I have experienced permanent markers such as Marks-A-Lot may bleed a bit when coated with
Forum: rodboard

Paul, You are correct in that the benefits of a spiral wrapped rod will not be as pronounced on a lighter rod such as you are building. You are also correct that it will not hurt anything. If you decide on the spiral, I agree with you in liking to keep the line off the blank. But you do not need a 90* bumper guide to do so and one will hold the line unnecessarily far away from the blank (especi
Forum: rodboard