Dan, Here's yet another blank worth considering. I built a striped bass spinning rod for a guy in Jersey that sounds familiar to what your needs are. The blank was a Seeker SPS78 7'8" 12-30 lb one-piece. I wasn't able to actually fish with it but it had a very nice and solid feel to it. I think the blank was gloss black if I remember correctly. It also cost a small fortune to ship. Ra
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Orange, purple and white.
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Tom, I think there are mixed feelings about that. I know some builders don't put a coat of finish on before wrapping and never have a problem. I always put a coat of finish before wrapping the guides strickly for peace of mind but that's just the way I do it. Others will tell you that it's not required which is fine too. I think either way is OK. Randy.
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Mike, If you would so kind could you also send a copy to my email? I'm interested in feather inlays but don't really know where to start. Thanks, Randy.
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Antii, I also use PCStitch to design all my weaves. I don't know if Mick uses it not but would be glad to help with the design if needed. Randy.
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Mike, I use Aftcote on a regular basis and I get excellent results. But, I've found (through trial and error) a couple of things that make things easier. My routine is pretty lengthy so I don't want to elaborate here and bore everyone but would be glad to send you the info to your email address if you'd like. Randy.
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Barry, Your Email is hidden so I can't send it to you. Mine should be working. Email me and I'll send you the link back. Randy.
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Chris, Hi, just curious which class you signed for? I've been contemplating taking a bamboo rod building class sometime in the future. Randy.
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Barry, Just realized that I wasn't supposed to list the price here. If you send me an email, I'd be glad to send you the link. Randy.
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Barry, I buy mine online from a place that sells 1100 yard spools for $1.65 each. And, they have just about every color imaginable. Randy.
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Larry, Can you post a couple of pics? I'd be interested in seeing the outcome. Randy.
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Kneale, Try "Custom Rod Thread Art" by Dale Clemens. There are several in there from basic to advanced. Randy.
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Gregory, I buy a lot of my stuff from either Mudhole or Angler's Workshop. They are on the Sponsor's list to the left. Randy.
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Chris, Hi, I'm right down the road from you in Temecula. There is a shop in the LA/Long Beach area (I think) that offers a basic rodbuilding class. The name escapes me at the moment but it will come to me. I'm not familiar with the other class you mentioned. I've built a couple of rods with the Rainshadow blanks and I think they are fine. The rods I built were smaller ultralight spinning ro
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Bill, I don't know what type of decals you are using but I use water transfer decals all the time on black (thread or blank). I "sandwich" the decal between finishes and they come out almost 3D looking with no visible edge. I use a lot of gold decals which look awesome on the black background. Also, I never have to use CP. Jimi's decals at Decal Connection are first rate. Randy.
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DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Mike, I just sent you an email. Randy.
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Joe, What I do is turn the rod around on the rod supports and use the chuck portion of my power wrapper to support the blank tip before the actual guide tip goes on. I build up the tip with masking tape thick enough for the chuck to support it about 1/4" to 1/2" in length. Of course, I premeasure the length of my tip for the starting point of the wrap. I put the first support about
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Doug, Flex Coat sells a guide adhesive that will hold the guide without a strong permanent bond. I have some but seldom use it because most of the rods I build are heavier saltwater rods and masking tape works fine. You can fine the adhesive online pretty easily and it's relatively cheap. Randy.
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Larry, Maybe look at the Calstar E Glass blanks as well. One of my favorite blanks to build on is the 870 and the 870H.
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I just finished a "Chargers" Rod on a black Calstar blank using navy blue, light blue (throw back color), goldenrod and white.
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Trevor, Everybody has their own preference on which finish they like to use. I think they all are pretty much self leveling but some have different pot/cure times so it just depends on what your comfortable with. I presonally like Aftcote because it seems to tolerate heat pretty well and flows good. It has an extremely long pot life (compared to most) but I seem to get the best results with i
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Bob, I use a Dremel all the time for prepping the feet and cutting blanks (diamond wheel). I wasn't even aware they had such a tool and for the price, sounds like a good investment. I just ordered one, THANKS for the tip. Randy.
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I've never had that problem (or any problem for that matter) with waterslides.
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Tom, Yes, I was referring to that style of guide. I call them Turbo guides but I guess that's kind of a trade name and not what their actually called. I'm anxious to try them anyways even though I've never used them before. Just trying to get a bit more insight should I get a customer request for them. My understanding is that they are (more or less) a somewhat light trolling guide and not
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Hi all, Just a question regarding the turbo-type guides. I just finished a rod more out of experimentation than anything else with Fuji turbo style guides but have yet to actually try them. My questions are do many builders out there use them and what are the pros and cons? I can't seem to find too much specifically about them over the internet. Randy.
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Bill, I've got a signed picture of him with his car in the foreground. It's a decent picture with a great shot of his car. I'd be glad to email you a JPEG of it if you'd like. Randy.
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Scott, I've got one and have been using it for about a year now. I use it all the time and have no complaints. Definitely recommended.
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