If I finished a rod tonight and it was on the turner at about 8:30 pm, at what point is threadmaster going to be cured enough to take this rod to the lake? I've searched and only come up with pot life and one post where it didn't cure in 24hours since it was applied cold. I'm just impatient, it's my first completed rod! And I'm wanting to fish with it tomorrow... what do you think, ill advi
Forum: rodboard

Cliff, I actually didn't see it at fishsticks4u but that looks like the same rod. Thanks for the heads up, you may have just saved me an additional $20... which will allow me to upgrade on components a little! I will also look into bounceback rods. I'm not familiar with them. Thanks again. Keith
Forum: rodboard

I'm wanting to build a heavy duty bass rod... this will only be used for swimbaits (1.5-4oz) and ledgebuster spinnerbaits (1.5-2.5oz) In looking through all the sponser sites at blanks, it has become appearant that a Musky blank would be the best route to go. I have 2 issues with all the musky blanks I have seen, first is most have tips in the 9/64 to 11/64 which makes selecting a tip top a
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the info. Yes it is cork. This is on a spinning rod so I need the foregrip... at least part of it. I was surprised how much it rebounded in 24 hours... I decided not to sand it down since I was afraid I would mark up the blank (even if careful) What I ended up doing last night was to take a plastic ball point pen body systematically crush the rest of it to even out the bad areas.
Forum: rodboard

I had to make a fairly major alteration to the rear portion of a previously mounted grip, last night... all was well until this morning. I removed my rod from the cork clamp and found that I had deformed the rounded end of my foregrip (from the wooden clamp) where it meets the blank. In my opinion, it's compressed on one side nearly half the thickness of the cork... looks terrible since it's u
Forum: rodboard

Well, according to the heights listed in Cliff's link, a YSG 20j would be about 8mm taller than a 16j... that would solve my straight line problem. But would that create another problem of choking the line too much from the #2 guide to the #3 guide... 20j down to a 12j? Thanks for all the help! -keith
Forum: rodboard

Mike, Do you have a height measurement for a YSG 20? My concern is that to keep the current guide frames in line with the string, I'll have the 2nd and 3rd guides about 3 inches apart. Since I have already determined that the spacing is good per the static distribution testing, where does that leave me? Does this tell me I should have bought a YSG 20 as my butt guide instead of a 25? Th
Forum: rodboard

The angle of the picture makes the 12 and 16 look about the same. If I move the guide to the string, it would be only a couple inches from the next guide. I just took some more measurements and think I may have figured it out. The height of the guide, measured from the rod blank (bottom of foot) to the top of the frame is as follows... 25 - 2", 16 - 1.25", 12 - 1" Since
Forum: rodboard

Bear with me if this is an obvious one... this is my first rod! I have taped on the guides and done some static adjustments... I like the guide placements with the rod under load. What has me confused is the height of one guide out of whack with the rest. I have YSG 25, 16, 12, 8, LSG 7, 7, 7, tt. When I pull a string from the shaft of the reel to the intersect point, everything is perfectl
Forum: rodboard

Andy, Glad to see you are back! I hope you had a great Christmas and got some well deserved time off to spend with family. I saw your exotic rings and think they look real good, and am planning on buying some for sure. I recieved all the back issues of rodmaker in the mail today... good timing as my internet was down all day. I got to spend a few hours reading past issues cover to cover!
Forum: rodboard

I have thought about this a few times before... but after recieving cork rings from 2 different suppliers in the last week... both advertised as "premium flor grade" (when it should have been advertised as "lathe practice material" instead) and priced pretty high, and both sets were substandard IMO. The basswood handle post from this evening intrigued me since I'm a longtime
Forum: rodboard

You can use a good carpenters wood glue on cork rings, but be sure to use the blue label (at least in titebond brand the blue lable is water resistant and rated for outdoor applications) Cork is actually bark so a good wood glue will work. I think you'll still have to epoxy the cork handle to the rod blank if you use graphite or glass. Just curious, what is your hesitation on epoxies?
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for confirming.
Forum: rodboard

Is there a big height difference between a TSG and TLSG? The TSG looks a bit taller in photos but since the photos are different angles and likely different ring sizes, I can't tell how different. Could someone who has or has used both please give me an idea of the difference before I order some? (if it matters, size 7 or 8) Thank you, very much!! Keith
Forum: rodboard

I think it will be a while before I attempt any long or decrative wraps! Good to know that if left alone for a day or two, the thread tension can change, I wouldn't have thought of that. Does that mean I need to wrap and finish all of my guides the same day? Thanks for the info!
Forum: rodboard

I feel silly even having to ask this but do I need to use CP with metallic thread? I wouldn't think so but I am learning quickly not to assume things! Thanks -keith
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the info, gentlemen! I don't worry about the guides pulling free, especially since trying the forhan locking wrap. I just didn't know if the singles were stout enough to be used in the butt section of these rods... I'm just getting started (trying to learn as much and fast I can) in this and have yet to build a rod. (my first 2 blanks are currently wrapped in Christmas paper!)
Forum: rodboard

I'm a little confused on guide selection... Is there some formula or rule on the strength of single vs. double foot? I see that many are using single footed guides on casting rods and I had planned on it as well, at least in the upper half. But as I thought about it and went to some tackle stores to look at how the high end rods were built, I noticed NO consistency, even in the same brand.
Forum: rodboard

I read the article by Rich Forhan in the library and he mentions: "Fuji's new "J" ring series, sizes 6J, 7J, 8J, & 10J have a shorter eye-to-leg distance which makes for a much stronger guide." I have looked through some catalogs to find them and ran across inconsistent labeling... some labled J in one catalog and not another, etc. Can you tell me which specific g
Forum: rodboard

I too had the same question, as I have used Loomis IMX and GLX rods almost exclusively over the past ten years and didn't know how to compare them... there is not an apples to apples way to compare the two. I wonder if we called mudhole or one of the other suppliers that carried both, if they would weigh some similarly rated blanks. Unfortunately my leverage is gone, my wife ordered a couple SC
Forum: rodboard

I spent over an hour yesterday admiring the work in the photos section of the site. All I can say is: Wow, you guys are incredible! I want to know how you learned such great threadwork? Are there any books you can recommend, that will teach an eager but true beginner how to weave? I'm interested in artwork as well as letters/numbers in thread. I know it will take lots of time and practice
Forum: rodboard

Tom, Thanks for the info! I do consider it a priviledge to get advice from the man who "wrote the book" on rod-building! (how many times have you heard that before?) The back issue web page is down at the moment but i'll find it tonight and try to order. Best regards, -Keith
Forum: rodboard

Do you use anything to protect the blank from a guide's foot rubbing on it, if you don't underwrap? It seems to me that even if you smooth out the bottom of the foot there will still be some damage to the blank as the finished rod is used, since it's still metal on graphite. I like the idea of underwraps but want to use titanium framed guides... the extra weight of finished underwraps, in m
Forum: rodboard

Dave, When you get the saw take your framing square and lay it on the saw, one side against the fence and the other against the blade. (unplugged, with the blade pulled down in the cutting position) That will confirm it's true or not. Repeat with the saw set in the 45 degree stops. That's all you need to worry about in the begining. When the 0 and 45 are set right, the stops in between wi
Forum: rodboard

I actually laughed a little when reading this... after weeks of reading and learning here, this is the first thread I can actually contribute to! Buying a mitre saw can be confusing due to litterally hundres of them available. One thing you may or may not know is that most of the cost in the "expensive" saws comes from capacity to cut large stock. Even the $600 Delta (which is a
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the info, I finally got the print catalog and it shows the picture with the dotted lines where the blank will be. The one I was planning to order is centered. Best to all. -Keith
Forum: rodboard

I am thinking my way through the process of my first casting rod and have a question. I am going to use a fuji exposed blank reel seat. The picture (of said seat) is at a funny angle in the catalog so it's hard to tell how off center the blank will be in the seat, relative to my cork rings... I looked at several rods I have with that same type seat and all but one of them require the cork to b
Forum: rodboard

Great info, I really do appreciate it!! I can see that I'lllearn a LOT hanging out here!! Thanks again, -keith
Forum: rodboard

Please excuse my ignorance, this is all new to me. I read Tom's book and also the articles in the Library part of this site. I have (I think) a decent grasp of guide sizing and placement... but since I am new and don't have an inventory of guides to experiment for optimum size & performance, how do I figure out what sizes and heights to order in advance? (or must I stock an inventory of gu
Forum: rodboard

Mr. McKamey, Thanks for the info, I had hoped that the loomis quality hadn't slipped because I have been a raving fan for many years and have my eye on a few of their blanks. I will definitely give you a call as I get to the point of actually ordering supplies, maybe before to ask some specific questions about the blanks you carry. My gratitude to all of you for jumping in and sharing yo
Forum: rodboard