Hope someone out there can help me get a rough idea on a suggested starting point for Microwave 18-8 guide set for an 8'6" Bushido musky XHF blank. I'm questioning the # of runners provided and am leaning toward adding at least one #8 runner. Never built a musky with Microwaves and wasn't sure if I even should go with 18-8 or step down to a 12 for the stripper? If someone could at least g
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Make them yourself. I have been having great success with an inkjet printer and water slide paper.
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I agree with most all of these recommendations. Braid is a fantastic material for pulls and works great! However, 90% of the time it’s fine for the job except when using white or silk thread for a more transparent look. I had some unfortunate mishaps occur which left residue from braid and appeared as a slight green mark right at the pull. A white braid, white thread or mono solves this in those
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Just when you think you’ve heard everything, someone comes up with something like this! Can’t wait to see some pics!!
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The best thing about the wire chuck is that you can clamp a handle or straight on a small diameter blank. I build a lot of ice rods and they are a wonderful addition to your shop! Chuck
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Brett Just my opinion but I’ve used the LZR guides on several builds and have had zero issues. Thin rings, light weight and nice profile. The gunmetal color looks nice with custom cork as well. We build with many brands and have found most of them to be great to build with. Sometimes you have to just try them and see what you think, right? Chuck
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Hey Bruce Try Bass Khang. A lot of us that build ice rods use their stuff. They carry tips for noodles that have made my life a lot easier! Chuck
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Hey folks, I’ve been making custom cork handles for some time now. I love the looks of these and how it really adds to the custom look of the rods I build. I just started integrating EVA into some of my handles and have noticed that the EVA seems to stain (for lack of a better word) easily and dull a lot of the colors down. I’ve tried water and soft brushes...etc but nothing seems to clean i
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Hey guys, One tool I’d recommend is a Stanley Surform. Under $10. Use it to take grips down close to size then finish with 60-120-220-400 sand paper. Chuck
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I have been using smooth aluminum rod in various diameters. 1/4 - 3/8 - 1/2” meet most all my needs. I have 3 different lengths in each one 3” - 5” - 10”... again they fit the majority of my builds. If they need a little snugness I just use a couple wraps of masking tape. Chuck it up in your lathe, drill or drill press and shape away. Been doing it this way for years now with no issues. Any hardw
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Hey Gary Agree with everything said here. One other tip... if you go to a hobby store like Michaels or Hobby Lobby they sell very thin sanding sticks...almost like emery boards cut into long thin strips. I have found them very useful for small areas around guides and very delicate areas. They come in different grits as well. Good luck! Chuck
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I too have been trying to figure out the “thicker” blades for the modified olive branch. I’ve tried doubling, stacking etc and still can’t get it to look right. The one in Docs video isn’t what Jon and I are speaking of, I believe. Docs has thick verticals but the blade/branch is still a single thread. The ones we’re speaking of the angled blade itself is made to appear wider. Hope someone can po
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I’ve been turning EVA with sandpaper as well with no problem. As was mentioned, you can buy it in cylinders from MH which is much easier to work with IMHO. Blocks seem like an unneeded step. I use same grits as when turning cork. I also use a handmade drill lathe that I outfitted with a dimmer switch to vary the speeds when needed. Chuck
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Question for everyone... I have been using bands to attach reels to my ice rods for several years now. They’re fine, for the most part. I have been continually seeing posts about using silicone tape recently and decided to get some. After looking into it for a bit I noticed lots of colors are now available as well as clear. I make my own handles and some are rather intricate. I purchased some of
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Just started integrating some EVA with cork into my custom handles. Really enjoy working with it and love how it looks. My question is I’ve always used cork sealer on my all cork handles but can I still use it with the EVA? Thanks for your help! Chuck
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Hey Tony Also, look at Bass Khang. They have very similar blanks to what you’re speaking of and he sells glue in small tips that I have used on occasion. Chuck
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Most of us have always used a #3 or #4 fly guide. It’s a bit of a pain but it’s not that hard to do. Chuck
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Just a quick question... I build my own cork handles and have decided to incorporate a little color into some of them - primarily ice rods. I've been using the normal round cork jigs for years now and they seem to work just fine for cork handles but I'm having a dickens of a time getting nice cuts/slices with the EVA? I use the GYROS thin blade saw for my cork work but I saw a video once where
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Hey Todd, I do quite a bit of smallie fishing here in MN and love the MHX DS822. Comes in lots of fun colors and is also my go to walleye rod! I agree with Ben, jump in and start building as it is a great hobby! Chuck
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Sorry. I meant email me. Chuck
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Hey Gary, I started making my own handles for all my builds several years ago and never looked back. I buy my cork from 3 sources and have had great luck with the quality and variety I have used. You don't need a fancy lathe either. If you're going to dabble in wood...maybe...but I have turned hundreds of open water and ice fishing handles on a simple lathe I built myself. I use primarily
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It’s that time of year again and we’re starting our ice rod builds. I have always used a fly guide wrapped on the tip but, as you all know, it’s really a pain - especially on noodle rods. I’ve decided to try some very small tube fly rod tips on some this year. My question is since these tubes are so tiny, how do you glue them? Hot melt would seem to be difficult and I’ve never used quick set epo
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Release the ring every few seconds as you walk the ring down the reamers.
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Just a quick question. I’ve been building my own custom cork handles for a couple years now and am thinking of integrating some color into them with EVA rings. When assembling my cork handles I always use waterproof wood glue but can I use it on the EVA as well? Maybe a silly question but don’t want things separating when I could have used quick set epoxy for those sections. Thanks in advance fo
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Do what Mr Gross said.... Works like a charm!
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Ben Eipert Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I am trying to get a replacement guide. It is the > carbon fiber framed guides on the Daiwa AGS rods > (https://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/rods/tatula_eli > te/index.html). Does anyone know where I could > find these? I am not turning them up at my usual > sources. > > Thanks in advance
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Hey Ben, Did you have any luck sourcing those CF guides? Just had a buddy ask me to replace 2 that are damaged as well. If you did, can you let me know please? Your email is private or I would have contacted you directly. Thanks for any information! Chuck
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I have, on several occasions, used the Prowrap braid in pearl as a center for chevron and diamond wraps. Pearl tends to pick up almost any color you use. It really makes things pop IMHO... Chuck
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I have, on several occasions, used the Prowrap braid in pearl as a center for chevron and diamond wraps. Pearl tends to pick up almost any color you use. It really makes things pop IMHO... Chuck
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That’s pretty much what I’ve been doing. I just wondered if anyone had any lil tweaks they’ve come up with instead of building a new arbor every time...etc. thanks for following up!!
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