Question... I’ve been building handles for quite awhile now and need some expert opinions. I love building custom grips but when I comes to the butt I feel there must be some tricks you can pass along to make things easier. I have done it 2 ways, by reaming the grip then applying the solid end cap and then reinstall it on my homemade cork lathe by arboring it and shape the cap down to size or.
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I just wanted to publicly thank a couple of our vendors. Both Mudhole and Get Bit have been great supporters of our High School Fishing Team! They have given us great help and incentives for our team to build awesome custom rods! I had 9 boys and parents in my basement this week working on rods for the upcoming season. It’s amazing to watch how many beautiful rods we’ve produced over the last f
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Hey Bill Is there a way to look back at these older issues to find your jig or the ones that were listed in the above post? I found the excel doc listing of articles and there are SO MANY I’d like to read! I’m pretty handy and made my own cork lathe, cork clamps and multi-thread wrapper so I’m sure I could figure something out. Chuck
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Thanks for all the answers! I literally spent 2 hours the other day trying to wet sand the groove marks out of my jig! Got most of it out but still frustrated on the scaring. I do get Rodmaker Mag and did read the great article on setting up the jig in the article but I was many concerned with the “slicing” jig. Thanks for the info on the saws mentioned above! My only concern is that they wil
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Hey folks, Need some help. I have been using the cork jigs from Mudhole and have been having some issues. First, inconsistent slices and cuts. I use the recommended jewelry saw that fits the grooves but it wanders a bit. I end up sanding them on the table top to eventually level them as best I can. Second, on the slicing jig mainly, I’ve begun to get heavy scratches and even small grooves cutt
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I agree with pretty much all the comments above. I to have most all the retail rods I’ve accumulated over the years stacked in a corner of my garage. I will probably donate these to some organization at some point. I would say that patience is a big deal and we all have torn wraps apart more than once. One thing I’d like to offer is before you jump into building practice. I found that a small woo
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Just a quick question... I have never really done anything special when handing over a finished rod to a customer but wondered if you guys have any “special touches” you attach or present the new owner? I feel like I’m handing one of my kids over sometimes after spending so much time together :) thanks for any ideas! Chuck
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I agree. I have only used drywall tape but have had outstanding results. I usually don’t use CP unless I’m using nylon thread. Color fast thread has not had any issues for me. Just finished an ice rod with dragon scale and it came out awesome! If bubbles are a concern, either blow on it or pass a flame by it several times. Good luck! Chuck
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I appreciate the feedback. Do any of you have a worksheet you use? I saw Tom had one but I can’t locate it after several tries? You can email me if you want as well. Trying to make sure I have the right tools from the start. Also, I live in the upper Midwest and will primarily be bass, walleye and panfish rods. Both open and ice rods. Thanks again! Chuck
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I’ve decided to take the plunge and have set up a new business selling my rods. Can any of you share any criteria you use for setting up your pricing structures? I’ve given rods as gifts many times and want to keep the two separate. No cutting prices for some but not for others. Do some of you use a flat fee plus material or a rough % of final cost? Not sure how I want to proceed and want to s
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Hey Brandon, Mudhole has a simple chart on their website. Chuck
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Have a couple of general questions on types you would suggest. I’m building 2. One for walleye and one for pannies. I’ve seen some use regular guides but otherzs prefer metal. Could you give me some guidance on preferences and sizes you like to use? Thanks for your help! Chuck
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I’ve been thinking about trying my hand on some feather inlays on my next rod and wanted some guidance on how some of you approach it. I realize it is a detailed technique and wanted some tips and instructions on how to start. CP is used from what I’ve seen but if there is any other way to go I’d like to know that as well. I’ve looked at some of the beautiful pictures posted. Where do you get a f
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Have any of you had any experience with their bass blanks?
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Wow! Sure didn’t mean to cause such an outcry for grammatical precision. I’ll be sure and dot the I’s and cross the T’s from now on. Thanks again for the help! Chuck
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A local rod builder near me uses rubber winding checks that are extremely tough but very flexible. They will pretty much do everything I have built so far. The ones I have been getting are .375 and will accommodate blanks over .60+ with no problem. I don’t mind buying a few from him when I need to but it’s a long drive and I’d like to keep these on hand. He told me “they have their own factory th
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Myself, I find it easier on the blank. Before I even attempted it on an actual rod though I practiced on a couple cheap $1 wooden dowels. Practiced chevrons and diamond wraps in several color combinations just to see how they looked before putting it on a rod blank. Practice practice practice I always say...
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Thanks everyone for their input! I appreciate all the responses so quickly.
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I’m new to this and have a quick question. Just built cork clamp made from threaded rod. I saw these on YouTube and they looked sweet. I’ll let you know how the work afterwards. My question is what to put in the rod to keep the glue from sticking? I’ve seen mention of paraffin and I’ve also seen light coating of vaceline. Which would you guys use on threaded rod? I’m using wood glue to glue the
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