I couldn't think of a more descriptive subject topic. Bear with me. I've purchased 3 four-piece fly rod blanks from different sources. Two did not have the issue I'll describe. I'm working on a blank from a name manufacturer, and the issue is the O.D. size difference between blank sections. I have a "production" rod that I'm comparing it to for the measurements I'll provide.
Forum: rodboard

This is in interesting topic - My interest in building rods started with a simple desire to see how they're put together. I found a kit, without which I don't think I could have gotten started. It helped me find this website (for which I provide comic relief by my questions and ability to mix up millimeters and centimeters) which I enjoy so much. On my second build, I bought a blank
Forum: rodboard

I'm sort of the perpetual amateur builder on this forum. My advice is to not hesitate at all about asking questions on here. The people on here are nice, and very helpful. Going slow is great advice, and difficult for me to follow. Just remember that you're going to look at and use that rod for years. What's another couple of hours or days to try to get it right? All the best-
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Tom I didn’t cast them, so have no idea on balance. Btw you’re doing a great job- this is a great resource-
Forum: rodboard

I’m new at all of this… A mention of rod weights on a recent thread got me thinking. I use a factory rod (an older FTU Green Rod) that weighs right at 4 oz. I fish for redfish and trout with topwaters and soft plastics. A friend came fishing with me who had a couple of rods that felt a lot lighter. That was rigged, so the reel could have made a difference. How light can you reason
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Herb -
Forum: rodboard

Thank you- good information
Forum: rodboard

I'm experimenting a bit with thread sizes. I started with nylon Pac Bay size C, and just wrapped some replacement guides in size A. The application is for fly rods for fresh water and inshore saltwater; and baitcasters and spinning rods for inshore saltwater. Just conversationally, what do most people use for thread size, and does it really make a difference in strength and performanc
Forum: rodboard

Good point, Michael- My original post in this thread was after the first coat of epoxy. I could see the sharp edge of the ramp. After a second coat it blended in pretty well. It looks good now. Thanks everyone for the tips.
Forum: rodboard

Gentlemen - Thank you!
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Roger -
Forum: rodboard

I just replaced a couple of stripping guides on a fly rod, and they'll work just fine. Building a few rods and following this board, however, has uncovered a little perfectionist streak in me, and I'm not completely happy with the way the they look. So... Removing the old epoxy over the old thread is no problem, but I am having trouble removing and/or smoothing the old epoxy "ramp&
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, everyone
Forum: rodboard

I'm still pretty new at this, but I'm looking at an earlier build and really don't like the way I did the wraps and don't like the way the epoxy laid on. All user issues. I plan on just removing all of the guides and re-wrapping them. I do like the rod and all of the components. I did a couple of searches, but did not seem to use the right search words. I did not find anything on re-wrappin
Forum: rodboard

I just have done a handful of builds, with varying results. I don't have the experience or understanding of the hobby to make suggestions, but I will point out something I noticed. I was wondering about why loading the brush with epoxy yielded different coverage on wraps until I did the simple math to calculate surface area of - for example- 10 centimeters of rod near the grip and the same
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Michael!
Forum: rodboard

Thanks- I’ll look into it
Forum: rodboard

The last couple of times I went fishing I used one of my son's casting rods. I absolutely love it for casting bigger topwaters, which I do a lot. I'd like to replicate the action in a blank that I could build out with the components I want, but without a uniform measurement system and documentation of that by the blank manufacturers, I really don't see how to identify what I want. The Co
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the ideas, everyone- If I find someone with steadier hands than mine to paint on a couple of numbers, what is an appropriate paint to use?
Forum: rodboard

The "expoxy over label" posted earlier reminded me of my own question. I just used a blank in a build that came with a label that's not to my taste, it's just too big and long. I'd like to label the rod very simply, like "905" to cover the length and weight. Any suggestions on where to get decals or labels for something simple like that? Does Hobby Lobby carry that ty
Forum: rodboard

Thanks so much- This is exactly the sort of info I was looking for. Tom
Forum: rodboard

I'm new to building, still working on terminology, and am seeing and trying things for the first time. I'm building a fly rod from an inexpensive kit, I've upgraded a few bits and pieces, but for me it's a good way to keep learning. The blank I bought has a flat finish, that in the sunlight turns from the gray my color-blind eyes thought it was to a deep green. I noticed that there was a
Forum: rodboard

Robert A. Guist Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hello Mike. > > After you have cut off the tag-end take your > pull-loop and pull it in same direction you are > wrapping (I wrap down in front so I pull down and > back, mostly down). > > And if that doesn't do well wrap 15 threads over > the pull-loop, but 10 should be fine.
Forum: rodboard

Hi John - Many thanks for that offer. What great customer service. I applied another coat last night- the Lite version- and I'm pretty happy with the result. I need to get the rod out in the sun for a final look, but again I think it looks pretty good. Your company's video tutorials are great, by the way. If I run into some sort of hitch, I'll give you a call. Take care, Tom
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the help everyone - This forum is very useful, the responses friendly and on point. I'm going to do some more research, do some testing with additional coats. This whole experience - starting to build rods - has been really fun and interesting.
Forum: rodboard

I'm new to this... On my first build (4pc fly rod), I used a Flex Coat all-in-one kit. I was happy with the results. On the second build, I went back to buy more epoxy for the guide wraps, and the guy behind the counter suggested Flex Coat Lite. I'm not as happy with the finish. It's a little uneven in places, too thin in others even after a couple of coats. I'm completely confident
Forum: rodboard

I read a lot of these posts, just trying to figure out the language of rod building. The original post in this thread included, "Also, how big/small of a loop is acceptable for the tip when rotating the blank?" One of the answers was, "A 0 diameter loop of the tip is acceptable. But, even a 3-4 inch look can certainly be used, but perhaps not as well as if the loop was closer
Forum: rodboard

Gentlemen- Thanks again. One leg is actually about 1.5mm longer than the other - just on that one guide. So, I'm going to trim one end down. The tips given will really help planning my next build. I'm at a point where I don't know enough to know what I don't know - so this board and your help is invaluable.
Forum: rodboard

Perfect. Thanks for both tips.
Forum: rodboard

As I stated in earlier posts, I'm a new builder. I was wrapping a couple of snake guides last night, and noticed when I finished that the width of the wraps varied on of the guides. It took me a minute, but I figured out that the length the the guide feet (on only one guide) were different. So..to get the width of the wraps to look uniform, I need to file off the end of the one of the guid
Forum: rodboard