I put tube tip tops on all of my ice rods. I have only built about a dozen and don't plan on building more. I know some guys use line guides at the top. I had a hard time finding small enough tubes to fit the tips but found them. I wish I could remember the company. They're out there tho.
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Greed, selfishness, power and money (not necessarily in that order) rule the entire world. I give kudos and my business to companies in the USA.
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perfect! stay healthy and safe!
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double thanks to you for serving also! Good luck! I am an old nurse and worked with a nurse for a short period that only had one arm. She did have an arm above the elbow and then the other, a normal arm and hand. She was amazing! She did everything every other nurse did...and did it well. Any thing and everything is possible. I hope you can get some help in your service. Building rods has been a
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My ice rod blanks were very slim. When you overlap the elastic multiple times at the tip or butt...whichever way you're going, then roll the elastic up or down the rod it tightens and bunches up. Slip the foot under the band, get it into place, tip the guide ring towards the blank making the guide foot come off the blank, put a very small dab of head cement (I use a pin, toothpick) let the ring
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Many thanks to you John for working with people that protect us!
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Hi Bruce. Flex coat makes an adhesive for the purpose you mention but in my experience it hasn't proven fruitful. I don't like how the adhesive raises the guide off the blank..then the wrap looks funky. I use very small elastic bands, overlap the band multiple times to make it even smaller then as I slide it down the blank into place it bunches up and even becomes tighter. You can buy these elast
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Roger...that is pretty intense! I just slice very thin pieces of flex coat yellow glue stick...put them inside the tip top tube so it is full...heat the tube up with a lighter until the glue begins to almost boil...then slip the top onto the rod tip. I always have overflow squeeze out so I know there's enough glue inside. So many of you all on here are so much further advanced than myself. I am j
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Hi Ben, The bobbin is a good idea. On my smaller blanks or closer to the tip of the blanks I have used small elastics that girls use on their hair. I think that's what the elastics are for because they are that Goody brand. Some of the elastics are only 1/4" ID. I overlap the elastic multiple times at one end of the blank and then as It is rolled down to the desired spot, the elastic actuall
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Derick, I like Flex Coats yellow stick tip top glue. It allegedly withstands more heat and I have never had a top fail.
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I like that set up Roger. I would have liked that when I was doing mine.
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Hey Bruce, I just did a couple ice rods. One a noodle and the other graphite. I. will never do a noodle again! Too hard to work with. I'm sure you guys that are more experienced can do them easily. I came real close to busting it in a bunch of pieces. Mudhole has a lot of ice guide sets and handle kits. I just buy a stripping guide then use fly running guides and a fly tip top. I had some cork I
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I'm with you Mike! If the top slips on easily but with no slop...there will be enough glue. I hate sloppy fits. I have yet to lose a top.
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No Mark, it is not due to any residue. It is on the inside, tip of the sections of most blanks and rods that I have seen. The cheaper blanks seem to be void of the material. It is something done for a purpose. Both Tom and Herb mentioned it is for a reason and better to be plugged. It is a solid, hard material. I am an old nurse and back in the day we used to draw blood in a tube and then poke th
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Thanks Herb and Derick. I think I will put something in the tips of rods that are not plugged. Seems logical not only for keeping crap out but most likely adds a little strength.
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I have wondered what the material is and why it sometimes is there and other times not. Can someone tell me why the tip end pieces of a blank are sometimes plugged with what seems to be a clay like material and other times left open. I would think it is a strength issue but then why isn't it in all blanks?
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I have no where near the knowledge most of you on this site have but before I even read any comments I thought, WHY?? I totally agree with Kent. The builder mentioned must have a lot of time as well as finish on hand. I like my builds to look good and crisp and I like some kind of bling whether it's a nickel reel seat or an agate stripper guide ( I know...more wt.) but I build to fish. I would th
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NP....I gave up also. I love the businesses that I can actually talk to someone when I call. Or, at least get a response to an email. Good luck!
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Thanks Spencer. Yes, I did a build on the iconoclass. It seems like a nice blank. The rod turned out nice. Spencer...do you or anyone else know the purpose of the "plug" material that is in the tip ends of blank sections? Some have it, some don't. I would think it was for strength. I'm all about strength and longevity. This China blank I ended up ordering ( i think a mistake) has t
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I have tried for over a year to contact Lamiglas...no response. I'm sure it has something to do with COVID but even before that they were tough to get ahold of. Good luck!
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Thanks!!! I knew you guys would have answers! I don't have a lathe. I also don't like the reel seat that was a on there. Norman... that is exactly the seat that was there...an old Pac Bay. I think I will just take the cork off and do a fresh cork and reel seat. I love you guys and love this site! Thanks!
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Hi, I'm a little embarrassed to post again so soon but I am doing (attempting to do) something I haven't yet done. I found one of my first rods I built from the mid 90's. It is a 9' 5wt St. Croix Avid. I traded the guy for a spinning rod. The reel seat was pretty beat up and ugly. The cork is dirty but I kind of like that look. I removed the seat without much problem. The seat that was on was one
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Spencer...Names...? Or can you mention them on here? allegedly these blanks are designed in New Zealand and outsourced to a factory in China.
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wow...thanks again Norm. Maybe I am too hung up on American made. I am old and still like to see, Made in USA.
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Thanks Norm! I will check them out.
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The Nirvana blanks are made in China...just found out today....disappointing! I have read reviews and all of them were promising. A couple were in fly fishing mags. Can a rod be really be good when made in China?
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I am pretty sure this information has been on here in the past...just don't know how to find it. Where is the best place to get decals for rod specs. I have a blank that didn't come with that specs sticker and I am no good at all at writing on the blank. Thanks!
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I've read good reviews of people that have fished the rods and some on forums but I have never had luck with dealers admitting to where a rod is made. I have emailed the website but still no answer. I like to get opinions of a lot of people then make a decision. I think the site where I saw them is fairly new. So far I feel they are possibly a pretty good blank.
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Good morning! Has anybody built on or know about NIRVANA superglass fly blanks? Where are they made? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Fuji seats are a little cheaper than Alps but the Alps seat comes with the graphite insert and arbors. You will have to order the locking part tho. In my opinion, Fuji and Alps are close with Alps a little better quality and looks.
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