Finally finished up all my stock of Gudebrod color preserver so I went with FlexCoat water based CP. Don't really care for it, first off it looks like elmers glue and it leaves the threads dull. They lose their brilliant color and end up being a dull or muted color from original. Is this common with the water based CP's or is there another brand ( preferably) a non water based product somewhere t
Forum: rodboard

That blank is listed as a tip being size 23 or 9.1mm , wow thats a telephone pole
Forum: rodboard

Roger just to chime in and add my opinion, I fish only for Steelies, Browns and once in a while Salmon. 95 percent of my builds are for Steelhead and trout. Being a first time builder stay a little simple, down the line you could try hidden hoods on seats. Also my hands are xl-xxl my ring size is a 15. so I understand what you mean. Largest reel seats I use on my rods is a 18 , 20 22 or 24 the
Forum: rodboard

For the past 30 yrs i've been balancing rods by not putting on the butt cap until the rod was finished. once complete with reel on the rod I would cut pieces of pencil weight and epoxy the weight into the butt of the rod and install the butt cap. Works perfectly while also acting as the blanks plug.
Forum: rodboard

Tony thanks for the advice , went on their website and they are only open mon through friday, and they say they don't sell retail. I'll call them monday and see if they can help.
Forum: rodboard

Roger, I bypassed the speed controller for now and it work's great. My rod drying motor is part of the set up so the speed controller if added between the wall and wrapping unit it's going to affect the dryer performance. I'm up and running, I'll deal with it when I have time, thanks for the help.
Forum: rodboard

Looking for some direction, Seems the rheostat on my American Tackle rod wrapper has gone belly up. Where and how's the fastest way to get a new rheostat so I can get back up and running. It's the 110V model. Any and all help is welcomed. Also can anyone voice their thoughts as to why there is even a speed control dial when the foot pedal is a speed controller also ?
Forum: rodboard

Was hoping for a good story on a runaway power wrapper.
Forum: rodboard

Time to lighten things up during these times. We have all had a major blunder while learning our craft. While in the moment i'm sure we all wanted to break the blank over our knee or send the spool of thread across the room like a 90mph fast ball, but looking back I'm sure we all laughed it off once things got back to going smoothly . I'll start it off. Many moons ago when I started building rod
Forum: rodboard

Roger very nice work on the rod supports and wrapper. Your craftsman ship is very impressive. That Blue motor that drives your wrapper is huge, either it was swiped from a Tesla or the worlds largest Singer Machine, LOL Anyways very creative and executed job. Did you source out or create the large red and blue wheels on the stands.
Forum: rodboard

I really like the finish on the blank itself. How is that finish achieved without add weight to the rod, I don't want to change the action , and IMO I would think the added weight would make the rod rubbery.
Forum: rodboard

Not sure where in Pa. you are but Lake Erie's tribs hold plenty of steelhead that are active now. All you need is a 7 or 8 wt fly set up with a handful of egg imitation's a couple of dark stone flys and some wolly buggers. You're not alone , everyone is feeling and fed up with the covid restrictions. Look at the bright side, you don't have a Governor named Cuomo !!!
Forum: rodboard

Yes 2 coats of Flex Coat, no problems what so ever. Finished 2 rods already with it, very nice to work with.
Forum: rodboard

I posted a couple weeks ago looking for Talon American gold thread, after ordering more than a few different spools from different suppliers I found one that almost is the perfect match. Found it on Amazon, the make is Robison-Anton , Gold Metalic thread color 1003 and comes in 1,000 yard spools size isn't listed but seems to be a size A. Not springy like most others I've tried and lays nice and
Forum: rodboard

From the pics you posted they look like someone tried to replicate the Fenwick style handle and seat. Back in the 80's I built more than a few rods on the fenwick blanks, Brown's Fenglass and the Feralite blanks along with the yellow ones, even their gray Fenwick matrix blanks. Also owned more than a couple store bought Fenwicks. They're manufactured rods to the best of my knowledge always had a
Forum: rodboard

Been using Mudhole for quiet a few years now and found their customer service to be one of the best. I have about a dozen different guides on back order now but I don't fault them, I understand covid has really screwed everything up. A lot of people sitting home I would imagine are building rods to pass the time, so the component shortage is very understandable. Shipping to customers has slowed w
Forum: rodboard

Wondering if anyone has some info , Years back Talon American was my favorite metallic Gold thread . Can't seem to find it anywhere, did they go belly up or does anyone know where it could be found.I have plenty of other Gold Metallic threads, but they are just not the same, most want to unravel off the spool like a spring and the finished result is not the same.
Forum: rodboard

Better than the Q-tip is a cotton ball, the fibers are puffier and much easier to catch on a cracked ring than the Q-Tip
Forum: rodboard

OMG What a disaster for repairing rods. I like the blow torch nice touch. One has to remember with all his sponsers he probably has paid for a rod in 40+ years. That goop he smeared inside the guide ring must make casting a joke.
Forum: rodboard

I've added to blanks plenty of times. I always make sure the end of the main blank is covered by the reel seat. I'll use a piece of an old blank or rod and epoxy it over the main blank over laping it by atleast 4 to 5 inches. If you add by inserting it into the butt of the main blank chances are your butt grip will flex too much because you would be using a smaller diameter piece than your origin
Forum: rodboard

Mike it sounds as though you didn't wrap over your pull loop enough, reading your post it sounds like you only went over it once. I will usually wrap 8 to 12 times over the loop before I pull the end thru. Second, what Terry says makes a possible save on your wrap when you pull your short tag end thru twist your couple of end wraps to help tighten the tie off , it may help tighten your tag end
Forum: rodboard

Guys , thanks for the input, guess I'll order one up.
Forum: rodboard

Found 2 different blanks for the next project. Building a 10' 8wt steelhead fly rod. Located these 2 blanks, wanted a 2 piece rod . Rain Shadow Revelation REVF 1008-2SB or Pac Bay Tradition II T2F 1008 can anyone voice their preference which one is the better blank for my build.
Forum: rodboard

Correction, in my earlier post I stated about my finnish coat changing color. I found the old bottles I had and it was 2 part epoxy, the hardner turned red. Still worked but opted not to use it, but found it sitting next to my reloading bench.
Forum: rodboard

I'm a fan of using Denatured Alcohol
Forum: rodboard

Don't narrow your search so much, being a rod builder you can always go with a longer blank and cut the butt so you end with 7'2" - 7'4" Or choose a shorter blank and lengthen it. I just finished 3 centerpin rods that the customer wanted 13'6" 2pc and I used 13' 2pc blanks sometimes you have to think outside the box
Forum: rodboard

Try Ed's Threads and Lines 407-808-9100 Ocoee Fla He carries alot of Gudebrod products
Forum: rodboard

Is it me or did mudhole stop selling Flexcoat top coat finnishes. If so who is a good supplier for rod building products.
Forum: rodboard

I use mostly NCP thread but I like to use CP to hold the butt wraps so they can be trimmed then cover wrapped. I used to always use Gudebrod non water based CP for years and never had any problems. I also know mixing is not an issue or measuring. I'm going to order a new set of Flexcoat finnish and CP and see how it goes. Thank you everyone for the input.
Forum: rodboard

Bill I understand what your saying, Over the past 40yrs I must have used gallons of FC, I am very careful when measuring , that is not the case here. I think it has to do with the color preserver that I have used. Either I want a good color preserver that is a good match for FC or another quality top coat and color preserver to replace what I'm currently using.
Forum: rodboard