Ok, so I decided to remove the butt wrap since the haziness was too much for my taste. Well, I was at Michaels craft store today picking up some supplies and noticed this gold/silver/red metal leaf and had an idea! So I bought it, got home, stripped the nasty finish and my butt wrap off and experimented with the gold leaf. all I can say is WOW!!!! I think the hazy finish was Divine Intervention!
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the advice Kenny. I don't think the lighter was the problem cause I held the lighter to the side of the rod so no soot would be deposited on the finish. I tend to think either Tom's suggestion about the CO2 and humidity was the problem or more likely I just got the finish too hot and caused the microscopit bubbles to form. I'm gonna try wet sanding with 400 grit but in the end I think
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Thanks all for the suggestions. I am a little dissapointed in myself since I praticed many times not only with the thread wrapping but mixing and applying the finish on an old rod scrap. Just goes to show that pratice doesn't allways make perfect! John Bunner
Forum: rodboard

Ok I have read the many posts reguarding this topic using the search feature and I think I may have made 2 errors. I will post my question and read your responses to see if my 2 mistakes are the correct diagnosis. I have a hazy, smoky finish on my butt wrap and tiny bubbles can be seen all over. The odd thing is that I mixed the finish and applied to both the wrap and the decal/ hook keeper
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Thanks for the comments Bill. The balance is spot on and as far as casting goes, she casts farther than my factory St. Croix with the same reel. I can only get about 35 yards but that is with the guides taped on so if I cast any harder they skewer sideways on me. I used the New Guide Concept Primer in the library and did the best I could. I was using guides sized as follows; 30,20,16,8,8,8,8,8TT.
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Thanks for the comments all. I was pretty sure test 2 was the right one. Bill- It is 5 1/4" from the TT and seems to work just fine. Adding another guide to the top makes the tip awefully heavy ;) John
Forum: rodboard

Hello all Set up test via Tom's instructions in the library. This is my first rod so I need some expert advice. Rod Specs: 6'4" SCIII Spinning Rig Test Photo 1 5 guides + TT 16,10,8,8,8 Test Photo 2 6 guides + TT 16,10,8,8,8,8 Which looks better? I'm leaning toward photo 2. Thanks John Photo 1 Photo 2
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Randy, you are the man!!!! Fixed it! Thanks ;)
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On my computer I can no longer see or click on the sponsers that "used" to be on the left side of the RBO page. Has anyone else experianced this? This seems to come and go so I'm pretty sure it is not my computer. Thanks
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Thanks Steve. That darn handle has given me more headache's than I care to count. Most of the problems with it occured due to me using a drill for a lathe and I learned that with a drill lathe you should glue up the pieces BEFORE working on them and not reaming to fit before you are done on the lathe! :) Mike, thanks for the kind words! It is tape on the guides. The pic is a "Final Fit&q
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Hello all! Just wanted to drop in and say thanks to all for the knoweldge that I have aquired since studying this site. Here are two pic's of my first rod in progress: Final fit before assembly Holo Guides Rod Specs: St. Croix SCIII 6'6" MLF Brown Titanium Matrix Reel Seat AmTackle Holo Guides (New Concept System) Burl Cork Split Grip This rod is being built specifical
Forum: rodboard

Hello all. This is my first post and I want to say thank you to everyone who is kind enough to share their knoweldge. A special thanks to Tom Kirkman for writing and publishing such wonderful information on how to build a custom rod! I am currently working on what will be my first build and am desinging it specifically for smallies. I am building this for myself to suite my style of fishing (
Forum: rodboard