In tough cases I have wound two colors of thread together to get the variegate combination I need. Works better than you might think!
Forum: rodboard

We were typing at the same time. It really would not matter if the line is coming off the top or bottom of the reel spool. The bottom of the guide ring is going to be higher than either the top or the bottom of the reel spool and so the line should remain on the bottom of the guide ring. At least it does on my rigs.
Forum: rodboard

Looking at the photo, IMO that rod needs at least one more guide. Not sure it would really make any difference in distance but it would control the line better. I would also add one more transition guide and slip the butt guide back just a tad towards the reel.
Forum: rodboard

There won't be any measurable difference in casting distance between a conventional guides on top rod and spiral rod if all else is equal. In the scenario you described originally the difference was basically due to the differences between the two blanks.
Forum: rodboard

Every new rod builder comes into the hobby with their own personal background. And being new to the hobby they find what they think are problem areas which they have the unique ability to solve or improve. Because they are new to the hobby they have no idea that many other people of equal or greater intellect and experience have come before them and been through the same process.
Forum: rodboard

I'm not quite sure Bill's database entails but I see some real possibilities here. If you could arrange all the data, length, weight, action, power etcetera and maybe use some sort of spreadsheet or software that would sift through everything, then find a blank with a specific length, weight, power, action and whatever else could be found at the click of a button. I don't think it would be too ha
Forum: rodboard

If you put the CP on first, it will make it darn near impossible to burnish the threads in such a way that they move around a little. The CP will lock them in place and you need them to move and bend in order for the effect to be created.
Forum: rodboard

I seem to want to ask if maybe someone isn't having a bit of fun at the expense of the board users here?
Forum: rodboard

Alex, NO! Fly rods are designed to cast WEIGHT. And so are casting and spinning rods. All are designed to cast WEIGHT! Whether the weight comes in the form of a line or a lure makes no difference. The rod would have no idea what it's casting, other than that its WEIGHT.
Forum: rodboard

Sometimes I have to select between a couple of blanks I have on hand and find that even shaking by hand I can't really tell much if any difference between them. But the CCS will easily show any difference no matter how small. It is just a matter of a minute or two to select the more powerful one or the one with the faster action. Another thing I do which I have not seen discussed here is findi
Forum: rodboard

Does silk turn transparent when coated with Permagloss the way it does when you coat it with epoxy? Or is this transparency specific to just the combination of silk and epoxy? Thanks.
Forum: rodboard

On the very small micro guides, have users found any problem with durability? Not suggesting there are any issues here but before I take the plunge I would like to know if there is anything to watch out for. Not sure I can put a Forhan wrap on something so tiny! Now on the very, very, very, very teeny tiny ones there appears to be no ring------------- how does line hold up in the frames and do
Forum: rodboard

By all means get either Tom's book or Flex Coat's How We Do It DVD. That way you will have a better idea what is involved and what you actually need. I saw the EcoWrapper at the Expo back in Feb. and was very impressed with it. I think you would like it but the Flex Coat wrapper is no slouch either. It will do the job just fine if you are on a bit of a budget.
Forum: rodboard

B.C.- I read you loud and clear. Creating a genre within a genre can be a smart marketing move, but it can also turn around and make it equally easy to have that genre crucified for unfair reasons. I have seen it happen with other products. I hope it will not happen with this one.
Forum: rodboard

I think Johnny's is a goner. Donart should be able to get them for you.
Forum: rodboard

Lost the link for the electric decals. Wanted to look at something. Can anyone provide the link?
Forum: rodboard

Jamestown.
Forum: rodboard

Outside of the big Expo event, are there any other regional get togethers planned for NC anytime soon?
Forum: rodboard

"I better shut-up or I am going to get banned from this board!" No chance. Great discussion and nobody got insulted or flamed. Nobody mentioned anonymous Emails or spouted any hatefulness. This is a wonderful forum and resource for the world's custom rod builders. As you travel around you are going to appreciate this place more and more.
Forum: rodboard

I have used Permagloss as a first penetrating coat and then overcoat with any of the regular epoxies. I have had excellent results doing this so far.
Forum: rodboard

In the original Fuji conception of the concept, the spool upsweep angle was used to locate the choke guide. It worked but I did not like it because even with the same size reel you could wind up with several locations for the choke guide just due to the upsweep being different different. Add to that the fact that the low upsweep on some reels would sometimes put the choke guide off the tip of the
Forum: rodboard

If it does not have the factory St. Croix sticker securely stuck to the butt then it is probably not an actual St. Croix blank. Who knows what you may have bought. No @#$%& site blanks for me, no thanks.
Forum: rodboard

It's not hard at all hard to do. And easy to get nice effects even with just simple rings.
Forum: rodboard

St. Croix in the SCIII or SCIV. I like 6' to 6'6" and model 3S or 4S in 66MLF. Light tip power, super fast action. Good butt power. You'll love it.
Forum: rodboard

I think Rodmakers Magazine had a full story on how to do this awhile back. You might already have it. I cut mine with a piece of heavy rod winding thread while the grip is spinning in the lathe. Cuts like butter and you get a nice, straight cut. I would turn it round first though. Weldwood Contact Cement, the yellow snot like stuff, is the best adhesive for gluing the pieces together. Good
Forum: rodboard

The blanks which Russ, Chuck and Tom have mentioned were advertised as "normally selling for between $85 and $125" which inferred that they were first quality blanks on sale. But they weren't firsts, or seconds, or even thirds. Calls to Shikari confirmed what they really were which I think Tom mentioned above. This is why I like dealing with the sponsors on this board. Tom does a pre
Forum: rodboard

I really do find this interesting. How would you explain that the line flow that looks the smoothest and quietest isn't the same one that provides the greatest distance.
Forum: rodboard

Spent a nice clear windless day actually doing some manual test casting. It is amazing what you can learn if you are willing to put in some time taping up different sets of guides and just going out and trying them repeatedly and recording your results. Not as accurate as a mechanical device for sure, but if you make enough casts and average the results you do get a good idea of what works best.
Forum: rodboard

Batson has a W-I-D-E assortment surf rod offerings. Have a look at his website and search to your heart's content! I would recommend a fast action blank if you are going to throw plugs.
Forum: rodboard

Understood. I haven't tried any uploads so I didn't know.
Forum: rodboard