I weighed five of the Minimas and got .5 grams. I'm going to have to stick with .1 gram per. The titanium models would be even lighter.
Forum: rodboard

Don Morse Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Bill.... the 5mm running guides in the ATC > MicroWave set are lighter than the 5mm minima By my weighing I find the standard 5mm Minima to come in at .1 gram, and the 5mm ATC to come in at .23 grams. Is there a lighter ATC 5mm out there now?
Forum: rodboard

All my multi piece rods seem plenty smooth to me. Not sure whey they wouldn't unless you didn't seat the ferrule and the pieces were moving on each other. I think the days of one piece rods being better or stronger or smoother are long over. Most people couldn't tell a four piece fly rod from a one piece if you blindfolded them.
Forum: rodboard

Rodgeeks. Pick out any two piece model they offer and they will paint it for you. Turn it around in less than two weeks. Rodgeeks.
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I wonder how many rod builders have seen their rod building careers go through a series of phases where they learn something and practice it a while and then move on to another aspect. I sense many of us do this while a few might choose to specialize in a single or couple areas and ride those out for their entire rod building careers. Here is where I have been so far- 1. basic rod builds 2. d
Forum: rodboard

Have not used the RX8 so can't comment on that one. But have done a couple of the Quickline #8's and they are fantastic. Beautiful finish and very straight. Nice blanks. Good power for the salt.
Forum: rodboard

Merrick Tackle once had them so Mudhole may have whatever they had left in stock. Call or E-mail and ask them. Overseas the Rodworks lists them. Oh yeah, Johnnys Pond had some from Merrick too so if they are still in business try them.
Forum: rodboard

The original Renzetti lathe, sold under the clemens name originally, was still being made up until last year when Renzetti unveiled their new undercarriage Craftsman model. I did not ask them at the show about it and cannot understand the wording on their website, but wanted to know if that model will still be offered and sold or are all their new lathes the Craftsman undercarriage type? Anybody
Forum: rodboard

That's just it, when you cut the handle short you're not modifying it to fit the fishing technique, like swimbait, crankbait. worm, etc., you are modifying it to you can supposedly not get it hung on your clothes. So all your rods now have to have the same short handle no matter what the actual fishing technique is.
Forum: rodboard

Before I would modify my rod handles and reduce their performance for the type fishing I might be doing, I would either wear different clothing or just move the rod out a couple inches away from like Tom suggested. I can't buy the thing about kayak fishing being confining when sitting. The entire world extends out from the kayak so it's not like the rod is forced back into your belly or anything.
Forum: rodboard

Not sure I understand the argument about short handled kayak rods either. My arms are the same length whether I sit or stand. I build rod handles to fit arm length. The things I hear from most guys who fish out of kakays is that they need leash attachment points and would like some way to retrieve or float a rod if they drop it or loose it during a surf launch. I think Rodmaker has had some ar
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If kayak fishing is only a trend, then there is already a developing trend within a trend going on. At first these were small, lightweight boats meant for ease of use with minimal gear. The newer trend is much larger "kayaks" with every conceivable piece of gadgetry and gear you can think of. I would say it was the Hobie Proangler that started moving guys away from the smaller stuff to
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Can't argue with any of the above, but me it was the new decal making machine. I told the guy if he could go on the web, pick up an image, work out the logo and wording and have a decal made before I got back around the floor I'd buy one. He said don't walk off, he could do it in under three minutes. He was wrong. It took two.
Forum: rodboard

Get four guys at the counter or taxi and say, "we'll give you 100 bucks to take us to Winston Salem" and watch what happens. I agree you need to get this together before you pay at the counter.
Forum: rodboard

Cab fares in NC are negotiable. Make an offer and see what happens.
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Mexico remains part of North America last time I checked.
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St. Croix SCII and SCIII blanks are big time bargains. Made in North America and priced in line with blanks that are far less in quality and performance. They are my "go to" blanks for most bass and light saltwater fishing projects.
Forum: rodboard

I cannot think of anything else that happens all year in the rod building world that even begins to compare to the ICRBE. When you put the world's best seminars and instructors in the same hall with all the best suppliers and manufacturers of rod building goods, with thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of rod blanks, components, tools and the best prices of the year, plus toss in
Forum: rodboard

Just got my new copy of Rodmaker about twenty minutes ago. First thing that hit me was the ad for the new blank company Rodgeeks. They are offering any custom color on any of their blanks in just three days? Am I reading this right? I sent an E-mail but don't expect a reply right away. I guess I can talk to them at the Expo but was wondering if anyone here has already had any dealings with them?
Forum: rodboard

Talk to the guy at Hyrdra Fishing. Last I heard he was having a line of blanks made here in the USA and might be able to interact for you in having some made.
Forum: rodboard

Well, guys still find the Clemens book helpful and it has not been updated in what, about thirty years or something? Boyd's new book is new as of about this time last year so I'd say you will find it helpful. It just covers so much and so many techniques that its like an encyclopedia. Most electronic media stuff I see is just trickle down from the books and mags anyway.
Forum: rodboard

Boyd Pfeiffers' lastest update is an encyclopedia of tackle making knowledge. Everybody should have a copy on their shelf. It's huge and will put you on the path to any sort of tackle making you may wish to do at some point in the future. The rod building portion is excellent and has been expanded again. Tom's book Rod Building Guide is more than just a basic instructional manual. If you reall
Forum: rodboard

By dragon scale I think he means this- Check the 2nd part of the story. You can work on as many axis as you want.
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The old standard Aftco regular #5 with the double roller has always been good for what you're doing. I like the #51 HD better but it will cost you a little bit more.
Forum: rodboard

In the last few years we have reached a sad point where the "keepin' it real" people believe that speaking your mind with no tact or thought and through the use of "in your face" language is somehow a badge of honor. IMO it's a sad commentary on today's civilization. I know guys who may curse like a sailor in private with their friends, but have the decency to clean it up in p
Forum: rodboard

About what? Pro Wrap offers a HUGE color selection. I think Mokai is about similar. Maderia has even more but many say you have to use CP with it due to the silicon lube that's in it. Colors are everywhere. Just look.
Forum: rodboard

I think you can leave it as is but most guys will put a very thin coat of finish on the rod. Urethane, Helmsman spar or Permagloss.
Forum: rodboard

I may have missed it. Were things finalized to have a UPS store or shipper at the Expo for people who fly in and can't get their "loot" home easily on the plane?
Forum: rodboard

If I were going to use a thin varnish type finish I'd use Permagloss because its so much clearer than varnish, won't yellow and is harder and longer lasting. Just my .02 worth.
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Looks like one troublemaker already showed up. What is that Joyce guy's problem? Used to post here too I think.
Forum: rodboard