Cason, clear both the water based and regular. Two coats on regular A nylon.
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Chuck a piece of broken rod in the wrapper, put an empty Gudebrod size A spool on the rod piece, the Maderia in the carriage and let the wrapper wind the thread on the empty spool. Did some myself last week.
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Yes, I use Pilot extra fine point Gold or Silver Marking pens. The first ting I do with plain decal paper is spray a thin coat of Testor's Dull Cote, helps keep the decal from falling apart.. Once dry, write on the paper, give it 24 hrs to dry and give it another light coat of Dull Cote. Then use normal procedures for apply the decal, no reason for an over coat of Krylon. The Dull Cote is muc
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I have found that Tru-oil does repel dirt and grime, does not slip, keeps the filled pits from falling out. I have only had to touch up my handles after about five fishing seasons, My 7 year old rod's handles still look as good as new.
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Look at the CUI S50ULA set up, you can find them at Bingham Enterprises, it includes handle and reel seat assembly already built. I just built two matching rods for 20 month old nephews that my customer wanted, We used Minima guides, less than $45 for material. They came out so good that my customer says he will probably use one first..
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I like it! My issues are not just a collection but now are heirlooms to be passed down to the next generation of family rod builders. Tom, thanks for the extra effort.
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I did get to see the rod that Billy mentioned back in the 90's when the Rod Crafters came to Manchester, CT. It was amazing to see and the description that Chris gave on its use was fascinating.
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Try this link, looks like a catalog listing of older Croix rods and blanks, the GI76HF is listed under SCII GRAPHITE INSHORE SALTWATER ROD BLANKS (MATTE GREEN FINISH)
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Forget the mixing cups, go with a reusable shot glass for thread epoxy mixing and doubled over pieces of aluminum foil for epoxy glue mixing with popsicle sticks or inexpensive flat spatulas.. You can also make small foil dishes out of the aluminum to pour the thread finish into. A Mickey D straw for blowing on thread finish to get rid of bubbles. Old pen bodies or small crochet needles make dec
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Gentle sanding, I've done it a couple of times with no adverse effects. Put masking tape over the reel seat ends,butt cap and in front of the fore grip.
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I'll ditto Garry's recommendations due to arthritic issues, Did 50+ rods by hand until the thumbs could no longer take it, Switched to the PacBay wrapper and then upgraded to the ALPS chuck. The machine will last longer then you will build rods, you'll be able to hand it down to the next generation. If you have any hint of repetitive motion issues, go with the power wrapper.
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U-40 makes a special brush cleaner that works on Permagloss.
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Cut off the last ring or two of the handle with the swell, slide the ring off, turn it around and then replace the last two rings with new ones, should be able to shape a swell with a power drill and sand paper, get the shape close, re-glue and finish sanding to smooth in with the rest of the handle. IMHO, minimum woodworking skills needed.
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I've got a couple of custom builds out in the "testing" stage (one into its second season) right now where I went overboard with both 4 coats of Tru-oli PLUS two coats of thread epoxy, the first with glitter to match the epoxy on the wraps and a top coat. So far the testers have had no problems or complaints. Water beads off nicely and I have not found grips that are coated to be slip
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I;ll also add my kudos to DC, They still had my personal information from my last order a few years back and filled the new order promptly with a newer and much better decal than the previous. Class act all around.
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Become the go to guy on your local fishing web site for rod questions and information, not just for custom rods, but in assisting site members in what to look for in factory rods so they can make informed decisions. Not all fishing requirements need a custom rod and if you can help site members they will come back to you for repairs and eventually custom rods.
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You should get many opinions on thinning epoxy and adding acetone may indeed help to penetrate the threads but the epoxy used for thread protection has very little if any real bonding characteristics whether to the rod blank and even to the threads. I have repaired rods where you can peal the epoxy right off the threads. It's major purpose is thread protection and minor in guide stabilization.
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I'm assuming you received straight ferrules? Are the ferrules on the rod step downs? Step downs are very difficult to find, even used ones may be pricey. The straight will still work OK.
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What make and model are the guides on the rod?
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Thank you Tom.
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Will U-40 Rod Bond work sufficiently as a bonding agent for an attachment of a metal ferrule to bamboo rod? Thank you.
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The blank doesn't care what you make it into, if the line/lure/action/power ratings meet your needs, then build away. Two of my personal favorite casting rods where built on blanks listed by the manufacturer as spinning blanks.
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Are you saying that you will cut off 10" of the blank from the butt end thus making the rod 5'8" long? If so, that alone makes the rod "slower" as the bending of the rod will move further down until it "locks up" or really doesn't bend more. Nine guides would seem excessive and I would think the shortened rod would lose a lot of the power needed to fight fish in th
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Do a search on "spatula"
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A few years ago I broke on own personal custom rod a little above the the stripper guide on a hook set for a 1 1/4 largemouth bass, I probably nicked the rod some how in the boat. I did the inner/outer sleeve repair and I still use the rod on every fishing trip. Do it right and you shouldn't have any problems.
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Have used both U-40 and Tru-oil, prefer Tru-oil, 4 -5 coats, gloss finish, used my rods for five years before the handles needed a little touch up and no filled pits had fallen out. It will darken the cork but it sort of gives the grips a classic wooden look.
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St. Croix makes AVID blanks in fuscia, could pass for pink easily with trim wraps.
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What type of decal? Waterslide or self adhesive? I use a decal setting solution when applying water slide and make sure the edges of self adhesive are burnish down and never have had to use CP on decals when covering with 2 part thread finish.
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Prep the rod tip by roughing it up with a Scrotch Brite pad.
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Dan, what type of ferrule are you replacing? Straight or step down. Thanks.
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