Rick, Try either wrapped cork tape or wrapped nylon cord for the butt. I'm just finishing the black version of your blank as a short surf rod. I used black nylon cord for wrapping the butt, and black hypalon for the foregrip. The hypalon isn't much greater in diameter than the blank, so the reaming was a little touchy, but it looks and feels pretty good. With the larger diameter blank, the
Forum: rodboard

Bill, That's enough -- quit beating up on yourself. Remember, it's five o'clock somewhere!
Forum: rodboard

Bill, I'm assuming from the number of posts I see with your name on them that you've been around the rodbuilding arena awhile. How do you suppose newcomers to the game, like myself, feel when they are confronted with the same variety? Add in the variety of blanks, both brands and models, not to mention thread colors, and it's a wonder that all of our minds aren't 100% addled! But I love i
Forum: rodboard

Doug, Elegant rod! White glass or painted graphite blank? Also, do you envision any problems with salt water and the gold guides?
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Gerald, If you're still looking, check out: This might be what you're looking for as a start.
Forum: rodboard

To expand on Joe Hepp's response above, the disorganization in the Pennsylvania Cabela's is in the blank area -- they're just "displayed" in a stand-up segmented case with absolutely no organization, and further, the folks rooting through them had separated butt from tip sections, there were tags missing, etc. However, the remainder of the supplies -- thread, guides, reel seats, etc.
Forum: rodboard

All, I've used Gudebrod color preserver (CP) routinely on the few rods I've built. I thin it a little with alcohol to make it penetrate better, and apply a number of coats, paying special attention to the areas around the guides (usually single foot) and trying to wick the CP into the tunnels adjacent to the guides. However, after applying the epoxy finish, Cabela's foil packs or LS Suprem
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No, actually Pi are round!
Forum: rodboard

Gary, Apologies for hijacking your message, but Putter, I'm wondering why you "do about everything" to get a guide on the ferrule?
Forum: rodboard

Scott, This may be a "minority report," but as has been said before: Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder. Doesn't what's "right" for something decorative, as compared to functional, depend on perception as well as concensus? I think a basic diamond wrap with D looks good on a larger diameter rod, but probably not so good on a smaller one. I like the texture an
Forum: rodboard

Hate to bother folks with this simple question. Thought I remembered seeing something on the board some time ago re: thinning guide-wrap epoxy -- did a search, but couldn't seem to find it. So, can someone give me some quick advice along these lines? Is alcohol acceptable as a thinner for two-part epoxies? Yes? No? How much? Benefits and/or drawbacks? Thanks. Maybe I'll be able to ge
Forum: rodboard