Terry I have used fingernail decals for sports teams on several rods. The only issue with using them is that they should be applied over a white or very light background, as they come printed with a clear background. I have successfully used Steelers and Penn state decals. One of the suppliers was "Etsy" and their decal quality was good, but I'm sure there are lots of sources. Most c
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My source was an outpost fishing lodge in Quebec - stripping the firewood!
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Paul I also only build 3-4 rods a year and am up to around 45 rods or so. Every rod I have built has been built using home made and salvage and scrap materials - from my power lathe to a lot of tools and aids. I will build lots of future rods on the home brew set-up as it works very well for my purposes. Don't overlook something you can make yourself! Rog
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I have also had very good success using multiple coats of TruOil and steel wool buffing between coats. Rog
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Gary I built a metallic lavender C266MF2 and the fisherlady who got it just loves it! Good to hear about the C266LF4, as I am mid-build on a metallic gold C266MF4. Now if I could just find a source for a nice 4 pc. spinning rod travel tube to put it in. Rog
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Bruce I use quick bond on all of my (45?) tops! Easier for me to adjust the alignment after installing. I will worry about taking the tops off when the need comes up ! Rog
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Steven I have had some epoxies turn a deep oxblood red over time. Epoxy is still good to use and the color change isn't noticed much when applying 2 or 3 thin coats. Rog
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I seem to "observe" all of the rods that I have built for friends while they are fighting and landing fish. Not so much when I have a fish on. It's not just you! Rog
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I still choose cork for my personal rods ! Lots of interesting colors and patterns available. Matches up well with birch bark rings for a good looking and good feeling grip! Rog
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I do a rod the same as you do - guides first and butt deco last ! Rog
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Try using a couple of fingernail emory boards for your sanding. They come in different grits and are easy to control where you are sanding.
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Raymond I build mostly 6'6" to 7'0" spinning rods. I use the 27x method most of the time, and my choker guide usually falls between 45" and 47" for the reels that I use. This spacing works very well for me. I usually use 2500 and 3000 size reels and most of my rods start with a #25 or #20 high framed stripping guide. I am completely sold on the 27x guide train system. Rog
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I spray a little bit of pledge furniture polish on a piece of rag and polish thr rod and guides. Rog
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Robert You do not have to use all of the guides that came with the set. Use what you think will make a well thought out guide train and keep the extras for spares. Rog
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Jim Here's the spool sizes of the 2500 / 3000 reels that I have; Diawa Regal 2500xi 47.54 Okuma Avenger AV30 41.60 Shimano Sahara 2500FB 43.04 Bass Pro Shops TPX30 51.88 I pretty much use an average of the above sizes when I don't have the reel available to measure. Most of my 27x guide strings start with a 20 or 25 high frame spin guide. Rog
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gentle heat and a plastic picnic knife ! rog
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The only non-rodbuilding thread found at fabric stores that I use is Sulky metallics and some Sulky polyneon threads. Tons of color choices. Otherwise.....what they said! Rog
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Sam On some of my builds where I needed long white background areas to apply clear decals over I used a ncp / nocp thread and then applied 2 coats of cp over the thread. I also did a little test blank using different regular and ncp / nocp white threads, with and without cp applied (I was building on a gloss black Quickline blank). The best results I got was to use Fuji nocp (A) thread with 2 co
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I apply my 2nd or 3rd coats after 24hrs each and have had no problems at all. I use Threadmaster lite. Rog
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I built a medium spin jig for a good friend of mine, and he says its the absolute perfect rod for jigging Canadian walleyes. (to the point of not using any of his other rods). I have 2 more blanks waiting to go - I better get busy on one for myself!! Rog
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William - your latest issue of Rodmaker Magazine arrived at my house stuffed inside my issue. It will be dropped into the mail in the next day or two! Rog-Altoona PA.
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I was just in their store on 10/30 and again on 11/2 to make some purchases. they are open for business as usual as a walk in customer. Rog
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Matt I often add a third coat of epoxy to my guide wraps, and sometimes a fourth coat to the butt wrap. I am using Threadmaster Lite at the moment,but would do the same with just about any brand and type of epoxy. I never load the wraps with epoxy until it forms a drip that needs wicked off. Rog
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Thanks to all who replied. I found a work-around that gets me into their site. I'm still not sure why the old way doesn't work anymore !! Rog
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Is anyone else having trouble accessing the Mudhole website? I have only been successful one time since Irma blew through. I'm not sure if the problem is on my end, or if Mudhole is off line. Thanks Rog
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I use an old birthday candle rubbed on the mandrel. Works great. Rog
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I put CP over NCP thread all of the time. I use mostly regular nylon thread for may main wraps but sometimes use NCP thread for contrast or trim bands. I apply CP over the entire wrap. I see no darkening of the NCP colors. I am not familiar with the Holland Trimar threads so I cant comment on that particular thread. Rog
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I also use the pilot bits to get my grips to the closest bore diameter to start. Worthwhile tools to invest in! Rog
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Hello Rodbuilders I will be in the Orlando Florida area in October. I would like to know if there are any shops / stores in the area that sell acrylic blanks (pen blanks) that I could use to turn reel seat inserts. I have bought a few from Mudhole in the past, and am aware of the Rockler and Woodcraft locations. Are there any other places to check out? Thanks Rog
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Phil I store my built rods horizontally in my basement with cup hooks on 2 thin strips of wood mounted across the floor joists. The wood strips are spaced about 4' apart. The rods I store are all 6' to 7' long light and medium spinning rods. The rod is hooked on the 1st cup hook right in front of the foregrip. It doesn't get hot in my basement. I have never had a problem with warping rods in
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