Can someone give me the snake guide sizes for a 9"6 fly rod. I plan on using 12mm and 10mm stripping guides but want to know what size snake guides I should use. Thanks Bill
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What I did was get a cheap drill and put electrical tape around the molded collar which fit snuggly and works like a charm. Bill
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What is the advantage of a power wrapper over a hand wrapper for building and wrapping a fly rod? Just wondering if I should a power wrapper or is my hand wrapper just fine for building an occasional fly rod now and then. Thank Bill
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Well, fortunately for me Thomas & Thomas still offers blanks. They are from MA where I live and are a small company. I like to support the small guy. I bought a two handed rod from them and their workmanship is the finest in the industry. Bill
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Is it me or are there fewer blanks available for the rod builder? I went to my source where I get my blanks and there are not many choices for the rod builder. I'm talking the Sages and the major rod makers. Perhaps they want to make more profit by not offering blanks so you'll have to buy the complete rod. Bill
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I use Flex coat and a trick that I have learned is to heat it before you apply the finish to the rod. Works like a charm. I put the Flex coat bottles in a container with hot water to heat them. Bill
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As a fly fisherman and rod builder I like T&T rods along with Sage . I also own a couple of Winston. I now own a Temple Fork rod and while cheaper than the other rods it's a dream to cast. If we're talking production rods T&T has the best fit and finish on the market. The reason I build my rods is to save a little money .LOL!!!! But I take pride in something that I made. Sort of why I
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Thanks Wayne. I might uses these brackets on my Grizzly Hobby lathe. Bill
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Can someone give me the dimensions for the lower clamp on the adjustable rod support clamp that is used on the Pac Bay /American Tackle wrappers? It looks like form the photo that the lower clamp is removable. Thanks Bill
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Has anyone tried out the new UV light cured epoxies as a finish? These new epoxies are making tying epoxy flies a cinch. Bill
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Thanks for the info . I am only going to do cork grips. Bill
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I pulled the trigger and got the Grizzly Hobby Lathe, thanks guys for your input. So, now where do you get quality cork rings at a good price? Bill
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Is anyone using this hobby lathe to turn cork grips on? It's similar to the Flexcoat cork lathe which uses an electric drill as the power source. Thanks in advance Bill
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Ok, so who make good quality pre formed cork grips.? I'm still mulling over weather to get a Hobby lathe , full metal mini lathe or wood lathe with accessories. It's the cost of the full mini lathes that's getting to me. For 400 you can buy a lot of pre formed grips. However, I still like the idea of making my own grip. Thanks Bill
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I would like to turn my own grips but the price of a mini lathe or a Pac Bay wrapper set up for turning would buy a lot of pre shaped grips. So, that my dilemma what to do? Most of the pre formed grips that I have bought have not been of the best quality. I spent around $30 for the fly rod grips. I don't make that many rods but it would be fun to make a rod with grips that I have turned myself.
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What do you guys use to get saltwater corrosion off your spinning guides? Thanks Bill
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I'm trying to decide weather to buy a power wrapper of a wood lathe to turn cork grips. Those of you who have used a power wrapper have you had any problems turning the grips with a wrapper? I'm leaning towards the power wrapper because it lighter in weight and can also be used as a wrapper. Thanks in . Bill
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The rod business is very difficult to be in. You sell a guy a 9wt rod and you don't hear from him until the rod breaks. That's why Sage , for example, comes out with the greatest rod they have ever built every year. Along comes TFO who see a market for a quality inexpensive rod and it turns the market upside down. Their sales go through the roof which forces the high end rod makers to compete wi
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Check out this comparison page it will give you a list of small metal lathe choices. Bill
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Here what I do. I use a BBQ lighter and keep it moving while heating the tip. Pretty soon the bond will soften. I then use a small pliers to remove the tip. Disclaimer I'm not using Thornda as a bonding agent for the tip top. This method will work as long as you keep the flame moving quickly. Bill
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I would call Trevor at T&T and he'll give you input on the guides, he's very helpful. Bill
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What's your setup when turning and sanding cork grips to control the dust? Thanks Bill
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By good I mean the ones that come from China not the so called "good ones found in most machine shops that cost thousands of dollars. Thanks for your imput . Bill
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I've decided to get a metal mini lathe instead of a wood lathe and wondered what's a good brand ? In my opinion you have greater flexibility with a metal lathe than a wood lathe hence the decision to get one. Perhaps, I'm a little swayed by the fact that I used to run CNC lathes and Millers at one time in my various careers. Bill
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Well here we go again , Sage has the latest and greatest saltwater rod coming out in the Fall the Xi3 I wonder if they'll offer blanks? Also, I would like to build one of their bass rods but these are not offered in a blank as of this posting. Bill
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I've been doing a little research on inexpensive lathes and wondered if they would be ok for turning cork grips. I'm talking about the lathes that are around 175. Maybe single speed. Or is it smarter to get a good one like a Jet? Bill
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Is there any advantage to a metal lathe vs. a Wood turning lathe for turning cork grips? Bill
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It's very simple, no blanks you have to buy the rod which =more profit for Loomis. The market drives the industry. Bill
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Check out our sponsor REC and take a look at the Recoil guides . The one you showed a photo of is not a Recoil guide. I have Recoil snake guides on my rods and have had no problems with grooving. Bill
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While checking my rods before the season I noticed that my Winston rod has small nicks on the surface of the rod. I'm wondering if I could buff these out. I'm thinking of using a automotive polish to get out some of the nicks. Bill
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