Very simple by not offering blanks those that want a Loomis will have to pay full retail for their rods. Bill Giokas
Forum: rodboard

Get yourself a Pac Bay Mixer it will mix the epoxy and remove 90% of the bubbles in the epoxy. Bill
Forum: rodboard

I want to start turning my own grips , however I don't build that many rods. So I'm leaning toward a Power Wrapper to do this rather than a small metal lathe. I've gotten by all these years with a hand wrapper so I'm wondering if the lathe might be better for what I want to do. Thanks Bill
Forum: rodboard

I read on another site that there are some issues with the Aluminum Chuck on the Pac Bay Rod wrapper. It seems that the rod blank unscrews itself. The correction is to make sure that everything is level. Anyone having this problem? Bill
Forum: rodboard

Get your self the Pac Bay Mixer and your mixing troubles are over. A wonderful investment. Bill
Forum: rodboard

Don't try sanding the whole blank or you could ruin it. I have a scratch on me T&T rod and the factory told me to cover the scratch with Flexcoat. However, in your case it sounds like multiple scratches. You'll just have to learn to live with it. Perhaps you could send ti back to Baston and for a small fee they could refinish the blank for you. Bill
Forum: rodboard

I have about a one inch scratch on my rod and wondered if I should cover it with Flexcoat . Any suggestions? It looks like the paint on the blank is flaking off. Bill
Forum: rodboard

A TFO rep told me that 90 % of rod breakage is due to loose ferrules. This being said why do some of the heavy weight have an extra fore grip above the normal grip to help with landing a heavy fish? I tend to think that it just might have been a loose ferrule rather that reaching up the blank. Bill Giokas
Forum: rodboard

Invest in the Pac Bay mixer. It will solve your mixing problems. Warming the epoxy and correct measurements are the key to success. I used to hand mix until I got the mixer. The mixer is a wonderful tool. Bill
Forum: rodboard

I have a couple of surface dings on my new T&T two handed rod and wondered if I should coat the dings with Flexcoat or just leave them alone? In the Winter I could send the rod back and have them do it? Bill
Forum: rodboard

I used Pac Bay thread . I did not see the small fuzzes after I wrapped the rod. I'll try the flame method next time. Bill.
Forum: rodboard

Well I now have a bunch of tiny Fuzzies after the first coat and wonder how most of you deal with this? Oo you lightly sand them off or simply cut them with a sharp razor. Bill Giokas
Forum: rodboard

Get your self one ot these babies. What a difference it makes on mixing Flexcoat. Glass clear and no bubbles to worry about. What a wonderful product. Bill
Forum: rodboard

Can the chuck on the wrapper hold individual sections of a rod ? I always see it with the handle in the promo photos. I would assume that it would close way down. Also, do you think it's worth getting if I only do maybe one rod every two years? I guess I'm like most fishermen I love expensive gadgets that I don't really need. Or am I better off with a small metal or wood lathe which I can turn
Forum: rodboard

Just got a preform grip and noticed that the voids in the cork where fill in. I just wonder how long the filler will last? Anyone have trouble with cork filler material loosening and falling out? Bill
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So, I'm a little confused . I thought that SIC stripping guides were the best guides out there for use on a flyrod. Now I see were TiCh are claimed to be the best. So, is this accurate or just a marketing ploy? Bill
Forum: rodboard

Anyone try the new Pac Bay Mixer? Is it worth getting?
Forum: rodboard

what do most of you use for the foregrip length on a Spey rod? Also, what is the dimension of the rear grip. Thanks Bill
Forum: rodboard

Do you think the recoil guides will effect the action of a two handed rod? I'm going to build at T&T 130804 and wondered if this would adversely effect the action of the rod? I know Loomis uses them so it could be ok but they must have factored that in when designing their two handed rods. Bill
Forum: rodboard

I have built two rods now with the flexible Recoil snake guides and like them very much. However, here is my concern. I plan on building a two handed rod and was told by the manufacturer that the flexible snake guides might effect the action of the rod. What do you guys think? I sure that it will but it may be a positive thing. Thanks Bill
Forum: rodboard

Has anyone taken a tour to a major rod factory such as T&T etc? Just wondering how the commercial factories apply their finish . I've seen catalogs with people using a brush to apply the finish. I'll bet it's a group of ladies doing the finish work and they've probably have been doing it for 20 years or so. Bill
Forum: rodboard

I use a brush and have limited experience with the spatula. I've notice in several catalog by top rod co that they always show people using a brush to apply the finish. Bill 'Giokas
Forum: rodboard

I use the Flexcoat foam arbors to attach my reel seat to the blank. Forget the Dry wall tape much easier. Bill
Forum: rodboard

I'm going with a T&T two hander blank. For my purpose which is to fish the surf of Cape Cod. You might want to check out . There is a lot of info on Spey rods on this site. Bill
Forum: rodboard

With all the problems with Gudebrod Dark Green is there another brand of thread which is a better product? Thanks ,Bill
Forum: rodboard

Yes it 's Gudebrod A Dark Green thread that I am using. So, it's just what I thought , the thread is the problem . I know that Winston uses this brand and has it custom dyed for them in bulk. Any suggestions for another brand of thread? Bill
Forum: rodboard

Anyone have a cure for the fuzzes caused by thread fraying? I think it has to do with the fact that the thread is several strands and is easily frayed. Bill
Forum: rodboard

I have tried free hand style of getting an even trim of Flexcoat around my thread wraps but it's very difficult to do . I was thinking of taping the edges and wondered if the Flexcoat would create and even seal and not let the water under the wraps. I would put the masking tape a little bit off the edge of the wrap and just paint on the Flexcoat. . Has anyone tried this or is there a better way t
Forum: rodboard

I use Recoil snake guides on my saltwater fly rods and they have not groove yet. I find that the Recoils flex with the rod much better than the traditional guides. Bill
Forum: rodboard

I normally use Flexcaot Lite but by mistake got the Regular instead. Before I return it can I get the same results with the regular vs the Lite?The way I thin my Flexcost Lite is by heating it. So, I guess the question is by heating the Regular will it give me the same results the Lite. Thanks for your input. Bill Giokas
Forum: rodboard