I would have to agree on joining a turners club. If you don't have a club in your area, try to find someone with turning experience to spend an hour or so with you. Safety is such a big concern with using the lathe. Andy Dear's DVD is excellent, but I feel you need some basic lathe experience before you rely on it. I drove 140 miles to another city to take a class in turning bowls. The bas
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I did some surf fishing on Playalinda Beach last February. I had a great time and we arre planning a trip to the same area in early November. I am wondering if the surf fishing is good during that time of year and what other fishing opportunities are available in the area during that time. Thanks, Herb
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I was having this problem, too. What I had to do was go the photo page, click "register" and then just login again. Don't try to register again, as that would not work if your username was already in the system. Again, just login using your username and password. Herb
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I am having the same problem. I tried to register again and got the message that the username was already registered. Herb
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Rich, The U3 hardware requires the mortise. If you look at the end that recesses into the grip, the reel seat foot needs to fit under that part of the hardware as well. Batson BUL5 hardware uses a round insert and does not have a mortise cut. I think i would order the BUL5 hardware and save the U3 for another project. There are ways to cut the mortise without a router and special bit, but
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I was wondering what bits you use to make the mortise on reel seats. I have one of Venneri's modified bits and would like to get another. I am having trouble getting in contact with him. Thanks, Herb
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Amazon has the new Jet indexing lathe for $199.00 and free shipping. Shipment is not for a month or so. It wouldn't surprise me to see some great buys on the old model 1014 in the near future. Herb
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Tom, Generally, the style of hardware determines whether or not you need to mortise the insert. Batson and PacBay U3 hardware use a mortise, while A5 and Batson BUL5 use a round insert. These are some of the most common hardwares for fly rods. Herb
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I am just completing 2 light surf rods for use during a Florida vacation in February. They are 2 piece 8 foot rods. I am debating whether to send them ahead by UPS or USPS , or taking them as part of my luggage on the plane flight from Michigan. Anyone have any advice? Thanks, Herb Knowlton
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All of the wood I use in tuning inserts is either kiln dried, or left to air dry for several months---upwards of a year. I would cut the blanks you are going to turn oversized, Anchorseal all surfaces, then set them out to dry. I am not familiar with Mesquite, but would expect it to require a drying period. Herb
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I will be spending a couple of weeks in Florida this February. I hope to do some surf fishing at the Canaveral National Seashore, also known as Playalinda Beach. I have observed people fishing there in previous trips and it seems that the most common catch is a Whiting---nothing very large. I have not tried that type of fishing before, but am looking forward to spending a few hours a day at th
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I totally agree on the oil-less pancake compressors- They are very loud and will drive you nuts in an enclosed space. I bought a small Makita compressor that has oil and I really like it. Very quiet when compared to the oil-free pancake type. It is used for many tasks in my shop. Herb
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I am building some rods for my grandkids. Initially , I had planned to use all spinning guides. I have decided to outfit the rods with trigger reel seats and spin/cast reels---probably like the Zebco 33 or something similar. Would you stay with the spinniing guides or go to casting guides, and would the spacing and guide placement be affected? I am using Batson blanks----- IS602's a
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Andrew, I usually cut slabs about 1.25" X 4" X 12" or so. I then anchorseal all surfaces, stack with spacers between for 9 months to a year. It's important not to be in a hurry by using the wood before it is ready. Works well for me. Herb
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Anchorseal works very well. Highland Hardware has it and free shipping for the next few days. Herb
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Ken, Your email is hidden. Send me an email and i can give you a source for the fuji seats. Neal's, sponsor on left, has them in clearance at $.99 Herb
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I just posted a picture of a Fuji trigger seat with a custom wood insert. I had asked a question a week or so ago about which seat would be suitable to do this with. Based on the suggestions and help from members of this group, I feel the seat looks great. Take a look-------comments and/or suggestions welcomed. Herb Knowlton
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I tried the Minwax, and it was, in my opinion, less that satisfactory and not cost effective. It is a difficult process to do at home. I would stick with the professionally stabilized woods. WSSI and River Ridge Products are 2 that come to mind. At one time there was talk of River Ridge becoming a sponsor. Herb
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I want to customize a couple of casting trigger reel seats for rods I am building for my granddaughters. I was hoping someone could recommend a seat that I could cut apart and add a wood insert. There seems to be so many types available I thought maybe someone has done the same thing and could save me some time! I see where Black Dog Tackle has a glue on trigger and wonder if that would be
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I have been a diehard fly fisherman for the past 30 years. I have not used a spinning rod in 30 years, but that is about to change. Our family has just purchased a cottage on a Michigan inland lake. The fishing will be for panfish, bass, walleye, and an ocassional pike. I will be spending time with grandkids on a small boat or pontoon. Son and daughters and their spouses will also fish,
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I agree with sheer satisfaction. Being a retiree I also have a lot of spare time for building rods. A perfect day on the stream for me is to catch a Brook, Brown and Rainbow using a rod I have wrapped, grip and reel seat I have turned using wood off my property, along with flies I have tied. For me that is pure joy. I am doing all I can to instill the same feelings in my son, sons-in-law
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I was wondering if any of the North Carolina posters are familiar with the The John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC ? They offer a week long class on lathe turning that looks interesting. My wife could enroll in a cooking class and we were thinking of possibly making a vacation out of this. I would appreciate any info. Thanks, Herb Knowlton
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Has anyone had recent experience with Hook and Hackle? I know they were suffering "moving pains" earlier. Herb
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I think it is appropriate to offer this quote from Richard Raffin, author of "Turning Bowls". He states-----"craftsmanship has as much to do with knowing what to do when things go wrong as getting everything right all the time; that seldom happens". This forum has been a very valuable resource to me and others as we strive to become "craftsman" in the rod building
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I went on @#$%& and bought Plaid #6 shader brushes. They work very well for me and I throw them out after use. Did a google search for "Plaid 42715" and came up with this site. Herb
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Brad, Amazon has the Jet mini lathe on sale for $279 with an additional 10% for the next few days. It also qualifies for free shipping. I think that would be hard to beat. I have been very happy with mine the past couple of years. I'm trying to convince my wife I need another at my summer cabin!. Also has a $25 mail in rebate making the total price$226 Herb
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If you could buy just one chuck for the Jet Mini Lathe which would get? I want to be able to use square stock, round stock and also mandrels down to 1/4". I have a PSI 3-jaw that I sometimes have a hard time getting tight. My son wants to begin turning and I hesitate to have him use that chuck with the jaws that stick out so far. I can just see him getting his knuckles in the way
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I am looking for some specific recommendations on respirators suitable for turning and sanding stabilized reel seat blanks. I have sent an email to WSSI, but have not heard back as yet. I generally use a simple 3M dust / particulate mask when using regular wood, but was wondering what those of you turning stabilized wood use. With the cold month coming I want to be prepared. The odors
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Stan., I tried the method Dave Gilmore gave you the link for. Initially I thought it was going to be OK, but after doing it was figured it was not cost effective and I was never sure just how much "stabilizing" occurred. I did a maple amd a walnut blank and I'm sure they absorbed some of the material. I then ran across the following business----River Ridge Products. w&#
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I am looking into the purchase of a moisture meter for woods harvested off our farm as well as some given to me by friends. I have read where pin type meters don't work well on wood as it is tough to get enough penetration for an accurate reading. I would like to get a moisture meter but am clueless and confused as what type, brand etc to get. I don't want to break the bank, but would like
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