Angler's Roost has a pretty good rep from the people I know that have used them. Beautiful finish job on their bamboo and an unbelievable price for quality cane blanks. They are also a sponsor here.
Forum: rodboard

Are we talking about DiamondITE or Diamond II? I do not believe these are the same product.
Forum: rodboard

Phenix, maybe this year?
Forum: rodboard

A rod that long and that stout will be a bear for the fisherman to fight a fish with. Have you discussed these ramifications with your customer? I bet this is why none that stout are offered in such a long length.
Forum: rodboard

I use it when I want to build something a little different than a known rod I have now. I take those numbers and compare. Like Bill I move up or down the scale from there to get what I want. I usually end up very close on the first go around.
Forum: rodboard

It was my understanding that they have gone under. I do not want to speak out of turn if they are still up and running. Mud Hole still lists the product in their catalog. Maybe you should give them a call.
Forum: rodboard

Yes it can be done but as mentioned you have that 15 degree offset to content with. Unless you can bore your new cork offset or mount it so you can turn it offset, you are in for a tough time.
Forum: rodboard

Problems are either universal which represents a problem with a system, or they are unique to some users only which represents a problem with how those users are going about things. Since hundreds or even thousands of people are using the CCS without having the problems listed here, I have to assume these are user oriented problems and not problems with the system itself. Others have replied to D
Forum: rodboard

It might be a long explanation that would be very time consuming to type out.
Forum: rodboard

Tom K's set up will get you a straighter line path and reduced weight. He is correct, you only need two or three sizes at the very most. Your line will easily pass through #1 snakes. A good loop to loop will too.
Forum: rodboard

I see, thanks. Indeed very reasonable.
Forum: rodboard

Good idea on the shoulder. Has been a pain wrapping tape around the mandrel to act as a stop. Stop collars are expensive and mar the mandrel with the set screw. Shouldering is a clever answer. Some additional machine work. Cost?
Forum: rodboard

It must be great to be able to "cast halfway across the bay." But, uh, how wide is that bay?
Forum: rodboard

There is very little friction between the line and the guide rings on the cast. Using TiC guides will not add 10 to 20 feet to your cast. Only way to do that is to greatly reduce guide weight which does have a huge effect on casting distance or take a casting lesson. Any guide maker than can come up with a guide that will add 10 to 20 to your cast over another type guide will own the market.
Forum: rodboard

The 27X method replaces the arbitrary and sometimes unworkable use of the reel spool upsweep for choke guide placement. On the original system per Fuji the location was determined by the spool upsweep which is not consistent from reel to reel or maker to maker. Some reels have tremendous upsweep and some have next to none. Sometimes you would end up with a choke guide that would fall off the end
Forum: rodboard

I cannot believe that anyone really believes that the Loomis blanks they have or buy now are going to be warranted by identical blank replacement in the future. Wake up people. The reason that Loomis is getting out of the blank business is so that they will not have to stop rod production to run blanks for the custom builder. Do you really think they are going to halt rod production while the
Forum: rodboard

Any of those would be better than using an old dog bed for a background.
Forum: rodboard

So it is the same lathe, then? In which case it comes down to money and shipping costs and any specials being offered. Or the photo may be pirated.
Forum: rodboard

It is the same size and shape and color as the Penn State mini lathe. Not that it has to be the exact same thing as that one based on looks alone, but it at least looks similar. It could be made by the same company that makes the one for Penn State. And Mud Hole is a sponsor so if the unit is decent it merits shopping with them.
Forum: rodboard

My hat is off to many of you and the beautiful work you do is obvious by the photos on this site's photo page. But.... for the lack of suitable backdrops many of those beautiful rods are presented in very poor fashion. It detracts from the rod to see it photographed on a car seat, dog bed, grandma's coat or a discolored picnic table top. My suggestion is to go to your local craft store and spe
Forum: rodboard

The ad in RM lists the Minima 4 as having the "double swaged" ring. I wonder if anyone has had any trouble with rings coming out of the single swaged Minima 3 guides?
Forum: rodboard

The Common Cents System applies to ALL rods. It is just as relative on spey and two-handed rods as any other rods. The only thing you may find, is that if you are going to use the ERN to get a recommended line the standard suggestion of ERN = ELN will not work as well. That is fine for regular single handed rods at thirty feet but on spey rods you will have to alter the equation a bit to get
Forum: rodboard

The problem is that few bass fishermen will ever accept the fact that it is their harsh treatment and poor fish fighting technique that causes their rods to fail. They will always blame it on the rod. "I just set the hook on a dink bass and the rod snapped like a twig!"
Forum: rodboard

Fish Eagle II blanks are a great value for the $$ paid.
Forum: rodboard

I do not think any of that was a stab at you Steve. I think the topic thread you refer to was indicative of what so many rod builders go through. They hear or see something and either because they do not understand that the technique came from Rodmaker or because they do not want to spend a few bucks they wander around these various rod building boards and ask questions hoping to learn how to do
Forum: rodboard

My guess is the Pac Bay Minima casting guides.
Forum: rodboard

Without breaking or bending any of the excellent rules that has made this forum so popular, I would suggest that anyone interested do a search under John's name. In the short time he has been active here nearly every single post he has made has been critical of a product or person. It is fine to be that way but readers should consider the source and the standard content of such posts. Let us see.
Forum: rodboard

Never heard of it. Where do you find it and why would it be better than the new electric decal papers. Just curious? Different part of the world maybe?
Forum: rodboard

A light sanding of the grip will remove all you have done so far and let you start over.
Forum: rodboard

Often once a person really makes up their mind about something, nothing will sway them, not even the facts or the the truth.
Forum: rodboard