Hi Roger, Sorry to hear this. Well, what happened to us in the North East when Merrick Tackle closed has now happened on the West Coast. Another big loss for rod builders. Look around and you will find new suppliers. Unfortunately they do not have everything that Merrick and Anglers Workshop stocked. I am very happy and satisfied with my new supplier, excellent service.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, Here are a few that you can order from. Batson, CTS, Hydra, RodGeeks and I am sure there are others.
Forum: rodboard

Man, you guys are fortunate.
Forum: rodboard

UGH!!! Yesterday and today while doing a wrap the despicable thread knot reared it's ugly self. Wasted time and wasted thread. I find it hard to believe that as rod builders we can not buy thread that guarantees a knot joining two pieces of thread does not exist in the spool! Every brand of thread I have used over the years had this problem.These knots might be okay for clothing manufacture
Forum: rodboard

Years ago I bought out a well know rod builders inventory s he retired. Holland thread came with it. Special colors were used by weavers doing tuna weaves. I shipped those colors all over the place. This was before Madera thread started to be used in rod building. I am sure builders are still looking for certain colors of Holland hread. Let the word get out.
Forum: rodboard

Good morning, This is an interesting topic. After many years of being a rod builder considerable inventory and stuff has been collected. Now we reach an age where it might be time to down size or even stop rod building. So, what to do with all this inventory and stuff? The fine issues of RodMaker fit into this category. I have all the issues except 1-1 and 1-2 in fine condition. The que
Forum: rodboard

Hi, I would call Aftco. I have always found them to be very helpful.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, This is why I use metallic thread. The only metallic thread color that I can not use over a dark color is pearl. Works for me for many years. Now that being said, metallic thread can take a bit of getting use to. It is springy especially after you cut it at the end of a wrap, at the spool end. It also can be damaged while burnishing if burnished too hard as the color can be rubbed off
Forum: rodboard

Hi, Patience! It takes time for a new company to design and produce all the products that will eventually be needed. I am sure that they are designing blanks that we will find out about when they are ready. When that happens you will be glad you wited.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, Rod Geeks produces great blanks. I have about 20 models in the shop presently. The quality is excellent and they delivered in 2 weeks as they stated. The finish and colors are beautiful. My friend is building on them with success. As soon as I get all the fluke orders filled I will have time to build demo rods on the RodGeek blanks. Am looking forward to fishing them.
Forum: rodboard

Hi guys, With only 1 KR Concept under my belt I realize I still have a lot to learn before I reach my comfort zone. The blank is an ES 662, 6 1/2', 1/8-3/8 ounce lure and a small light weight reel. Sorry I don't remember the model. TKLTG16H (striper guide) is 19" in front of the end of the spool shaft. TBKTG5 (choke guide) is 21" beyond the striper. TKLTG8H and TKLTG5.5M are
Forum: rodboard

Hi Mike, Give Jim Ising a call at Anglers Resource. I had some problems doing my first KR Concept build. He was very patient, understanding, most knowledgeable and helpful. Due to his expertise and help my customer is thrilled with how his new rod casts. The design of this new rod allowed the finished rod to weigh in at 3.2 ounces.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, Visited a major blank factory several years ago. They used a 2 part epoxy finish just like we do and used a squeegee system to apply it.
Forum: rodboard

Hi Folks, If I had this catalog a couple weeks ago it would have saved me a ton of time. A pictorial break down with part #s. Call Anglers Resource at 1-251-943-4491 and ask for this brochure and their catalog.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, I needed some help from the folks at Pac Bay for a new teenage rod builder. As always they were most helpful and went way beyond in helping us solve a problem. Thank you very much.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, A good question. Yes, the epoxy smell does permeate the home. I work in my family room and wish I had a good ventilation system especially in the winter months. During the summer I can open windows. I took this route and purchased an AUSTIN HEALTHMATE filtering system. This unit filters out chemical odors. It is not inexpensive but does what I need. The filter lasts about 5 years
Forum: rodboard

Hi Herb, Great emailing with you last evening. A very small world. Take care.
Forum: rodboard

Herb, I have let my patience prevail up till now. Enough is enough! I have many excellent options to chose from. If my order ever arrives it will be the last.
Forum: rodboard

Good thread. Yes, sometimes I need music to get me started on any given day. In my case it is 50's rock and roll/pop, 40's to 70's country or waltz music by the Masters.
Forum: rodboard

Sorry folks I should have been clearer. I use Rod Bond a two part semi paste epoxy for gluing up butt components to the blank. Part A is the Resin and is white in color.. If it is stored in a location that is too cold for too long the Resin will get too hard to remove from the container. Therefore I nuke the Part A until it softens. I find this method faster the the other methods. I
Forum: rodboard

Hi, I use the micro wave to soften Part A finish and epoxy.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, Try contacting Versitex. They advertise here.
Forum: rodboard

15 years or so ago I used their RodSmith for 5 years. It worked! I built many rods using it. Wrap by day and dry finish at night. Eventually I needed a stronger machine. For the price it is an excellent tool especially with the improvements. Many tackle shops use them. Go for it!
Forum: rodboard

Hi, Batson blanks. They sell basic blanks for a reasonable price that make very good catching tools. As you move up into their product line the blanks just get better and better. Many of my customers are catching on Batson blanks. You will not be disappointed. Any questions then call Adam and Kary for spot on answers.
Forum: rodboard

Hi Andrew, I wish I could remember his name. Unfortunately my memory is getting worse. This was quite a few years ago. We talked on the phone after emailing and he offered to send me a tape of his wrapping style so this had to be before dvds. I do remember him telling me his friend and neighbor was the owner of Flex Coat and he used Flex Coat finish. I do believe that he has passed over.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, I have found the epoxy finishes that set up very quick, a very hot chemical reaction, are very hard and will crack sooner. The newer epoxy finishes that I tried, chose and still use the same one, take longer to surface dry and cure underneath. I believe they stay more flexible over the wrap and take a long time before they crack. Do you folks have the cracking problem when using the tit
Forum: rodboard

Hi, Cracking at the ends of the guide feet. Ahhh! An age old problem. Quite a few years ago I emailed with a rod builder who was a personal friend and I think a neighbor of the Flex Coat owner. I wish I could remember the man's name. He explained that he started each wrap using only two turns of thread before it went up the guide foot. He even sent me a video. He claimed he NEVER had th
Forum: rodboard

Hi, I have been building on Seeker blanks for many years for my customers. Very happy customers. When the Hercules came out they shifted their allegiance to them. Most of them chose the Hercules Inshore Series and love them. These blanks are used to catch everything and anything that swims around Long Island, NY. A couple of my customers have accidentally hooked and successfully boated 125
Forum: rodboard

Hi, Lamiglas CGBT 841 MH. Grouper guys have been using this blank years down south for big grouper.
Forum: rodboard

Thank you for the replies. I did go on the Minn. Vikings web site and used their contact feature. That was almost two weeks go. I did NOT receive a reply from them.
Forum: rodboard