Marbled colors stay more swirled and crisp if the finish is thicker. If you want a clouded look, a little heat after marbling will cause colors to expand from clean lines, and "cloud". Go slow, stop with the heat before it's all the way clouded, as it may keep dispersing for a while. You can always go back and heat more.
Forum: rodboard

If I have a decal that does not lay on just right, best solution I have found is to wrap over it with thread and good tension. That generally squeezes it on good.
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Surgeon's is nice and simple, but when I tie light Fireline to light fluoro, the braid seems to cut the leader material. Back to back uni-knot works really well for me. If you know how to get the surgeon's to work with light braid and leaders let me know please, as it's easier and quicker.
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I usually install from the threaded end, and done properly can do it with little to no clean-up needed using Flex Coat glue, but at times a little clean-up is needed. Thanks for the input all.
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When gluing arbors in to a spinning seat, do you like to install them from the end with the fixed hood, or from the end with the threads - and why?
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Thanks Karen! I didn't see it on their site. Black with silver for sure, and I'll have to look at the other colors.
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Any suppliers currently make metallic twist thread?
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I have cast these a little, but not fished them much. What do you guys think of the Microwaves in actual fishing conditions? They seem to cast good, but time on the water is the real test. Going to build one this week and hope to fish this weekend. Light to medium freshwater type rods.
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Please delete post
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Thanks all! I'll check them both out, and probably the AirWaves when they are in.
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Any recommendations on either ring type for ultra-light to medium-heavy freshwater use?
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The Quickline blanks are really nice - very light. I have built on the 844 popping and it is a really light rod, and still has good power. You could purchase one of the longer spin jigs and trim it down as well.
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The Quicklines are nice - and the 7'6" has a lot of backbone, could be trimmed to 7'0" or even less and still fish nice.
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What is brayer roller?
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Any tips on putting it right on the blank Tom? Just rub on with burnishing tool? I don't get perfect adhesion doing that usually, and end up wrapping thread over it to squeeze it on.
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For guys using these - do you apply the decal right to the blank, or lay down a coat of finish first?
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Thanks All! I think I have had too tight of a fit between grip and blank, and pushed the glue ahead of the grip. The fore grip has composite cork on both ends of it, and if too tight I think may really push the glue forward and not let it get under the cork.
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On small diameter blanks - ultra lite spinning - using a full rear grip, reel seat, and fore grip - I can sometimes feel the fore grip move some when tightening a reel on the reel seat. If I twist it with a little force I can actually break it free of the blank. Any tips on assuring a stronger bond on these smaller rods? The reel seat and rear grip are rock solid, just the shorter fore grip
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Not that one specifically - but in general the RF2 blanks are pretty nice and often overlooked - same with the T2's.
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Most of the pressure musky fishing is from the baits - up to 12 oz. is fairly common. I think they'll swing that. Most of the fish are not huge like saltwater fish. More thinking on the hours of casting with the heavy braid and ring wear could be an issue.
Forum: rodboard

Anyone running Minima's with heavy braid use. Looking at musky rods on my end, lot's of casting with 65# and 80# braid. Would still run a flanged ceramic or solid carbide tip top. Anyone have rods in the field under this type of use?
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The IMMWS62L - build it and enjoy!
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If you are looking for great pricing and service call Karen at Bingham. Problem solved.
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So from what I understand, modulus is simply a way of looking at a materials resistance to elastic deformation - resistance to bending or flexing. To simplify things, can we say that higher modulus materials have a higher stiffness to weight ratio? In looking at it this way, I'd say cork is a fairly high modulus handle material compared to EVA, and Flex Coat type reel seat arbors are probably
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Are blanks that are un-finished - no paint or clear coat, just sanded - any less durable? Are there ever issues with graphite fibers splintering slightly over time and sticking up?
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I use both for freshwater rods no problems.
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Herb Got it! I have a hard time using anything but Minima's for guides. Heavy ceramics just feel like they ruin the blank when built side by side.
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Thanks Herb!
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I do need the extension beyond the blank. Sounds like I can build it and butt the extension up to the end of the blank. I'll make sure to get a good bond. I usually use Flex Coat glue, but I am thinking Rod Bond may be a better choice here. Thanks to all!
Forum: rodboard

Building my first 10 wt, with a 4" spey type grip below the reel seat. The grip uses a threaded rod extension - cork glues on to long shaft part, and threaded end screws in to threaded insert that is glued in to bottom of reel seat. My question is this - the thread adapter that glues in the bottom of the reel seat is about an inch long give or take (don't have it here to measure). It's
Forum: rodboard