On the heavier FW rods I've built, I tie a seperate line to the tip and use that to apply the drag/pressure to flex the blank. Once the blank is flexed, light tension on the line off the reel will give you the line path through the guides without moving them. I had the same problem with regular guides until I saw this tip one the board here. Give it a try.
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Is MJ throwing in the weaving towel?
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Good times. I would like to thank everyone for making time to meet up, it was great to see everybody again and meet a couple of new folks. I think we had our biggest selection of eye candy so far. It was great to see all the different wraps, handles, paint jobs, trim rings, etc and thanks to Jim Fowler I stayed up way too late last night finishing my first turkshead knot lol. Now if I cou
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Have fun chasing those mythical creatures. I'm not sure they really exist.
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I'm hosting a gathering on October 30th in the Chicago suburbs. We have the makings of a great day but have room for more people. If you are interested in coming, please send me an email and I'll get you directions. We are going to start at 10:00 AM and usually wind up at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. If you can't make it at the start or stay until the end, come when you can. Dan Makauskas

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Wayne and Mike, If you think you can make it send me an Email and I'll put you on the list. We still have room for a few more. Tom, Thanks for the offer to spread the word, next time I'll try and plan things with a little more lead time. Dan
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Maize and Blue affiliations are always welcome Gary, we even put up with those MSU folks. Maybe your business meeting will get rescheduled!
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I'm hosting a gathering on Saturday October 30th in the Chicago Suburbs. Please send me an email if you are interested in attending. Let me know if you have something you would like to share. We'll start at 10:00 AM. Looking forward to it, Dan
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Drew, I rebuilt a set of these a few year ago and went with Coats and Clark thread Sun Yellow (#321A) with Gudebrod 5274 brown as trim. Dan
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That was a blast. I think it was easier to host than to drive as far as some of these guys did. Thanks to everyone for coming and sharing. I think the only thing missing was the Indiana guys and the HNIC, at least this way there was some leftover pork LOL. Thanks also to Scott from FishSticks4U for the package of Fishhawk thread. I think everyone grabbed some. Jeff, I'm sure we can
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I'm going to host a gathering in the Chicago Suburbs Saturday, December 12th at 10:00 AM. If you would like to attend, send me an E-Mail. Let me know if you have something to share with the group. Let's hope for good weather.
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It took me 3 coats to turn black to bright green. I wasn't able to put it on thick enough to make it in one coat.
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Andy, Jim Upton's book has plans for a loom as well as many tips and tricks that have helped me out quite a bit. The plans also appeared in Rodmaker vol 9 issue 3. I have made several sets, they are easy to make and cost just a few dollars at the hardware store for parts.
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I'd like to thank everyone for making the trip out. It was fun to meet everyone and I loved seeing the work up close and personal. Hosting one of these is no big deal when everyone pitches in like they did. Someday, I hope Al will sign my color wheel lol.
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Looking forward to it Billy, should be a good time!
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I've matched up 1892 olive green on fenwick rods.
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I've wrapped a couple of rods this spring with coats and clark polyester (used CP), and have had no problems so far.
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