Good point-I'll keep that in mind.
Forum: rodboard

I usually do the same.
Forum: rodboard

I have had a cardboard triangular box literally crushed and have opened the box and shockingly found the blank had not been damaged. I have had a PVC tube arrive in pristine condition with the rod blank snapped-go figure. I too prefer the PVC and ship all my rods in the thick wall PVC but I never assume they will arrive intact-I always e-mail the customer to make sure the rod arrived successful
Forum: rodboard

Tom-I think you're right. The last time I opened the bottle was a couple of weeks ago. The time before that was back in April-We had a cold winter and cool spring spring and now it's hot and humid-not to mention the "oven" that is my upstairs rod building room where I can get the epoxy to dry hard in about 2 and 1/2 hours. Like everything in life and rod building, every positive situa
Forum: rodboard

They used to carry 7-piece fly blanks. I built one and it was amazing how well it cast. It was a 9-footer that you could carry in your back pocket. I still have it and wish they still carried those blanks. David Spence, Cape Custom Rods, Beaufort, NC
Forum: rodboard

Thanks guys-I just got complacent when the bottle had been opened and closed many times with no change in the viscosity of the product. It was so different in that respect from Permagloss that I assumed the same storage precautions were also different. I have my Permagloss in the metal can with a screw in the bottom of the can so I'll use that method in the future. Still a great product that I
Forum: rodboard

First things first-I love Lumiseal and have used it for many applications. I have only used 3/4 of my original bottle. Up until tonight, I just opened the bottle inserted my brush and went to work. Tonight I opened the bottle and found that the top of the product had set up forming a membrane about 1/4" deep. I was able to puncture the membrane and found that the product that didn't cong
Forum: rodboard

On light rods, I can wrap 4 guides before I wrap one with the power wrapper. To get a wrap that has no gaps, in my experience, you have to go very slowly and carefully with the power wrapper, negating its main benefit of speed and I find inlays on these light rods especially frustrating. For guide wraps on larger rods-offshore or heavier trolling rods, I use the power wrapper. I can go back an
Forum: rodboard

Personally, I choose my guide finish based upon the "attractiveness" of the supplier-Let's see, Sylvia, Roger, Andy, Tom-Looks like its D2 for me! Seriously, I've tried 'em all and had good and bad experiences with them all-the only "constant" in any success or failure is ME. Like everyone, the last thing I want to do is admit that I messed something up. If I do it right, I
Forum: rodboard

JP Timberlake's SBSS is the lightest and the best-hands down.
Forum: rodboard

I went long, strong and wrong right "out of the gate." No sir, no cheap blank to actually practice on-I settled on a Loomis GL3 7-weight blank. I got on the phone with some clerk with Cabelas and I had a list of components with which to build, ("assemble") my first rod. My hands were shaking because I wanted so badly to act like I knew what I was doing. I knew that if I fo
Forum: rodboard

FishCreek blanks are sold by Scott Parsons at Fish-Sticks-a board sponsor at the left.
Forum: rodboard

I fish the flats for tailing reds often and also blind cast anywhere in the salt. I have at least 10 8-weight rods in all configurations. Last year I built on a 9-foot, cobalt blue, Fishcreek 8-weight blank and I also built a matching rod for a friend in SC. We fished the flats last summer in SC with these rods and found that these rods are not only beautiful but they are also absolute cannons
Forum: rodboard

Ditto Angler's Roost-Just built my first on their blank and it turned out great. Great folks to deal with too.
Forum: rodboard

I bought some Lumi-Seal at the show-I had never heard of it before. I have used it to refurbish a rod, as a finish on bamboo rod guides and as a gloss finish on carbon fiber grips. I have never used a more user friendly, versatile product. It also has none of the storage or "heat" issues of Perma-Gloss and a regular bottle goes a long way. It's being hyped on these boards for a good
Forum: rodboard

Let's see- 1. Start thread by making an assertion that there is a problem crying out for a solution; 2. Base the assertion upon a flimsy hypothesis consisting of scant, anecdotal or personally supplied information (to, wit: a "straw man);". 3. Swing at the "straw man" and miss by concluding that there is, in fact, no real answer to the problem and that there never has been
Forum: rodboard

I bought some Lumi-Seal at the Expo-I actually don't remember buying it, it was just one of the many products I scarfed-up in my two-hour manic spending frenzy. Its been sitting on my rod building table since the show, but yesterday I was having issues getting the right finish on a carbon fiber grip so I brushed on some Lumi-Seal. I was amazed at the smooth, glossy finish it put on those grips
Forum: rodboard

FWIW-What's the difference between Urethane and Polyurethane (other than the name)?
Forum: rodboard

John-Where do you find that?
Forum: rodboard

Using Min-Wax Clear Gloss Quick Dry Polyurethane. Maybe I'm not letting it dry long enough-how long does it usually take to dry hard?
Forum: rodboard

Ditto on that Gel Poly fish for wood-nothing like it.
Forum: rodboard

I have been trying to finish my carbon fiber grips by sanding down almost to the fibers and then using spray urethane to get a smooth and glossy finish. Have any of you had problems with fingerprints after the finish is applied and dry? Thanks-David Spence, Cape Custom Rods, Beaufort, NC
Forum: rodboard

I just got a shipping charge refund from Riley Rods and have gotten one from Swampland. To justify some vendor's higher shipping charges, I just buy more items so that the shipping charge is a lower percentage of the purchase. I find that there is always something I need or can use later. It never hurts to have some more guides, decals, thread, winding checks, reel seats, etc.
Forum: rodboard

I'm getting $75 for carbon fiber-the customer usually has never seen them before and their reaction after seeing them on a rod is incredible. I keep three rods to show them and let them pick colors. My cost is probably less that $10.
Forum: rodboard

I prefer to support this board's sponsors and I understand why they're not-they sell tons of stuff other than rod building supplies. That being said, I have built several rods with their blanks and they are really nice and a good value. I still think that one of our sponsors would have the same blank at the same price.
Forum: rodboard

I'd look at some of the Fishhawk variegated threads-it will certainly not be plain.
Forum: rodboard

Got to talk to him also-forgot to bring a copy of my book. He was incredibly humble and unassuming-he appeared to be mesmerized by the event and absorbing all of it. His book is available on Amazon for about $20 and contains a wealth of information on lure making, rod building and other fishing topics. Written over 35 years ago and still timeless.
Forum: rodboard

It was great to meet such a lovely and gracious lady. Your uncle would surely be proud of you and the new product. I love D-II and bought a lot of it. Thanks for coming to the Expo and thanks for the great rod finish.
Forum: rodboard

In my opinion, any serious rod-builder who misses this show is missing the best and best run expo ever. The entrance fee is equal to the price of having one rod blank shipped. The sales are unreal-I bought ten terrific blanks for $15 and can make a rod and get $250 for it. You will meet all the suppliers in person and meet many people on this board. In addition to the expo, there is time to s
Forum: rodboard

Thanks-I'm coming from the NC coast, about a 4-hour drive. I have been to the EXPO about 4 times and have forgotten the line to get in. Just want to be there for the raffle and door prizes.
Forum: rodboard