Anglers workshop carries them, although not always in stock. But they can get them. Jeff Hunter
Forum: rodboard

What I have found with using the simple bumber-guide method is that I don't need to have the customer's reel like I do if I'm wrapping one of the other spiral systems. With the other systems, although they worked well, it was pretty important to set them up with the line path coming from the reel that was going to be used on the rod. Or at least one very similar. Using the bumber guide system, it
Forum: rodboard

William, you're correct in that only the reel seat is attached to the blank. I had some concerns about this too so I conducted some very un-scientific tests on a casting model. I built it on a Rainshadow salmon blank and anchored the butt section in a vise a few inches in front to the reelseat. I then applied varying amounts of pressure to the "floating" handle and could not get it to f
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Thanks guys, the one at Decal Connection is the one I was looking for Jeff Hunter
Forum: rodboard

If you think about it in terms of "taming" the line, the first guide on a level wind casting set-up is the line guide on the reel itself. These are seldom larger than about a size 6 or maybe 7 on a larger reel. I just build a 13' Rainshadow float rod that my customer wanted as a casting rod. He wanted all number 6 guides, including the butt guide. He says it casts like a dream and he ha
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I had a rather slow day at work the other day and was looking through all of the sponsor sites again. I found a record-keeping software ad on one of them and now I can't seem to find it again. Does anyone know off the top of their head who is offering this? Thanks Jeff Hunter
Forum: rodboard

I'm looking for a light gray steelhead blank. Not the natural graphite look. I saw a bunch of rods down at Lamiglas that were almost a pearl gray. But they must have been a special order as I can't find anything similar anywhere. Does anyone know of anything like this out there? Thanks, Jeff Hunter
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Mike, check out the new Rainshadow RX8+ blanks. They are 4 pc blanks, very fast and feel really good. I'm not sure what they retail for but several of the sponsors carry them I believe. Jeff Hunter
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Is it just me or do all of you have orders pour in as soon as you decide to slow down for a month so you can get some fishing in? I really want to go chase some summer run steelhead and made a concerted effort to slow down taking orders for the month. As soon as I did, the phone started ringing off the hook. I'm finding myself slowing down at the seafood cooler in Safeway just for fish smell. I m
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Thanks guys. I've wrapped several with underwraps but have a guy who isn't concerned with the asthetics of the wraps and didn't know if there was any added protection from the underwrap. Jeff
Forum: rodboard

I'm wrapping a halibut rod on a solid glass blank. I'm going to spiral wrap it using the bumber guide system. How important is it to use an under wrap on a solid glass blank if the guides are prepped correctly. Thanks, Jeff Hunter
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Donnie, I have recently built several halibut rods on Batson's solid blanks. Good blanks and a good price point too. Jeff Hunter
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Thanks guys. I appreciate the information. Jeff Hunter
Forum: rodboard

How dry does the first coat of Aftcote have to be before the 2nd coat can be applied? I have always let my first coat be completely dry to the touch before applying the 2nd coat, whether using Aftcote, U-40 or FlexCoat. I'm in a bit of a rush on a rod and am curious as to whether the 2nd coat can go on when the first one is still tacky or if that will that inhibit the finish setting up. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

Congrats and thanks Tom. I have been building rods since high school which is much longer ago than I care to admit. I have learned more in the past 2+ years on this board and from the magazine than I had in 20+ years of stumbling along on my own. The information exchanged here and that provided in the magazine is impossible to put a price on. As much thanks goes to all of the contributors to this
Forum: rodboard

Rich, I've heard several answers to this question and I still don't know what the "correct" answer is, if such a thing exists. What I do is to wrap the female ferrrule 1/2 the length of the amount of male end that is inserted. For example, in your case where you have 2 inches of overlap, I would wrap approximately 1". I don't know if that is the best way to do it but I have never h
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Mike. That'll make things a little easier. Jeff Hunter
Forum: rodboard

I've only been using Rod Bond for about 6 months and I love it. I am curious though as to how critical the 50/50 mixture is. Coming from the epoxy side of the fence, I am using measuring spoons to measure out my portions of Rod Bond. Is this necessary or is the eyball method close enough? I do close each container as soon as I'm done with it as I came close to doing what Bill did soon after I sta
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I was just getting ready to wrap 4 matching halibut rods when I got my copy of RodMaker. I was going to do a "regular" spiral wrap on them. After reading the article, I went with the one guide transition with the bumper guide. One of them caught a 60 lb butt off of Port Angeles and all reports were good. No problem at all with line travel or path. This is a much easier spiral system to
Forum: rodboard

Ken, I just saw the upgraded check assembly yesterday. It seems to be everything that the original chucks are not. Has a nice heavy feel to it and appears to be very secure and easy to use. All you have to do now is find one. They seem to be going out as soon as the suppliers get them. I'll be getting one as soon as I can locate one. I believe they said the MSRP on them is around $100.00. That p
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I just got home from the get-together down in Woodland at the Lamiglas plant. It was an incredible opportunity for those of us who haven't been able to make it to the "big show". I finally got to meet several of the gentleman who's work I have been admiring, as well as getting to see some that I already knew. Ralph O'Quinn did a very informative presentation on finish application. I pic
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I may be wrong but I believe that both Rainshadow and Forecast products are made off shore now. I'm going to be seeing Bill and Karry Batson this next weekend in Woodland. I'll get a clarification from them then. As I said, I respect everyone's position on the other aspect of this. But if we are talking solely about quality, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these blanks to anybody. Jeff Hunte
Forum: rodboard

Mike, if the quality of the blank is the concern, the new Rainshadow blanks are better than what was being offered before. I just went up and checked out the new stuff at Batson's new place. The old models are the same actions as before but with a nicer finish. The new RX8+ models are some of the nicest that I've felt. Very nice feel and finish. If we're talking about something other than product
Forum: rodboard

Just curious as to how many of you from this board plan on attending the show in Woodland. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone as much as I am seeing the seminars and demos. It looks like there will be plenty to keep us busy. I apologize if this is a duplicate. My first post seems to have temporarily disappeared. Jeff Hunter
Forum: rodboard

Barry, I just tried Aftcoat for the first time. I have used flexcoat for years. I tried the high build but found that I was still putting on two coats so I stuck with the regular. I've also used the U-40 and found the same thing. While I was happy with the Flexcoat, I really like the Aftcoat finish. It seems to be a smoother end result. I still put two coats on and my rod room is normally around
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Sounds good to me Emory. I'm trying to decide whether to drive back and forth or stay a night or two down there. Having some type of social activity in the evening would make my decision easier. I'm not sure how my checkbook is going to fare being that close to Lamiglas and Angler's Workshop for 3 days but maybe we can form a support group to keep each other from going home completely penniless.
Forum: rodboard

Just wanted to put my two cents in. This thread is the reason that this forum works as well as it does. Go try to find a board where a topic such as this is handled and discussed in this civil of a manner. It has always amazed me that with very few exceptions, even major disagreements on this board are handled in an agreeable manner. Kudos to Tom and all of the rest or you (us) for maintaining th
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Thanks for the update Emory. I am counting the days. Looks like a good bunch of presentations. I finally got ot meet Todd at the Flyfishing show in Bellevue. He said that there were a number of soon-to-be rod builders that expressed an interest in attending. Sounds like its going to be a good time. Looking foreward to meeting you and some of the others that are only names on the computer. J
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Thanks Dennis. Jim, I got your email and will be in touch jeff hunter
Forum: rodboard

I'm looking to buy a loom and would like some input from those of you with experience with them. I'm sure the Wonder Weaver would be the way to go but I'm curious as to whether the less expensive looms will work relatively well. Are there any other 360 looms available? How do the flat looms work in comparison? And which sponsors carry the looms other than the Wonder Weaver? Thanks Jeff Hunt
Forum: rodboard