Go to @#$%& in the left column. They have a visor for $10 that is AWESOME. Even comes with 4 different lenses
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I had been using file and Dremel until I tried the bench grinder... I'll neve look back!
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I sure would love to see that! Any chance of a quick demo at the West Coast Show?
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Brad. I have been giving mine a light sand between coats and applying three all together. First coat wets the sleeve out, second and third get the whole thing pretty smooth. Even the first coat is squeegied off with a latex glove to avoid uneven buildups. When finished, I spray a coat of clear finish. (I have tried urathane and acrylic. Both look good and the jury is still out on how well the
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I would not pour 36 inches. Even with mold release, the inside of th pvc is not totally perfect and A 12 inch core takes some effort to remove. I believe it would be very difficult to get 20+ inches out of the mould. Just MHO.
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An Xacto blade is rather thick. Get yourself some single edged razor blades and change them out often. A super sharp blade is a must. Just put a bit of tension on the tag, touch the blade on the tag end where it disappears under the wrap and you should be good. No burning needed. I read once that 5 or six wraps over the pull loop is enough, and have used that ever since.
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I am working on building the ends up with about 1/8" epoxy so that I can disk sand them. That's how we get sharp edges on surfboards. I'll let you know if it works on Sunday.
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I have used mylar tape, double sided masking tape, and I have used nothing. I can't tell the difference.
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I have never done it, but I remember reading about painting the blank white under the wraps using Testors hobby paints.
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I have been playing with the "simple spiral" also and have found no reason to use more than 3 sizes of guide. The stripper at say 16, a bumper guide as close to the blank as possible, and then running guides all the way up. The thinking is, once you cross the centerline of the blank, why move it any further away on the other side than you have to?
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I'm Flying out from San Diego tonight on teh...the red eye. If you see a guy that thinks cold weather means mid 50s, be sure to say "hey." If the cold doesn't make me shake, the excitement will.
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OH NO....Am I to infer that my t-shirts and shorts won't be sufficient? It has been rather warm in San Diego until today. Now it is raining and in the 60s. I had to put on a flannel shirt! LOL All gloating aside, Just how cold should I pack for? I was thinking that enough layers to get me into the 40s would be enough while outside, and inside is inside.
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As a hobby builder, these cost me quite a bit. I have over $100 into materials and it will take a really long time to make that pay. Especially the West system epoxy resin. (mucho pricey if you only want a few grips) I doubt it will ever pay in dollars because of shelf life... It is still worth it to me to make something cool. That's the real pay-off for me and when I finish one I will be rat
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Some household cleaners and window cleaners can make finishes fish eye.
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Thanks for the info everyone. I guess I'll just have to handle these things to see which they are. My sister says they are TRULINE blanks that his family built as boatrods way back when they owned half and three quarter day party boats. She is sure they are tubular.
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A friend just found "three old Trueline M80 blanks" in his mother's garage and has asked me to wrap one for him. I have not seen them and know nothing about them, but it occurs to me that for the high price of components and the work involved in a custom build, the cost of a modern blank is not that much. Does anyone know what these blanks are (any kind of spec.) and if they are worth
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Imagine there was only one manufacturer of rod blanks who could produce enough blanks to feed the whole rod building industry. Then imagine that one day he (or she) just destroyed all his tools and equipment and closed shop. That is exactly what happened in the surfboard industry two years ago. "Grubby" Clark, the owner of Clark Foam, The major manufacturer of surfboard blanks fo
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All this brings to mind another question? Having to fly home to California, What will I be able to bring home in my luggage, and what will I have to ship? I have no Idea what I will end up with, but will tools and such be confiscated? How about checking in blanks (properly packed in tubes)? I think this answers my question.
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I am working on a rose wrap like the one on the cover of your book. It is close to closing and I am wondering if it would be better to close the whole thing in black and then run a greem band in one direction, or if I should close one direction with a black band and then the other with green. Hope that makes sense, and thank you
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Shawn, The only problem I see is the lint. It will have to go. I would let the finish on that guide dry completely (perhaps 48 hours) so it is not at all tacky and totally sandable) the reast of the rod do whatever you planned..(in other words, if you plan another coat, get it done) When the affected finish is totally sandable, lightly sand just enough to remove the lint. Then put another t
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I did the same thing a few months back. I had already used Flex Coat CP and wanted to try Diamondite. Where Tim recommended their CP, he said others could be used. I went ahead with the Diamondite and everything came out beautifully.
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After recreating Billy's rose pattern (I think and thank you Billy) on VisWrap, I am trying to figure out how to space the layout threads. The layout function gives me some measurements, but they do not fall where the layout threads cross the 0 and 180 axises of the wrap. In fact, I can't see where they help at all. How do I figure out these measurements? Does the thread count have something
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I am with Gilbert and Jim. If the rear grip is too long, it gets hard to handle the rod from the seated position without catching it in your seat, vest... Kayak fishing is all about limited space. I fish inshore and usually have about 5 rods. Everythig wants to get caught on everything else. I am finding that the low profile of running guides going all the way up the rod on a simple spiral ke
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I think I'll try using Madiera for a decorative wrap, but can't figure out which number is Black. Is there any problem (beside a very small size diff.) with using Gudebrod A black and Madiera colors together? I can't think of any, but better to ask here than find out several hours into a crosswrap. Thank you
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I do have a trick that works for me, ( a relative novice) I have been applying finish quickly to my wraps without going over the edges. I then apply the coup de gras by dripping a glop of finish about 1/4" from the edge of the wrap. I then push the foot peddle on my lathe to get the rod spinning at a high rpm. I place my brush on the "glop" and walk it off the edge of the wr
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OK...I just got off the fence...there is one less room available
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I'm no pro, but I have had this experience. Just carefully shave the "flaw" off without going into the wrap and put on another thin coat. You should have no problems. SAFETY TIP Don't wipe the existing finish off with any kind of solvent or cleaner before the new coat....just a coffee filter. I tried that on my first rod and learned about fish eyes. Also, I dont think you need
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I took a group of kids fishing Sunday and the VP of my school tagged along. He had "an old garage sale" rod that turned out to be a Sabre. Somewhere along the line he broke the bottom guide which appears to be a PacBay boat guide. I tokk the rod home to fix for him . Anyhow, i thought it had some kind or burnt orange underwrap and trim band with black overwrap. I shaved the wrap
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Thank you Tom. I think that "bumper guide" is what I meant to say by "transition guide." The one on the 90 that is between the butt and the first 180. Anyhow...Thank you again for the help.
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I am getting ready to start my next project which will be a Rainshadow RCLB70L. It will be used as a kayak rod for trolling live mackrel for yellowtail, white seabass, and sometimes California halibut. I am thinking about trying a simple spiral, but before I order the guides, I was hoping to get some input from the experts. The guides I am looking at are the Forecast BPLTs. My tip ring wil
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