Thomas, you can wrap the tip of the blank with A thread, seal the thread with 5-min. epoxy, then put on the tip top. Or you can use the size guide next to the tip for a tip guide. Remember to use a security wrap. Ralph
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A hexagraph blank/rod is made of a flat sheet of graphite bonded to a closed cell foam and cut, tapered, beveled, and epoxied together as to imitate a Bamboo rod. The graphite takes the place of the outer, or power fibers and the foam the rest of the bamboo in the rod. Go to 'www.hexagraph.com' and read the rest of the story. I built one once for a customer and fell in love with the feel of the f
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Thanks, Ken. What exactly is 'English Style'? Ralph
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A man wants me to build him a 12 to 15ft. fast - mod.fast action surf rod to cast 8 & bait with 30 - 40 lb. test line. I need help finding blanks for this. Thanks. Ralph
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A man wants me to build him a 12 to 15ft. fast - mod.fast surf rod to cast 8oz. + bait with 30 - 40 # line. A big fish rod. I need help finding blanks to choose from. Thanks in advance. Ralph
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A man wants me to build him a 12 to 15ft. fast-mod.fast surf rod to cast 8oz. + bait with 30 - 40 # line. A big fish rod. I need help finding blanks to choose from. Thanks in advance. Ralph
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At least he has Crimson & White for Alabama fans. Ralph
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Try 'Custom Tackle Supply' or 'Golden Witch' on the left. Ralph
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Any wire guide is much softer than ceramic guides, as long as you are talking about good quality Aluminum Oxide through SIC. The cheap ceramic guides you find on many Commercial rods vary. I prefer Alconite for durability, light weight and cost. Yes, I know Recoils and other single foot snakes are lighter, but I still like Alconite. Ralph
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If you do wrap the male end make sure to leave a bit, 1/4in. or so for the pieces to wear, just as a spiggot ferrule has. Ralph
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If you do wrap the male end make sure to leave a bit, 1/4in. or so for the pieces to wear, just as a spiggot ferrule has. Ralph
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Tru-Oil and finish to at least 400grit, if you use any finish at all. Ralph
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I only use acetone for the final cleaning step for brushes I intend to store until the next project. As in 'that job is done. I like 91% clear Rubbing alcohol instead of Denatured alcohol for rodbuilding chores. There is 5% or so in Denatured alcohol that is "something else", not alcohol. This something else could possibly dammage a blank. I've found color from the blank on my pap
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Several years ago I built a Cabela's PT764-2pc. into a combination fly/spin rod and it's my favorite for when it's not convenient to carry more than one rod, wading, float tubing, etc. I made a 12in. cork & ring handle to use the rings at the butt for a fly reel or the other end of the grip for spinning and used Fuji BYLG guides, (before Alconite) size 25, 16, 12, 8, then 7's to the tip. I pl
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Yes, you should fill the guidefoot tunnels. Ralph
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I/we need more details. Freshwater? Saltwater? Will you use shooting heads. The size of the guides depend on usage. If freshwater and normal backing-flyline-leader usage, then #12 stripper, 10, 8, then 6's to the tip. If saltwater or if you use shooting heads for distance, the guides & tip need to be larger to allow knots/loops to pass easily, then perhaps, #12 stripper, 10, 8, and 7's t
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In cold weather I heat the saucer (just warm to the touch) that I wrap with foil. I mix the epoxy, then pour it onto the foil to extend the working time. The bubbles go away, I apply it from the butt to the tip, using a lot, then I remove the excess from, again, the butt to the tip, then I 'Leave It Alone'. Do not fiddle with it, let it cure. Merry Christmas. Ralph
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The double foot snake guides add a miniscule (tiny) amount of stiffness to the section of blank/rod covered by the wraps. When the rod flexes the double footed snake guide must flex with it. The single footed snake,or single footed ceramic, for instance the Fuji Alconite, has a much shorter area of effect on the blank/rod giving the blank/rod a (tiny) bit more of the crispness built into it.
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D'oh!!! Ralph
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I think what I use is lower tech than either. You twist the handle and read the numbers off the top of the handle. 0-1in. to 0.001in. Ralph
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Is a switch rod the same thing as a spey rod? It's not in the Glossary. If not, what is it? Ralph
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Domenic, I see absolutely no reason not to do this. It is Your rod to build as You choose. That's what custom rodbuilding is all about. My fishing rod to suit Me. Your's to suit you. Merry christmas. Ralph
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I try to spell correctly. Being cheap, I keep the dictionary my folks bought me for high school english (The World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary for 1962, 2 volume set) on a shelf in reach of this desk. Sometimes I look up several words in one reply. Ralph
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Okay, I'll mention two I didn't see above and confess I've done most of those -ONCE-, I'll not admit to twice even though... I might have, probably did. Turning off the light in the new workshop the first time. (the rod dryer was plugged into the lamp plug) When the electrician (guess who) put in a ceiling fan & light kit he left that plug in the circuit instead of wiring it with the oth
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Bill, you beat me to it. I was going to say the same thing. Merry Christmas. Ralph
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Some People??? I've been a subscriber for almost as long as there has been a RodMaker Magazine, I missed those almost mythical first two issues # 1-1 & 1-2, and I intend to be a subscriber from now on! I have yet to receive an issue I didn't learn from. Well, I've no complaint with RodMaker other than 'I read it too fast and must wait, again', and Tom can't fix that. Why is it that some
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I get brushes from Walmart, now. I made Ralph's spatulas and used them until I decided a brush works better for me. I've got a dozen brushes and more, the brushes I go to are cheap Walmart 'Plaid' brand 'Shader' style in size 4, 6, or 8 depending on the width of the wrap. I have the expensive artists brushes but these work just as well. Remember what Rick said above, "Rinse them off wit
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The new format looks great. Ralph
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