Better check with any of the Fuji dealers to the left. I think these are the new ones? May be tough to find unless a builder can help you out. Sorry I have none.
Forum: rodboard

Using the one size smaller 1st 180 guide was part of the original Simple Spiral method. Notes on that very thing have been in several Rodmaker issues. I\'m also not sure it really makes any difference because you cannot force the butt section into a bend of more than 180 degrees and the line will rest and pull on the 1st 180 guide at some point before you get to that point. Its a non issue for me
Forum: rodboard

Very doubtful its a Loomis blank. They go by inches so your blank would only be 6\'4\" total length from that 764 listing. How long is it? I can find some almost that short in the Loomis blank catalogs of old but none so short with a collapsing handle. Thats what the X stands for. They may still be good blanks but I dont think they are from G. Loomis. Better ask the seller for an explanation
Forum: rodboard

It WAS brought up and it sounded bizarre. The guy tried it and decided it was not for him. Went to a more conventional approach and got better results. I tried to look it up because I do remember it but I can\'t remember who the author was. Will try to find it later.
Forum: rodboard

It\'s not my area of interest but I did notice the number of bamboo rod making related vendors seems to be on the upswing. Everything looks great!
Forum: rodboard

Looking forward to seeing more of them.
Forum: rodboard

I would eat my hat, and yours, if you can tell any difference in sensitivity between one way or the other.
Forum: rodboard

Kirk, I see you did not bother to really read my post. You cannot possibly compare an organizated rod building club with officers, dues, newsletters, etc., etc. to a small local group gathering or a personal business enterprise like the NERBS. Please go back and this time carefully note this sentence in my original post....\'The future is in the informal get togethers,...\'
Forum: rodboard

IMO it did not work for the same reason that no other organized rod building club can these days.......... it did not offer anything that you could not already get from the internet and for less or completely free of charge. The referral service might have been worthwhile. But just the one single ad was not enough to get any momentum going. I know a lot of builders were waiting to see if RBI w
Forum: rodboard

I believe the RBI Group is defunct and has been for over a year. Sadly, the day of the organized rod building club is long over. This is true not only in custom rod building but in many other types of craft related clubs as well. They were once the focal point for information pertaining to their crafts and hobbies but with the advent of the internet that function has passed into a different metho
Forum: rodboard

Batson probably has something in the RX7 line. Good product at the right price.
Forum: rodboard

All marketing gimmicks. One will known fly rod maker touts its \"smooth actions\" as a selling tool. What the heck is a \"smooth action?\" Have you ever used a rod with a \"harsh action?\" I thought action was fast, moderate or slow? Another blank supplier has recently combined \"both traditional and progressive actions.\" What that heck are those? Now
Forum: rodboard

843, but these are not based on the Loomis IMX rods. According to the Mudhole literature, they were designed in house by Mudhole employees.
Forum: rodboard

I thought Pacific Bay built the Minima guides?
Forum: rodboard

Whoa! The lure weight rating for some hot shot and back bouncing blanks is not what you can CAST, but what you can FISH! Be careful as trying to cast lures that weigh four or six ounces can easily pop a blank! Casting weight ranges are usually much more narrow, as the CCS indicates, but fishing lure weight ranges for back bouncing and hot shotting are very broad.
Forum: rodboard

The margins on reels these days is not very high. Places like Bass Pro and Cabelas are selling at near wholesale anyway. You are not going to save much with any sort of wholesale account. This is why so many mom and pop fishing tackle stores have folded in recent years. Hard to compete with the big box stores that sell to the public at near wholesale anyway.
Forum: rodboard

\"Nothing wrong with China made blanks. \" That is my statement from above. A little more time spent reading and less time spent assuming might be in order. You are not required to put a \"made in China\" label on Chinese made products. I think it is the \"Made in USA\" that requires that the product be made or at least assembled here that carries any sort of req
Forum: rodboard

I suspect the MHX and American Tackle Classic Series ARE one and the same, sold under different labels. I think they are made in China. Sure Mudhole will correct me if I\'m wrong. Nothing wrong with China made blanks. I would bet my eye tooth that North Fork has nothing to do with the Mudhole MHX blanks.
Forum: rodboard

The search function is a wonderful thing!
Forum: rodboard

The Batson RX8 blanks are a known commodity. They are excellent. The new Mudhole MHX will probably be very good as well but they have not stood the test of time, yet. I cannot really see them as an \"IMX\" replacement considering the price and country of manufacture, but time will tell. Just MHO.
Forum: rodboard

Only two places I know of stock them. Binghams and Schneiders.
Forum: rodboard

I thought this was very good Not exactly showing the breaks but good info on how to keep from breaking a rod in the first place!
Forum: rodboard

Catching up on some of the tools and equipment on the photo page and came upon this, Looks like a hospital surgery room! I wanted to ask if the lathe benches were custom made or have they been adapted from some other use? I assume the high area on the near end are drawer units for thread storage?
Forum: rodboard

Mine arrived yesterday. LOTS of information. I think these CDs represent the greatest amount of rod building wisdom and information than all the books and vids put together. Keep them coming!
Forum: rodboard

A simple search of the archives here is all it takes to turn up the info you want.....
Forum: rodboard

I second the Batson recommendation. Great blank and great price. Performs like blanks costing three times as much!
Forum: rodboard

I think he\'s referring to the Amato book written by Tom Kirkman titles Rod Building Guide.
Forum: rodboard

More information is ALWAYS helpful. The old 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc power ratings were also helpful but they didn\'t translate from one company to another. So I think the CCS power rating is much better. While we\'re on the subject............. physical weight should also be listed for rod blanks IMO. I know they used to be and not sure why most companies stopped listing them, but I think most build
Forum: rodboard

How close you can put the choke guide depends on the size and stiffness of your line. 27X is great because it works with ALL line sizes and types. Above Tom mentioned trying it a little closer if you are using light mono or braid. That\'s worth a try. Keep in mind that where the choker goes is not supposed to be based on looks or rod length. It goes where it goes so that the line can be contro
Forum: rodboard

Uh, Artie died. No idea if it was from epoxy or a car accident but not sure you want to hold up Artie as proof that this stuff is not likely to harm you. Something sure got him.
Forum: rodboard