My thoughts were for a simple plain paper label that you could write your name on with a Sharpie pen and stick on your shirt . I feel that meeting people in the business and developing contacts at these type of shows is just as important as viewing the products. In fact one of the reasons I decided to go to the show (from California) was so I could personally meet and talk to the people tha
Forum: rodboard

I too have a number of back injuries and am waiting to have the exact surgery you just had. When I'm down for periods of time, instead of trying to wrap or build, while the medication is masking the pain, I re-read all my rod building books, re-watch all my rod building DVD's and VHS's and read everything I can on rod building on the web. While I'm reviewing all this material I find myself lea
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Tom, I have a question regarding the "Big Show" in Feb. Will there be name tags provided for attendees? I think it would be a great idea so people could identify each other especially those who faithfully use this great website. I have communicated with so many wonderful people through RBO that I would love to be able to put a face to a name while at the show.
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Like Mark and Raymond stated, it happened to all of us and especially on thin light rods. Just keep practicing and before you know it, you will have mastered it and it will become second nature to you. Hang in there, follow the above advise, and good luck.
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Robert has helped me pick out a number of Batson bass (and trout) blanks mostly in the RX7's models that I just love. They seem as good or better then the high end blanks I previously built. One of my most recent shipments from fishsticks4u included a RX8 bass blank that I can't wait to build. Its sweet!! Give them a call and ask for Robert. He'll do a good job in helping you pick ou
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Very nice Raymond! Your tutorial came out great. That's the way you taught me the first time I met you and I have been using that style of trim wraps on all my rods ever since.
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Raymond, I got mine yesterday so I would expect your's should be at your house very soon. It usually takes forever for RMM to make it out to California.
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Mike is correct on the pink and purple Suede Tex flocking material. It will not work on rods like the Nylon material will. I too was looking for pink and purple handles and I pretty much came up with nothing. The only place I found pink and purple EVA was through Merricks and I had no way to buy it without a Tax ID number. I ended up using cork for a handle and purple/pink hologram guides, a
Forum: rodboard

Mike is correct on the pink and purple Suede Tex flocking material. It will not work on rods like the Nylon material will. I too was looking for pink and purple handles and I pretty much came up with nothing. The only place I found pink and purple EVA was through Merricks and I had no way to buy it without a Tax ID number. I ended up using cork for a handle and purple/pink hologram guides, a
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Rgarding large ga. needles and syringes, the best place to buy these is at your local ranch supply and feed store. They sell some very large ones for horses and cattle. I have one I've used for many years to inject fish and meat with marinate before I place it in the BBQ or smoker.
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I too am building a rod for my grandson (4 yrs old) who is already a hard core fisherman. I called Robert at fishsticks4u and asked him what he would recommend for a nice rod that would be durable enough to stand up to a 4 year old boy. He recommended the Rainshadow/Forecast E-glass SPG722 6ft ( only $12 or $13) that I will be cutting down to 5ft. I got the rod last week and I am very pleased
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I just viewed mine about an hour ago. Like you said its layed out very nice and the photos and written descriptions of the many, many products will make it much easier in placing an order. The nice large, sharp, colored photos will give you a much better idea of what you are actually buying and orders should be a lot easiler using this new catalog.
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That's it? We have to wait till Feb. to find out what the major announcement will be that will really shake up the custom rod building craft? No hints?
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When I first got into rod building, I found this site and from here I found fishsticks4u. I was looking for some high end blanks that I was a big fan of and contacted Robert at fishsticks4u. Robert told me about the Rainshadow blanks and convinced me to buy one, build it and compare it to the high end rods I have been fishing for years. I did, and in fact I bought a couple of Rainshadow blan
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I was in the same boat when I first started building rods. I wanted some low priced blanks to practice on but I also did not want blanks that were cheap and poor qualitiy to fish with. I contacted Robert at "fishsticks4u" (one of the sponsors on the left). He found me some very low priced blanks he had in stock that actually were very nice rods for the money. If I remember correct
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Hi Tom, This will be my first time at the show and I have one question. I was wondering if name tags are worn so people can but a face to a name. There are a lot of people I hope to meet while there and I was thinking name tags would sure make this easier.
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I wash my hands with soap and water and when working with white thread, I go one step further and wipe my hands off with alcohol and a paper towel. If its hot, I might wipe my hands off with alcohol even more often to keep the thread white and bright.
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You might want to check out Wasco Wild Life Artist Supplies Company at www.taxidermy.net . They have a number of chemicals and products that are used by fish taxidermist to prevent bacteria and fugus on their fish mounts. In fact, Wasco has all kinds of products, such as hundreds of tools, paints, pigments, glitters, epoxies, any many, many more items that can be used in rod building. You'
Forum: rodboard

Call or e-mail Robert at fishsticks4u (sponsor on the left). Ask him about which Rainshadow blank he would recommend. They are very nice rods and you can't go wrong with the price. I would agree that a 7 ot 71/2 ft rod would be great for tossing these large swimbaits.
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I use the Dremmel with the drill press stand but I did buy the mini grinder with a mini buffing wheel and a flex arbor from Harbor Freight. I went to their on-line website, down loaded one of their sale coupons and bought the whole unit for $30 at the local HF store. Its a pretty neat little unit for the money.
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Rich, I too felt intiminated when I first started doing wraps. I was lucky enough to have Raymond Adams come over and show me how to wrap the basic diamond and chevron wraps. Its really very easy and Tom explained it perfectly. Take Raymond's advise and "just do it!" Okay thats Nike's advise but you get the idea. I think you'll be surprized how fast it will come to you once you
Forum: rodboard

Like Raymond said, call Robert at fishsticks4u. Ask him about Batson's Rainshadow blanks and he can help you pick out a rod to suit your needs. Batson's blanks are great blanks and are much more reasonable in price then some of the big name rod companies (and they are just as nice). For Lake Amador you'll need a good 6' 6" to 7 ft rod with some back bone and a sensitve tip, since sometim
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Antti, Very impressive website and a beautiful family. I feel like I have come to know you and I enjoyed all of the personal photos you included on your site. I also enjoyed viewing the beautiful rods you have built and seeing the photos of the dandy fish you have caught. Its just amazing how a website like RBO and can bring so many people together (from around the world) through the sing
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Has anyone ever tried storing PermaGlass in a large syringe? Seems like this would be any easy way to avoid any air contact and an easy way to use the product. Just a thought.
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Thanks guys for you quick replies. The rod is drying as I type.
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I want to put another coat of epoxy (Threadmaster) on my butt wrap. The epoxy that is on there was applied a good 2 months ago. In the pass I always sanded the epoxy down to 1200-1500 grit sandpaper. I am now wondering if this is too smooth for the next coat of epoxy to bond to (especially since the first coat has cured for 2 months)? Currently I have the epoxy sanded down with 600 grit and
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If you buy your pigment at Tap's Plastic, pick up a couple of their 2, 3 or 4 foot carbon rods. They are cheap and look like a regular, flat black, fishing rod blank that's been cut up. I use these to practice my marbling on. I also use them to practice my thread work on. I have even been known to throw a short one into my suitcase (with some thread and a few tools) when I go out of town a
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Thank you everyone for your replies. John, I appreciate your offer to help and you leaving your phone number. I guess I'll finish tanning the skins out and try the resin. I have the article and I went down to Tap's Plastic and bought a booking on casting resin. If I get stuck, I'll be sure to call you, John. Thanks again.
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I have a couple rattlesnake skins I have stretched, salted, dried and cured. The skins are workable but some what stiff. They can be bent without cracking and I beleive I can relax ithem even more by placing them in a pickling solution of water, vinegar and salt. I want to use the skins on a reel seat , or possibly on a handle or as a design on a swelled butt. I have read the article in RM a
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I have found a second coat is only needed when I use a lot of U.F. glitter in the epoxy. On a light amount of U.F.glitter, I have found no additional coats of epoxy are needed, especially when I'm using Threadmaster.
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