Ditto what Mick said....I heat the tip and scoop up the glue, then reheat and install. Works great.
Forum: rodboard

I tape the foil to a small pizza box. It lasts for 4-5 rods if you pour out the epoxy in strategic spots around the flat surface. Stretched and taped to the box the foil doesn't wrinkle. When done, undo the tape, throw the foil away and tape on a new one.
Forum: rodboard

William, take a look at my online catalog. I probably have what you need. Joe
Forum: rodboard

I recently made up a silver reel seat with black hoods for the reel foot to put on a rod with a silver graphite handle. I think I'll try mixing black and chrome guides on it and see how it looks.
Forum: rodboard

If it is not being used as a take down rod, you could always just glue the female end back into the handle and be done with it. You can also apply heat from a heat gun or hair dryer to the female side and see if you can slip it off or tap it off. Go easy with a heat gun. Sometimes those older ferrules just accummulate grit and slime and dust and make their own version of a "glue"
Forum: rodboard

Steve, The older W-M pack rods are still quite popular around here and I have seen this same problem several times. I have been able to apply heat and get the ferrule pieces to separate. I have also been successful with light weight oil. Most likely the glue holding the female section in the handle has dried out...you can sometimes reseat the female section in the handle and then get the
Forum: rodboard

Looks like we have survived the move. Phones are working, internet is working, orders are flowing smoothly, the rod bench is assembled and work is under way. Almost normal with only a few boxes left to unpack. Thank you to everyone who was so patient with us during the move. We appreciate your understanding and support.
Forum: rodboard

Scott, I have a 12 foot Fenwick surf rod that has seen very little use and has all the decals and numbers on it. I took this in trade on some repair work last year. It says on the rod.... Fenwick M048168... Also, PS120, 12', 28 oz 3-6 oz lures, 15-30 lb line It has double foot braced wire guides in 60mm, 40mm, 25mm, 20mm, 10mm and an 8mm tiptop. It's a nice old r
Forum: rodboard

Things are not quite as smooth as planned, but the move to the new facility is done. There is a small problem with the telephone connections so I am stuck with the house telephone for a few days. If you wish to contact me via telephone, please call at 208-476-3254. I expect to have the problems resolved by the end of the week. Thanks, Joe
Forum: rodboard

Yep. The sections I used to fish were in the upper reaches around Red River, NM, and its a small river. Lots of fun, some stretches with overhanging trees and brush, but plenty of open stretches of water. Beautiful country.
Forum: rodboard

We have been packing and getting ready all week. The final packing is today. The actual move will take place over the weekend. I won't have computer access at this location after I send this message. I will have telephone service. I do have computer access at the new facility already and can conduct business there after today via internet. The telephones will be switched on the 31st and th
Forum: rodboard

James, Go into your control center and un-hide your email. I'll send you some info. Joe
Forum: rodboard

Since this is a relatively new problem in what was a relatively stable location, I would still lean toward some sort of airborne contamination. I know from my old automotive refinishing days that a variety of contaminants can cause real problems with finish work. The fisheye problem can manifest in irregular shapes and certainly can cause irregularities larger than 1/8 inch depending on the sou
Forum: rodboard

It sounds to me like you have some sort of airborne contaminant in the garage, silicon maybe? It's not hard to create such a problem in a garage given the large number of different chemicals, cleaners, waxes, etc, that you find in the typical garage. It is interesting that it smoothes out on its own over time. You might look around for likely sources of contamination. Read the labels, make
Forum: rodboard

Tom, This is a very good idea. It will help the vendors tremendously to have this service on the show floor. What could be more convenient for buyers than not having to worry about gettting their items back home? Thanks, Joe
Forum: rodboard

Gary, Sorry, I carry only the Tiger Eye blanks at this time. Take a look at the Black Dog Tackle web site...(link is on the left)...to see most of what we carry. We have an overabundance of one piece, 7'6" Heavy, spin/cast blanks for anyone looking for an extra fast blank for 12-25 lb line to cast 1-6 oz lures or weight. We also have a few CND Spey rod blanks in stock which a
Forum: rodboard

We are moving to a new location! Move date is July 27th. I have less than two weeks to get everything packed and ready for the move. Anything you order from existing inventory between now and the close of business on July 26th will receive a special price discount of 20% so I don't have to pack it and move it. Whatever you order has to be in my inventory now to qualify, but I have a pre
Forum: rodboard

Our Tiger Eye blanks in 2 or 4 piece work would do nicely for this application. I use them all the time here in north Idaho.
Forum: rodboard

Ditto what Bill said. It won't harm the finished rod to put a silicon based product on after all the finish is dry. If you open the wax and use it in the shop, it will cause you problems on other rods you build. Apply the wax in another location and don't take the rod back into the shop. No silicon in the shop in any form.
Forum: rodboard

I've got stainless wire guides, braced, with industrial hard chrome plating up to size 75. My silicon carbide or aluminum oxide ring guides don't go above size 40 or 50 depending on the type.
Forum: rodboard

I just did a plum colored rod last month and used holographic guides and reel seat. I wrapped with multiple colors (gold, green, blue, red) of highly metallic thread arranged to accent the changing colors in the guides. I'm happy with it. People take it out in the sunlight and just stand there and stare at it while turning the rod to make the colors pop out. They have a lot of fun just playin
Forum: rodboard

Earl, I have a 12 rpm drying motor and several 4 rpm drying motors. I like the 4 rpm better. In my opinion, it makes a better finish if the rotation is slower. That said, I think the 2.3 rpm motor should work just fine. If you are concerned about sags, watch it closely for the first few minutes and wick away any sags. I have an old rotisserie motor in my storage room. I think I'll get it
Forum: rodboard

I usually put about a 6 inch rear handle with a big flared composite cork knob on the end; then mount the reel seat; then a foregrip of 18 to 24 inches depending on the client. If the client has big hands and long arms, the rear grip could be an inch or two longer and the foregrip as well. It needs to be comfortable for the user. Have the client (or you if it is your rod) stand with hands d
Forum: rodboard

Sorry to be late to the discussion. This is an interesting topic. I also build custom rods for specific clients to meet their fishing needs and physical requirements. Truly custom rods with a good deal of client input and specification. I tend to agree that I need the client and the client input to really build a custom rod. However.... I also build custom rods (one of a kind) for
Forum: rodboard

I'm spending time this summer insulating and finishing the inside of one of my buildings for winter work. It just gets too cold to do much in the uninsulated space. I suspect your wood stove will do a much better job of maintaining some sort of reasonably consistent temperature if you insulate the shop.
Forum: rodboard

A few of the steelhead fishing guides I have made rods for around here now prefer gold guides on the rods. Their reason is that the gold tiptop can be seen much, much better than other colors and in almost any light or weather condition. They know the sport has a fish before the sport even has a clue. It took some doing to get the first rod with gold guides out on the river. The "siss
Forum: rodboard

Buzz, Probably not the finish you are using. Probably some sort of silicon contamination. Anyone in the house (or rod shop) been using polish with a silicon additive, oil like WD-40, cooking spray, other spray oils, or least obvious of all wearing one of those colorful wrist bands everyone wears nowadays that are silicon based? It does not take much to cause fish eyes in the finish. G
Forum: rodboard

Not that I know about....but I would be happy to compile such a list and make it available through the RBI web site and the library here. Everyone send me things to include or post them here and I'll start compiling the list. It would make a good handout for customers.
Forum: rodboard

Dave, you may want to take a look at the Tiger Eye blanks we sell. They are IM6 and are moderate-fast which most find "slower" than other, newer designs. Joe
Forum: rodboard

I used single foot ceramics on my own spey rod and like them fine. My clients seem to prefer snake guides to minimize icing and weight. The spey rod fishing here is typically fall, winter and early spring for steelhead and it is often very cold and icy. My knees and fingers tend to complain too much if I go out in the very cold and icy water.
Forum: rodboard