Min-Wax makes a water based clear that will work on thread. You can get it at any hardware store or big box store.
Forum: rodboard

Russ, just the other day I picked up some camo parachute cord to try as a filler on a split grip. Haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it should work. Maybe do a cork underlay and wrap with cord to the diameter you want like Emory did in the recent RodMaker article?
Forum: rodboard

I have a nice 7'6" one-piece blank that will handle 1-6 oz easily. You may wish to take a look at it.
Forum: rodboard

Yes. Steelhead casting rods in the 9'-11' range are common for bank fishermen around here (north central Idaho). Many like them even longer depending on which river and which holes they fish. Most of the steelhead rods I have built lately have been at least 10' long. Most boat fishermen tend to prefer 8'6"-9' rods simply because they are easier to manipulate in the boat..
Forum: rodboard

I use single foot stripper guides all the time with no problems. I have even put a single foot, size 20, on a 13'6" spey rod as the stripper guide...no problems. I will use a double foot guide if the client specifies it. I also use a line tamer guide on every fly rod. I like them and so do my cleints. The blank doesn't know what type of rod it was sold to be, and the line only knows
Forum: rodboard

Sorry to be late to the discussion. I've been out with the flu for a few days. Try to avoid the flu this year if you can, it is not pleasant. Yes, I had a flu shot and I still got it. I did start and now operate a new rod builders organization at the beginning of this calendar year. It is called Rod Builders International (RBI) and can be reached through the sponsor's link on the left.
Forum: rodboard

Say no thank you and walk away from this guy. There are clients you want to cultivate for a long term relationship and there are customers you don't want at any price. This one sounds like the latter type....dump him early and save yourself the grief down the road. It is much easier to simply say no thanks than it is to sever a business relationship you have allowed to go down the wrong pat
Forum: rodboard

Another option is to use this technique. If you are willing to invest a little time and elbow grease the varnish on a bamboo rod around the signature area can be "brought back to life" by using steel wool and ultra-fine compound. Here's how: 1. Go to pretty much any antique store or furniture refinishing outfit and buy a bottle of ultra-fine (or extra-fine) furniture compound. Th
Forum: rodboard

I've used just about every color you can imagine on these balnks and they all look good. I even did a pink and blue wrap for a ladies fly fishing club rod that I thought was going to be terrible but it turned out nice. Who knew? Almost any brown, red, gold, silver, twist, green, yellow, orange, black and apparently pink will work well. Most color combinations work well also.
Forum: rodboard

Exactly, the ads are aimed at potential clients and getting them to the web site; but, they should also attract the occasional rod builder and potential rod builders and get them to the web site. The web site (if it ever gets done) targets the clients first and rod builders second. The bulk of the home page is aimed at clients.
Forum: rodboard

Mike, We are really trying to get the attention of both groups. We want to attract potential clients and provide some information about custom built rods; but, we also want to attract rod builders and recruit new members to RBI. I am therefore curious with regard to what type of ad attracts which group of individuals; clients or rod builders. It may be they work on both groups. It may be t
Forum: rodboard

Yep. Tom guessed it. The bamboo shafted line came from the ad guy who doesn't build rods. The tiny text will not be in the final ads...just too busy and hard to read. Rich is correct, all we want to do is get their attention and drive them to the web site. The final text on 2D will also change to reflect a little more rod building knowledge. I think the concept works and is humorous bu
Forum: rodboard

Those who are interested may want to look at the preview copy for two series of magazine advertisements we have developed at RBI. These were on display at the ICRBE show, but not everyone was able to attend the show. In addition to the two series of ads, we have a fairly long list of magazines that have responded to our requests for media kits. We are selecting the magazines that: 1) we can
Forum: rodboard

I'll give people the benefit of the doubt. Anyone who would lie about two reel seats would probably lie about something that is actually important as well. We might want to know who that is so we can avoid him in the future.
Forum: rodboard

The potential for webinars and other specialized presentations exists within the new learning environment used by RBI. The cost of an actual webinar is substantial so the demand would have to be high. Specific topics incorporated into specific classes is a much more affordable and easily handled process. As the regular classes are being designed and developed, it would be useful for all of th
Forum: rodboard

As we unpacked from the show we found the bag that was left in our booth by someone. We announced this at the show but you were probably already gone by the time we found it. If it is yours let me know and I'll mail it to you. The bag contains a plastic Donartrods caliper and two woven graphite reel seats (Pac Bay size 18) with cushioned hoods. Send me an email with your address. Joe
Forum: rodboard

We finally got home and are getting caught up a bit. Arriving at midnight to find the battery on your car is dead is not the best way to end a week long trip, but it does add a little excitement to an otherwise boring airplane ride. We wound up spending an extra night in a motel near the airport and didn't get home until late last night. We would like to thank everyone for their support and
Forum: rodboard

As of 4:30 this morning the link to the web site goes to the right place. This will get you to the right spot. It does not look like the secure site feature is active yet so DO NOT submit the forms or send any credit card data now. Wait a day or two until this is working for sure. There is enough if the site for you to give us comments...and for you to get an idea of what we are doing
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the support. It occured to me that the RBI advertisment is also displayed on my other web site at blackdogtackle.com Those who want to look at the ad can see it there. The webmaster is frantically trying to fulfill the promises I made. it keeps her on her toes. Thanks, Joe
Forum: rodboard

OK...I got to the hotel for tonight. Tomorrow will be all airplanes and waiting. I see that the site is still not responding properly. I will check again with the folks back home who are doing the work. Sorry for the false start. I just wanted you to see this before I left town and probably jumped the gun a little. It will be available soon...any minute now? Now that I have a few mi
Forum: rodboard

It looks like you may need to give them a little more time to get things active. I've alerted them to the need to hurry. The link now goes to an older test site that has been replaced. As soon as they get it fixed, you will be able to see the latest site. Thanks for trying again later and being patient. It's probably my fault for trying to get too much done before I have to leave...whi
Forum: rodboard

Note: I tried the link and it's not going to the right place yet. Give them a bit more time. Thanks, Joe Just as we are leaving town to find our way to High Point, it looks like the RBI web site is almost done. Some time this morning it will go live. Look for it at The final touches on the credit card processing may or may not be working this morning. The forms to complete and t
Forum: rodboard

Hello all, We will be leaving on Wednesday morning to attend the ICRBE show and we will be returning next Tuesday morning to the office. During our absence orders placed with Black Dog Tackle will not be shipped. You may continue to place orders through the web site, but we won't have anyone here to fill the orders until we return on the 21st. When we return, we will immediately fill all o
Forum: rodboard

Billy, or someone from the NERB group, can you give me any insight on the popularity of spey blanks in the northeast? Recently, the North American distributor of CND rods began to import their blanks as well. I have added CND spey blanks to my product line and the distributor indicates to me that there is a pretty good following for the CND rods in the NE. I plan to bring CND blanks with me
Forum: rodboard

RBI has no objection to an annual event or to participating in other outdoor related shows. I basically agree with everything above. I must confess that, at this time, I have not spent much time thinking about it as I seem to have all I can handle getting ready for the ICRBE show. Once that is history, I'll be ready to consider all other options. Of course, we'll grow only as quickly an
Forum: rodboard

I use thin tape on the guide foot. I also use a rolled up piece of masking tape...rolled with the sticky side out. about 3/16 of an inch in diameter that I slide up behind the guide foot like a wheel chock to keep things from moving when I take the tape off. You can use it for a couple of rods and then make a new one.
Forum: rodboard

Most of the things I have read indicate the snake guides with a right to left twist are the "English" version and were the first version of snake guides. The left to right twist is the "American" version and came about sometime in the early 20th century. I know early greenheart, lancewood and bamboo rod builders on both sides of the pond used the English version into the ear
Forum: rodboard

Chris, 1) yes, wrapping the ferrule right up to the edge on the female side will help prevent splits occuring as the rod is flexed and pressure is applied. 2) I use ferrule wraps on every rod I build that has ferrules to avoid problems down the road. On long, multi-piece rods like Spey rods or, I assume, surf rods the ferrule wrap can be used as a good spot for alignment dots or feathe
Forum: rodboard

You can find some with a composite ring on the butt end. Try the vendors at the left. I make my own using burl and composite rings on both ends and as trim rings.
Forum: rodboard

Paul, Tom is the better one to answer this question, but I'll try. The excise tax is computed as described above by Tom. As I understand it, the excise taxes paid by component suppliers, importers and manufacturers (where applicable) cover the taxes applied only to the components themselves. When you, as a rod builder, construct a fishing rod from those components that fishing rod is co
Forum: rodboard