I assume you checked the Trondak U-40 website in the sponsors list below, I see that they list a dealer in England and one in Sweden if that helps.
Forum: rodboard

John, I lived in Alaska for 20 years and fished for silvers just about every place in the state that they show up. I would suggest a Dan Craft FT 9ft 7wt 4pc, Dan has them on sale on his web site for $125.40, regular price $163.02. I would go with single foot ceramic guides. Dan can fix you up with everything you need to build the rod, he is a Baston dealer and you can visit the Ba
Forum: rodboard

That blank being a 3wt and 8'6" long is going to have a small tip. What I do with all the blanks I get is get the tip-top to fit the blank plus an additional tip-top the next size larger. That way if the person you built the rod for breaks the tip of the rod you will most likely have a tip-top to repair it with. I does happen. It is nice to have some extra guides and such on had for
Forum: rodboard

Or you stop by your local liquor store and get a bottle of Everclear. Everclear is gaining popularity as fuel for the alcohol stoves and Beverage-can stoves often used by ultralight backpackers. A lot of the hike in fishermen that walk into the High Cascades here in Oregon use it in their stoves. It is expensive compared to denatured alcohol, but many backpackers greatly value it because, unl
Forum: rodboard

I don't know what iis going on with Gudebrod?? I did a check this morning comparing some new spools and some spools that I have had for 2-3 years, various colors of A&C, NCP & plain, put some test wraps on a piece of junk blank and then looked at the wraps with a magnifier ( the kind jewlers use). Most all the wraps done with the new thread looked horrible!!, except for the 206 A NCP G
Forum: rodboard

You might check for toe rings or ear rings in jewlery section of your local stores like Wal Mart for somethng that would work.
Forum: rodboard

The search function has a bunch of posts regarding coin inlays and is a great tool, a place to look first, IMHO:
Forum: rodboard

I have built a couple fly rods using the Maniform grips, they are easy on the the hand and wrist. I got them from Anglers Workshop, a sponsor on the left. Here is the link . Bob Crook La Pine, OR
Forum: rodboard

I looked for the blue tack cloths about 3 years ago and finally found then here . Since getting them, they are washable, I use them for everything from rods to cleaning my eye glasses. I am sure they are available in retail stores in someplaces but I sort of live in the middle of no where, the only plus is that the fishing is great here ! Bob Crook La Pine, OR
Forum: rodboard

I find it is safer to set it in a bowl of hot water instead of the microwave, that way there are no dirty looks or the chance of getting hit with a frying pan. Bob Crook La Pine, OR
Forum: rodboard

I put 2 or 3 light coats of spar urethane on all my cork handles using a coffee filter. If you don't want a glossy finish after the final coat dries rub it lightly with super fine ,0000, steel wool and the shine will go away. Bob Crook La Pine, Oregon
Forum: rodboard

Bob, Sorry for the "Mr." thing but I thought that having over 1900 posts on this board dating back to 08/27/01 you deserved it. From now on will just address you as" REELMan". Back to wrapping guides. Bob Crook ( coolgranpabob) La Pine, OR
Forum: rodboard

I agree with Mr. Balcombe that using any harsh chemical, stipper, on a graphite rod could pose problems. I would seem to me that all the man hours involved in getting the paint off that it would be cheaper to buy a new blank and put the original guides and hardware on it. Why anyone wants to paint a fly rod blank anyway is beyond me. Bob Crook La Pine, OR
Forum: rodboard

I have taken the finish off a lot of older bamboo rod using "3M Safest Stripper", it is safe for indoor use, no fumes, non flamable, non toxic & no gloves required. As it is a like paste it clings to the surface it is applied to. I put on a a heavy coat and leave it on the rod for about 1 to 2 hours and then wipe the finish off using a scotchbrite pad dampened in warm soapy water,
Forum: rodboard

Check with "Utmost Enterprises" , sponsors list on the left toward the bottom. They are a Baston Outlet and great people to deal with. If anyone has them they will. Bob Crook La Pine, Oregon
Forum: rodboard

I always try to buy all my rodbuilding supplies including feathers from sponsors of this board. Siskiyou Aviary has a great selectiom of all types of feathers for the rod builder and fly tyer and the prices are very competitive and shipping of feathers is very little. So support the sponsors of Rodbuilding.org if you can because without them this site probably wouldn't be around very long.
Forum: rodboard

Andrew, I am currently building a steelhead/salmon rod using a Baston IF9012, 9ft, 2pc, 12wt. It is not finished yet so I can't tell you how far it will cast. It is rated medium fast. You can find it on the Rainshadow/Forecast (Baston) or the Utmost sites in the sponsors list on the left. Bob Crook La Pine, OR
Forum: rodboard

@#$%&. com on the left in the sponsors list has stainless steel hook keepers. Here is a link to the page on their site []
Forum: rodboard

Stan, @#$%& lists it on their site, below is the link to the thread page, scroll down to Garnet. [] Bob Crook La Pine, OR
Forum: rodboard

Be sure you put it in a glass shot glass not a shot glass size plastic cup, there are some plastics the Permagloss will eat up and you will end up with a mess. Just pour out a little more than what you think you will need and if you have add a little so be it. Like Bob and Stan said it thickens fast. One other thing if there is a little left in the glass I never try to pour it back in the the
Forum: rodboard

Get Tom Kirkman's book , " Rod Building Guide" it covers the building of all types of rods and is available from Mud Hole Tackle and probably a number of the other sponsors on the left. Also if you are new to rodbuilding I would suggest a subscription to RodMaker Magazine also on the left toward the bottom it is a awesome magazine. Also you can use the search function on this boar
Forum: rodboard

My wife used to make candles before she passed away and she got it from: She bought it in 5 lb bags and ordered it from this place in Seattle and added it to the wax.
Forum: rodboard

I have a Dan Craft FT 7wt 4pc 9ft that I have used for large trout/steelhead and salmon for the last 3 years, great rod and I would highly recommend an FT. The reel I use with it is a Redington RS2 7/8. The older Redington reels are getting harder and harder to find but you might check on @#$%& or just do a search for Redington RS2 reels if you are interested. Bob Crook La Pine, O
Forum: rodboard

Stan & Putter, If you two convince Mark to put a Bobcat decal on the rod you better also get him a OreDiggers decal, GoDiggers!!!!, Montana School of Mines (AKA Montana Tech). Bob An Digger Alumni
Forum: rodboard

Mark, Here is a picture of the cheer leaders, maroon & white. Don't know if it will help or not. Bob
Forum: rodboard

Being an displaced old Montana guy IMHO 337 is as close to the UM maroon as you can get. You might also consider using 002 white for the trim bands. I built a fly rod for an old freind in Missoula a couple of years ago using the 337 and 002 and he really liked it. Try both the maroon, gray & white on a scrap blank and see what looks good. Bob Crook
Forum: rodboard

Larry, You might want to look at the Baston Salmon/Steelhead Hot Shot blanks, They are rated Xtr- Fast. You can buy them from Utmost Enterprises, a sponsor on the left toward the bottom of the list without being a dealer. Bob Crook La Pine, Oregon
Forum: rodboard

Ked, Sent you an email.
Forum: rodboard

Very interesting article by Bill Stevens in the latest issue regarding "Threadless Guide Wraps" . As always this Rodmaker is another gem with lot's of good stuff and awesome pictures. Bob La Pine, Oregon
Forum: rodboard

I use the brown coffee filters to apply both Permagloss and Spar urethane to both bamboo and graphite rods. Works great but try to do it in as close to a dust free environment as possible. If you can't stand the smell of Permagloss spar urethane will work but not be as hard as Permagloss, see Ralph O'Qinns article" Refinishing Rod Blanks" in the library above. Bob La Pine, Or
Forum: rodboard