I've not tried this, but I think it will work. Biggest problem is probably to place the kerf of the saw accurately enough to get both halves the same. FIRMLY tape the rings together into a length long enough to hold firmly against the miter gage of a table saw and carefully run the last ring through the saw very slowly. Maybe mounting on a 1/4 dowel plus the tape will help keep their axes para
Forum: rodboard

Congratulations, Kevin and Mom. Appreciate her every minute, she will be a young adult before you know it.
Forum: rodboard

Since I have had trouble with CP when too much was left on the threads I now put it on, wait a few minutes, then blot it to remove excess. Then rotating is not necessary. I use two coats done this way.
Forum: rodboard

If you buy 8 it will likely be on the shelf for years, inevitably darkening a little with every year. I'd stick with the two oz.
Forum: rodboard

I've built with the Batson recipe and have had no trouble. I would use single foot on a 5 weight. Alps guides (and Amtak, I think) are made with 316 stainles steel, which is a better choice for corrosion resistance. I like the Alps PVDTiCh finish, but that is personal preference only. Both Batson and REC make some really beautiful reel seats, as does Amtak. Be sure to note the recommended ro
Forum: rodboard

For a newbie working with these arbors, Terry has it right. Material is removed very fast. Another way to enlarge the hole in these is to use regular drill bits in your hands. Find the next larger drill bit from the existing hole and carefully work it through the bore. Then the next, then the next, until you get the size you want. This isn't a good "production" method, but works fi
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Jim. I appreciate your comments. What I've done is use the "5 steps to a KL build" or whatever you called a posting about 6 months ago that uses the table edge method with KL's. The rod worked out to have only two reduction guides plus the KLH 5 and it works fine. In fact to get rods that will fit into boat installed rod tubes, max height of the stripper at about two inches
Forum: rodboard

Jim, in light of your comments above, please check the GPS results for the two Shimano Stradic 4000 models shown at your GPS site and interpret the suggested guide lineup for me. If I'm interpreting it correctly the first guide in the 19-22 in. range are very small guides, like 8 mm. Does this represent flawed measurement data? The Sustain 4000 suggests a 12 at 19.7 inches, still pretty small.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Jim for the "extra help" on using GPS, much appreciated. Having test guides is obviously the best way to go, but for us hobby builders who build only a few rods a year, also considering the fact that guides are changing so fast that our test guides may soon be obsolete, make that approach impractical. Having a confident way of knowing what to order is very valuable to us.
Forum: rodboard

I was certainly surprised today when I compared the weight of an EVA butt knob with a same size knob made from exotic cork and found the EVA about 1/3 the weight of the cork. I'm still a little concerned about the long term life of EVA based on experience with a no-name "soft black foam" grip from way back in my past, but even if it failed it would be easy to replace. I did it in whit
Forum: rodboard

I think the diameter is more important than the length. I just finished a grip for a 4 weight and made it a little larger in diameter than normal, and it really feels good. I suggest modeling up a grip in a slightly larger diameter. Agree with full wells, suggest reconsidering 2 piece in favor of 4 for a much handier travel experience at no or little discernible difference in feel.
Forum: rodboard

OK guys, got it done. I cut the recess before doing the wet layup of the carbon fiber fabric, did the wet layup tying the fabric with a cabler tie, and everything was fine. Then I cut the fabric, and cut it short, so I couldn't tuck it into the recess or glue it to the face of the rear of the grip. OOPS! Then I carefully cut it again at the outer diameter of the grip so I had a clean face of t
Forum: rodboard

Right Randolph, how'd I get that wrong? But another comment on the right subject this time, if I use the compliant, rubber/plastic winding checks, I fully encapsulate them in epoxy. They sort of disappear, and I never have winding checks that are split by ozone exposure or whatever causes some factory rods to have split checks after a few years. Even the top brands made right here in the good
Forum: rodboard

You can also use air pressure to move the epoxy inside the seat. Obviously, stop when you see any coming out and quickly clean it off with alcohol.
Forum: rodboard

If you are building a rod for really aggressive fish, like bonefish, you may want to reconsider putting anything on the blank that could snag the line. After fishing for them and seeing how fast stuff happens, I won't put a keeper on a fly rod. The frame of the first guide is fine for a keeper.
Forum: rodboard

Mike knows what he is talking about, go with him. Web site has the process instructions and all materials are available there.
Forum: rodboard

Go to the web site of Riley Rods in the sponsor list on the left and you will find links to their process. I am in the middle of my second project and have found it easier than expected, results of the first were very good, and will be doing many more. The materials are available from Riley, and they are a good company to work with.
Forum: rodboard

Keeping what Laurent said in mind, theoretically, the rod doesn't set the guide sizes, the reel and line/knots do. With an ultralight I expect you are going to use a small reel with light line, so you can cheat down on size on the reduction guides. I would check out the guide placment software on the Fuji site and see what you come up with there. But with the stated expectations of mine about
Forum: rodboard

Agree, Chuck, but different colors send different "messages." Good looking rods.
Forum: rodboard

Agree with John, although I would use a knife only on the major ones, then use fine sandpaper on the rest. Inspect carefully before refinishing. I think you can salvage the job without taking the finish off and rewinding. Keep in mind that for such a major redo, it is likely that it will not come out perfectly, so the John Powell method, in my opinion, has a higher probability of yielding a go
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Don, but I have a dumb phone:-) Will check the site. thanks, Mick
Forum: rodboard

Phil, this is a pretty good image: Note it is glossy.
Forum: rodboard

Sorry Phil, I cannot find the colors of their blanks on their site. If you have a hard copy catalog of theirs, even one that's a few years old, you should see it in there. It is a slightly metallic silver grey, sort of a metallic medium grey. As stated above, it is very close to the color of titanium guides and medium grey thread without CP.
Forum: rodboard

Phil, "titanium chrome" is what the finish on the RX 8 Rainshadow blanks is called. Look on their site at their blanks and you'll see it.
Forum: rodboard

Sharp, Eric. Russell, the Gudbrod garnet, and probably Pro Wrap merlot,too, gives a rich sweet cherry color when CP is not used. It is beautiful on the titanium chrome blank. Mark, I'll take a look at the jade-I used it on a grey blank with natural abalone, black guides, and it came off well. Your maroon suggestion is most likely a lot like the garnet, which I'm sure would be good. Russell,
Forum: rodboard

I have a color wheel, I've visited the color designer sites, I've done many rods with matching or "stealth" wraps, my daughter in law is an interior designer who I consult when in doubt, most of my titanium chrome rods have been done with garnet without CP, with silver metallic trim, which is a very beautiful, rich, combination. Next most common wrap I've used with this blank is medium
Forum: rodboard

Anyone have any pics to share of Rainshadow titanium chrome blanks with shades of green thread? Or recommendatons for green based wraps? I've done a lot of them using reds, looking for something different. Prefer classy to flashy.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks. for all the great ideas! I especially like the last one, . . . if I only had a lathe.
Forum: rodboard

Anyone have any tips on how to get the circular reel seat recess into a carbon fiber fly rod seat? My best idea so far is to machine it in before installing the carbon fiber, bring the carbon fiber together outside the recess, stuff it into the recess, but put epoxy only on the first 1/8 inch or so over the edge (1/8 or so toward the center), then cut out the fabric carefully and finish? Be
Forum: rodboard

With a drill press, imbed a 3/8 ID ball bearing into a board for a stabilizer (clamp the board to the drill press bed), chuck the rod into the drill press, and sand with very coarse sandpaper to start with. This is a very stable system that I've used for years on cork and polyurethane foam.
Forum: rodboard