No, but I feel certain they'll still be lighter. It's the ceramic ring that contributes most of the weight in these guides. ..............
Forum: rodboard

Not necessarily. If you want to throw it out, what are you going to replace it with? It's been arrived at by taking measurements from over 100 rods optimized by trial and error for the best performance with a wide variety of reels and lines. But this doesn't mean you can't do something different. It's not a rule - it's a component of the New Guide Concept as I've arrived at it over many year
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No, not at all. I doubt they're even remotely as hard or smooth as an SIC insert. The practical question in this situation is, are they hard and slick enough to work well and for many seasons on a fly rod. I believe the answer to that question is, yes. .............
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A lathe is a lathe, so even with a metal lathe you can remove the machine tool post and replace it with a standard wood turning tool post. Some metal lathes offer such an attachment for times when you want to use it as a wood lathe. As I said, the only real downside is that the metal lathe has more "pieces" involved and dust and debris gets into more crevices, openings, oiled parts, et
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These are the actual measurements of the ID opening of the single foot fly type Minima 4 guides that I have: #10 = 9mm #8 = 7mm #7 = 6mm #6 = 5mm #5 = 4mm #4 = 3mm They appear to be sized by measuring the frame opening, as most ceramics and all non-insert guides are measured. The hardened insert is about .5mm thick thus reduces the actual frame opening by 1mm. ........
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Good question. The ones I have were special ordered. But any Pacific Bay dealer should be able to do this for you. As they are still fairly new, there are still unanswered questions about them. But their appearance and construction leads me to believe that for some purposes, these could be an exceptional guide. ...........
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If that's the case, then it's just a matter of finding a blank that has the power you need for the fish you're after. I have used Back Bouncing blanks for blue water fly rods. Multi-piece Hot Shot rods can do a good job here as well. Generally, these short "fly rods" are used close in after fish have been teased up near the boat where a short cast is sufficient. If you still want
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My thermometer isn't busted nor is this just idle talk. I've weighed them - they weigh about 20% to 25% less than comparable ceramic guides and due to the larger ring opening (no ceramic insert in the frame) you can use a guide that's 1 or 2 sizes smaller and still maintain the same size ring opening. This results in additional weight savings. Yes you should be using them for performance enhancem
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If you know of something that does, in fact, stay perfectly clear. please advise. There would be plenty of guys that would like to know about it. PermaGloss stays perfectly clear, but it doesn't provide the same look as epoxy. ................
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RodMaker, Volume 10 #5 has the plans, illustrations, parts, and other details for making a full length foot control for any lathe. It was part of the series we did on the Mobile Rod Building Station. ..................
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Yes, it's easy to do. Is he interested in casting long distances or mostly plans to use the rod for fighting large fish? ...............
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I knew it was tongue in cheek - so was my response. There is some chance that not all 250 CDs will be sold. CDs don't really sell that well. I figure this run will take care of whoever wants one for the next year anyway. Ralph O'Quinn is the man to write such a treatise on all aspects of repair - and he's worked with most of the components you mention. But he's involved with some other thing
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For cork? No, in fact, the additional "pieces" involved are more apt to get clogged with cork chips and dust and require more time spent on cleaning and maintaining the lathe than if you had just bought the more simple wood lathe. ...............
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You can shim the butt to the rod blank several ways. Drywall tape and epoxy is one way. American Tackle actually offers an EVA grip you mount to the blank, which then fits the butt perfectly. That's a very quick way to go about it. ..............
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The ceramics I have used over the last 25 years have not weighed any more than snake guides with double wraps would have. However - take a hard look at the Pacific Bay Minima 4 fly rod guides. The weight of single foot wire guides, the cost of snakes and the longevity of most ceramics when used with fly lines. ...................
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Dennis, Because I only have 10 to give out. I know who the first 10 will be. I have no way of knowing who the last 10 will be. .............. Matthew, I had 250 made. Once these are gone the interest will be slight and sales slow. In other words, I may not be able to justify another run of 250. Whether I do any more or not depends on how quickly these go. I expect 250 will last a co
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If you are making the gaff, yes. If you are modifying an existing gaff, no. ...............
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I received 2 orders today, in person. I suspect what comes in tomorrow by mail will exhaust the supply. I'll take whatever is there, put them in a box, and pull out another 8. Those will get the tiptop gauges. Wish I had more - these were all I had. ..............
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You'd have to send me the details by email - I have no way to process it online until we add the CD to the website which may be some time. This is why I specified check or MO. If you feel good about sending credit card details via email (still safer than by phone) go ahead. ...........
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Yes, RodMaker Magazine. If that link won't open the article, just go to the online library here and find the article on how to eliminate broken rods. ...............
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Yes, but no such finish epoxy exists. The epoxies we use in rod building contain amine hardeners which all discolor due to age and heat. There are many other things that can cause of colors and terrible yellowing or even browning of the epoxy, but even in the most perfect state, the nature of these beasts results in some ambering of the hardener (or finish) over time. ................
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Right, if you select the blank and build the rod solely to limit breakage, it may no longer function well for the task it's intended for. ...............
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Several companies make blanks for Cabelas. In general their blanks are good and have a lot of loyal fans. ............
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Here's some information to get you started: Both Lamiglas and Seeker build these type rods. You might talk to Don Becker at Don's Tackle (link to the left) as he is well versed in this type fishing. ..............
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The product hasn't changed and there is nothing wrong with hardener that has ambered - it is going to amber in the bottle and it is going to amber on the rod. Either way, it's going to turn slightly darker. This is true even if it's clear when you mix and apply it to the rod. The hardeners in most epoxies are going to turn slightly amber within just a matter of a few weeks so if you plan to k
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I think it will be very helpful to a great many people and spares them from having to buy a dozen individual back issues. .................
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No, it's a CD. No video or audio. The information is presented in article format, with photos and illustrations. Some of the articles are from past issues of RodMaker, a few are entirely new. It will require a computer (Mac, Windows, etc.) for viewing. It will not "play" on your DVD player. But it does not require any special software. As long as your machine has the ability to op
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I prefer print editions as well, but the upfront cost of about $10,000 (minimum) is just too much to handle. Thus, we'll do it on CD. ........... I was reminded that I failed to list the address: RodMaker PO Box 1322 High Point, NC 27261 ............ You can look far and wide and you will not find this much nor this type information anywhere, including all the Clemens books comb
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I have decided to release the RodMaker Special Edition on Guide Sizing and Placement on CD. The run will be limited to 250 copies. They are $29.95 each, postpaid (no extra shipping charge). The first 10 to order will receive a free Fuji tiptop sizing gauge. Check or money order to RodMaker, PO Box 1322, High Point, NC 27261. At some point they will be available on the RodMaker Magazine w
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Again, recommending a line without stating the general casting range involved isn't really providing any information. If you find the rod works well with a 5-weight line at 50 to 80 feet and the guy is planning on using his rod at 20 to 40 feet, he is going to be disappointed when puts a 5-weight line on it. ................
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