Scott, I have a 36 X24 inch block that I purchased for making duck decoys and have since began using for all my grips as the only or main component of my grips. My personal opinion is it will hold up very well, but I have only been building for 1year+. I do have some duck decoys that have spent months at a time banging around in the Mississippi River and they have held up. good luck Steve
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Thanks Bob Steve
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thanks again steve
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Thanks steve
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I have a couple of questions regarding use of hobby foam in grips. Will rod bond work for gluing hobby foam to cork? Will hobby foam hold up OK? My grandson wants an Iowa Hawkeye rod. I was going to use pieces of gold and black hobby foam glued together for accent rings. I was not sure if this would affect the integrity of the cork grip? Thanks steve
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Shipping cost is my best excuse for buying more stuff, at least that's what I tell my wife when she gets the credit card bill. Honey, I only needed some thread and a guide or 2, but to even out the shipping charges I just went ahead and picked up a few more things. Then she yells; $400 more things!!!...time to slither back out to the garage.
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Dave, trying e-mailing you but it never worked. steve
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Will, You have opened up a hot topic. Some use and some don't. A search will bring up tons of info. Check out Solway Custom Components, a sponsor on the left side. Then check out his Blog sight. He has an interesting blog regarding CP. He is currently using a fly rod that has nothing more than CP on the guides. He has used for over 2 years. steve
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Sorry fro not replying. I guess I must of thought this to be dead. Rainshadow ISB 822.5 blank Flex coat high build I do spread out on foil The bubble come from the tunnel. it was not in the finish. I still have trouble with this. I just keep an eye out for the bubble to form and then pop with a pen and then usually if i catch in time it will fill back in. I don't use CP. I may be applyi
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Just starting my second year of rod building. I had the same problem as you. This is what I was doing wrong. 1. working to slow...finish was setting up before I had all guides covered. 2. applying too much finish and not removing the excess. 3. trying to apply on the rod dryer while it was turning....some can, but I can't 4. did not have rod level while applying or drying. 5. finish not mixe
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This comprises 46 complete rod kits based on state of the art blanks, Portuguese cork handles and high quality reel seats, guides & tops. from mudhole WS..so I would say yes steve
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I still have a lot to learn and get a little confused when we start talking about sensitivity. I have built on both the 822.5 and the Ip843. I used the 822 for vertical jigging and the 843 for pulling cranks and 3-way rigs, all for walleyes. A fast action blank will result in a rod that will give the fisherman a better visual indication of the fish's bite but it will not be as good as a ro
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I also used the AERO Comfort Reel Seat. Its great and really comfortable in cold weather. I would like to to see Jays photos too. I used a 1000 series spinning reel spooled with 6lb Crystal Fireline. Our fishing is not fancy, just straight up and down. steve
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For feeling the slightest tick of a walleye biting, which is better, ISB 822.5 or IP843? The 822.5 has an Xfast tip with medium power and the IP843 is MF with medium power. Both have similar lure and line ratings. If I am understanding Emery correctly the IP843 would be more sensitive?? Thank you Steve
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All of our fishing was vertical jigging in heavy current. We were fishing the tail waters on the Mississippi. Very good for feeling the slightest tick of the walleye. I am sorry I never used for anything else....shoulders shot so can't cast anyway! Steve
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Sam D....I believe he sold custom rods in Hooterville steve
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Per Bill's suggestion, my friends and I used the ISB822.5 last fall fishing for river walleyes and were very pleased with it. If I can talk my wife into it the XSB may be my next build. Steve
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I would also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Almost one year ago my addiction to this great hobby began and it continues on. Many Many thanks to everyone who contributes to this board. The unselfishness and sharing of knowledge is unbelievalbe. Steve
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Thanks guys, I can answer the nail polish idea. That is what I tried and it started eating into the finish. I cleaned with alcohol very quickly and after it dried re-coated. I suppose it depends on what is in the nail polish or how well the finish has cured. This had cured for about 30 hrs. Steve
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Jay, I never thought of trying to mash it together. It was a little bigger than the end of a needle. I tried something else that made it worse so I put another coat on. Thanks. Steve
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Are there any simple tricks or fixes for a pin sized micro bubble near the top of the guide tunnel other than another coat of finish? This one slipped by me until the finish was dry. Steve
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Thanks Dave for replying...I was on the right track. I was using a dowel but not stacking em...My saw is an old craftsman and the blade wants to twist and it seems the cork ring will give a little on the dowel just as the cut is almost complete and I end up with a lopsided ring. I have the mudhole jig ordered so my problem should be solved. steve
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I am a newbie..this is where I purchased my lathe...variable speed with an extension. I really like the variable speed. One reason is safety as mentioned above. Start out slow and then speed up. steve []
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Thanks for your input Mark and I hope my new jig is ok. steve
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Good illustrations Mike. Is that PVC pipe you are using as a clamp ring? Steve
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Thanks everyone. Mudhole just received another order. Steve
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Billy, How do you hold your rings when using the band saw? Steve
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Does anyone have any tips or tricks for cutting different thicknesses of cork or wood rings? I have tried using my band saw, but cannot get a good straight cut. I have seen very nice thin accent rings on the photo page. Steve
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Sorry, my friend discarded all of his old fishing rod parts a few years. steve
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Jay, I used to own and fish with a UNI Spin back in the early 70s. Back then that rod was quite an investment for me. One family I ran around with used nothing but the Uni Spins. I'll see if they have any parts laying around. I don't recall any with metal ferrules though and I know mine was red. Steve
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