Roger, I am now doing what you suggestet to prevent "flyiny finish". I am using my wrapper. Whitout going into alot of coating engineering/phisics the higher rpm gives beteer leveling. Prior to turning up the speed remove excess finish with a Make Barkley "doctor knife" (aka a piece os old crieditt card cut to 0.5 inches wide). There is one constilation prize to this-
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Paul, There is no "optimum" speed. It depends on the amount of finish and the viscosity of the finish. You get better leveling at the higher rpm but you may have finish flying everywhere if you get it to high. (Profit my my mistakes-I once ran one at 200 rpm. Had finish flying everywhere. Wonderful thin finish but needed another coat or two.) Personally, I like to run mine f
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If you make the belt in a figure "8" it will turn in the other direction. You may want to get a slighty larger "O" ring. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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A "trick" Mike Barkley taught me is to drill a hole the size (I want to say it was 3/32") of the syringe tip in caps for the epoxy. Insert the syringe tips in each of the two bottlesthen attch the caps. You will never need to change syringes again! Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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I don't think you let it thicken long enough. One of the mistakes I made early on was to try to mix the colors before they were really thick. If you let them get too thick, add heat in moderation. Also Mike is right about the Taps colors. I think they are the best! Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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I-40 Update. Tonight WLOS-TV Asheville reported that it would be late March before I-40 at the TN/NC state line would reopen. If you are coming to HP via I-40 from TN-suggest you take I-40 to I-81 (to Johnson City, TN) to I-26 back to I-40 at Asheville and proceed on I-40 east to Winston-Salem, NC. It would be nice if this changed. Will keep this site posted. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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Jay, If we are "lucky" they "might" have two lanes open by the time of the Expo. This slide has caused alot of confusion here in Western NC. I am going to Dayton, Ohio this weekend and am going via Cumberland Gap and Corbin, KY. I should know the latest by the time of the Expo. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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I have used the Batson IP 840 on about a dozen rods. I have also built a few on the St. Croix 3S70ULF. All were on the new Concept system. I like both of these. IMO it depends on which one you can get for the lowest price. Personally, I use both these blanks trout fishing. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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I use Dry Wall screen on a board then smooth it up with 220 grit sandpaper. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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Don't use Permagloss on decals. I learned the hard way-Ruined a decal! The problem is the solvent-xylene. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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I got mine last week. Only problem was pages 35 & 36 were before page 7. No harm done just rearrange the pages. I guess this is the price I pay to get my issues via High Speed (Point) Tortise. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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Rusty, Your email address is hidden! I have worked with Tulipwood, Cocabolo, and Mesquite. I have turned Bacote reel seats. Email me and let me know what you have on hand. I have turn quite a few butt caps. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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I just got a bakers dozen from Riley Rods (Sponsor on left) They looked pretty good but they are round. Seem to be easy to work up. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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Marty, I've built alot of rods on that format. For most of them I have used a 20-16-10-8-7-6-6or smaller on 7-7.5 ft ultralight rods. I am preparing to build a 7.5 ft spinning rod going down to 4mm guides. I expect to eliminate either ther 8 or 7 and one of the 6's. Basically I agree with what Mark Griffin and Tom have said. After what I heard in High Point, micro with 4-6 lb line, is t
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I have built several on the Batson IP840. I also like the SC III 3S70ULF. I personally use both for trout. I did catch a 4lb 10oz bass on an IP 840(4lb line-I got a picture to prove it). Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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Bob, Hunter is the Treasuer of Custom Tackle and Supply. It was a pleasure to talk to him about that rod he built with micros. He may be 17 years old, but he knows what he is talking about once you get him going. (And away from his Father) Not only is is he turning out to be a rodbuilder, he his a gentleman and fine business partner. I know you and your wife are proud of his accomplishme
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If Clyde is coming up the Duck River in TN, he will be frozen solid on the Pigeon River between Waterville, TN and Harmon Den, NC. All those coming via I-40 toward High Point that see a frozen gator should stop and cut off the tail so that we can all enjoy fried gator tail Friday night at the Rodmaker Magizine get together. I am bring by turkey fryer to fry up Clyde's tail. If you have never
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Will you have them at the ICRBE Show next week? Ed Smith
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I like the St. Croix 3S70ULF and the Batson IP 840. I have built both for myself and like them both. The SC maybe slightly lighter. Ed Smith
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I would not advise using acrylics with epoxy! I have nothing but bad experiences with them. You can use the acrylics with the "Swifty" finish if you can find someone that still has it. (At last report Mark and Colleen Griffin at @#$%&-sponsor-still had some.) I like the TAP's pigments best but Testors and Liquid Leaf in gold and silver are also good. I use a toothpick or thread pic
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I have had a similar problem but it was with thread from a "questionable" source. I don't even know where it came from-Got it on @#$%&. Never had that problem with thread from documented sources. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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Has anyone had any experience building and/or fishing with a 7.5 ft SC III 3S76MLFK walleye rod. I am thinking about building one with microguides. Does it have light enough tip to be sensitive? Please email me. Thanks, Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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I addition to what Billy said, Docski has an excellant DVD. It is avaliable from Acid Rods and several other sponsors. Ed Smith
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I heard some dawgs got Tiger Tail sausage several weeks ago in Baton Rogue. When I saw the headlines about two dead I just hoped that Bill had not died. The elephants may have had fried gatortail thanks to Clyde. Don't expect to see tailless Clyde in High Point. I heard about some roadkill bulldogs all over I-85 near Opelika, Alabama. Looks like it is open season on bulldogs in Alabama this
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Buzz (and Karry), I am a great fan of the Batson IP840. This rod may lack the "backbone" you desire but I find this rod to be very sensitive. I fish it with 4lb test all the time. There is also a SC III that is similar and I can get at about the same price. I forgot the exact number but it has similar chacteristics. IMO a sensitve rod is more forgiving than one with a lot of bac
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Do not put Permagloss anywhere near a decal! The xylene solvent in Permagloss will permeate CP, finish, etc. I learned the hard way-ruined a decal. Ed Smith
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If you want that type of finish you can use Permagloss. (or put the super glue in xylene). It is easier to apply a thin durable finish. Basically Permagloss is superglue in xylene. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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If you want a very thin coat use Permagloss. IMO it is an excellant undercoat that helps bring out the thread color and can be overcoated with most types of finish. My stard proceedure is CP, Permagloss, then finish. Ed Smith Flat Rock, NC
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Tom, One thing that has come to my mind is that High Point is served by Amtrak. I don't know how long it takes to come from NYC, but it is an option for Billy V and his Nerbs. Let us not let another strom cause problems. I did not get to JP's get together but he deserves a good spot!! I have heard there is a new group called the SERBS (Southeast Rod Builders Society) which will stage a C
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Bill is exactly right. Ask him about his reaction. You get sensitized to these chemicals, the reactions are not pleasant!!! Bill , are you able to work with epoxy yet? Ed Smith
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