Sid, I have built using 9 and 12 foot MHX crappie blanks and I know what you are saying about "feeling heavy". I would be looking at a light or medium light steelhead blank. I would be looking at St Croix 5SC90MLF2-G or 3SC90MLF2. I would also look at carbon fiber for the handle. I no longer use anything but Carbon Fiber. Also, I would be using single foot fly guides for runn
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Has anyone used any of these blanks? Kind of pricey for panfish fish but, I like the idea of 7'1" or 7'7" extra fast. Guides? Thinking of using single foot fly guides, treating like an ice fishing rod. Going to use Tennessee carbon fiber handle. Any feedback would be great.
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I am building a travel rod for sailfish, dorado, that type of thing. Doing an under wrap with silver metallic under wrap. Not sure if I am going to use Metallic blue or color fast blue over the top. Would you you use a Cp or an epoxy on the under wrap before wrapping the guides? Thanks, Doug
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I want to alter the tip of a rod blank to make it very fast, extremely soft tip. Going to start with solid glass and carbon ice fishing blanks. Anybody have any ideas about doing this. I am thinking about using my power rod wrapper and fine sand paper.
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Check out MHX Steelhead rods. The 10 foot mag-med might be a good choice.
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I have done a couple of carbon fiber grabs as experiments and they have not turn out as nice as the stuff in the video. Is there some kind of trick to getting it from not to skinning over so fast? Temperature? I am using soft water. Or am I just not fast enough?
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I am making some carbon fiber rod handles. I prefer Tennessee handles for sensitivity. But, I would like to start making some handles with skeleton reel seats. What size diameter should I turn my cores down to? Using size 16 and 17. What is a good starting diameter. I will be putting a seal coat, wet lay-up with cf and 2-3 coats of epoxy on before sliding on the seat. Thanks
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Here is a link to St. Croix rod building information. The 5S70LF-G is one of my favorite rods. I and building 3 each of the 5S76MLXF-G and 5S76MF-G right now. Both will be with split grip carbon handle. I hope this is what you are looking for. Good building!
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Has anyone used anything other than Permagloss, Lumaseal or epoxy to finish a carbon fiber handle? What about Minwax clear urethane or helmsman spar urethane? Does anyone use anything else on regular basis other than PG or Lumaseal?
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I have used both of these blanks from St. Croix 3S70MLF or 3S76MLXF. It depends on how heavy or light you are rigging. I use the 7 footer for lighter rigging, smaller minnows and leeches. The 7 1/2 I use for chubs. The 7 1/2 is faster and has a little more power.
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I am thinking about building a set of trolling rods. I have never used microwave guides and was thinking about trying them for a spiral wrap. Thought this might help keep line centered for the reel. I will only be using these rods for trolling, coho, steelhead and walleye. Looking at a 9'0" MHX steelhead fast action mag medium, levelwind reel and 12-20 lb test. Is it a waste t
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Here is 2 that I have built and recommend,
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I am building a saltwater trolling rod, 3 peace travel rod, Phenex blank. I am using EVA grips and aluminum gimbal and reel seat. I am making my own polyurethane arbors for the gimbal and reel seat. I am turning with a lathe but, not 100% certain of the arbors being absolutely round. I am in the machine industry so round to me means round within .001". I am thinking about using tape as a
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Does anybody know anyone that carries Mooseskin triangular grips in 6-8 inch lengths? I couldn't find anybody other than Johnny's pond with a choice of sizes. Johnny's prices are attractive but, you never know what you are going to get or when you going to get it with them. I have not seen much of Mooseskin since Merrick was bought out. Couldn't even find a website for them, Mooseskin
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Need to build two travel rods for Mexico. Trolling bluewater for sailfish, dorado,stripped Marlin and mid size tuna. One will be 30# and I might build one for 50#, leaning toward both being 30#. I built a one peice 50# last year, turned out nice, too long to travel with or ship, $230 shipping each way. Advice welcome for blanks and guides. Not crazy about rollers since I am staying lighter.
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Is it OK to thin out Flexcoat lite with a few drops of denatured alcohol? This is for silk thread penetration. Or should I just go out and get some rubbing alcohol? Used it with West System on my boat and it didn't sink. It did break in two when they dropped it but, not where I batched it.
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I have a couple of spools of Gudebrod #521 Silk R.W. White 002 00. Will this be transparent if I use only Flexcoat lite build, no CP? Any tips for wrapping with this? Never used silk before. I am building another ice fishing rod and it is camo and think transparent wraps would look cool.
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I registered on there and the pictures are loaded. Thanks Bill
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Yes
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Tried to put pictures on couldn't. Message said to log in but, I am. When I tried to log on on the photo page, it said invalid. Tom can you help? Good Day, Doug
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I would like to thank everyone that gave me some ideas. I am sure I will make a few changes. Here is what I have: 8 foot rod wrapper Seperate area for drying handle Seperate area for mixing epoxy I know gave a lathe for turning rod handles and that is set up in the garage. The lathe bench is portable to take the dust outside. 4-4 foot lights with daylight bulbs for plenty of good light. C
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Has anyone used West Systems epoxies for either carbon fiber handles or for thread finish? Kind of curious about the 207 hardener, uv protection, non-yellowing and clear.
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I am basically doing exactly that. I guess I am more curious about tool holders and guide storage and trying to keep mine uncluddered too. Just the counter top and legs. Mounting is to the wall and making it level. No more moving it to tie jigs and stuff. No more using it to turn handles anymore either. Will post when done. Thanks, Doug
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Why not use his 1/4" cores than? Thanks, Doug
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I am looking to make my own foam cores for carbon fiber grips. I make ice fishing rods and I want to make the cores so that they are tight to the rod, butt diameter .125-.1875 is common. Is it possible to use pvc 1' id x 5-8 inches long, with caps on each end and running .0625" hardened rod for the mandrel? Plan on using foam from Riley Rods. Will the expansion split the pvc?
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I am building a new work bench just for rod building. Before I had to split space with lure and fly tying. Just curious about how others set up. I will still be using the other area for mixing epoxies and that. All cutting and shaping will be done outside. The new bench area will be strictly rod wrapping and drying. Looking especially how other set-up the rod dryer if separate f
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I am doing sone light live baiting rods. I want to keep the rods as light as possible. Was thinking about doing the guides with trim wraps. Do you use same size thread always. How does it look with A thread for the trim wraps and D for the guide wraps?
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Hands down I would go with EVA or hypolon. I have had many trolling rods for salmon and walleye and the foams are the way to go. The foam is more durable and I am not crazy about the smooth for cold water. I will be making a set for next year for walleye and planer board fishing for cohos, 9 foot xf blanks. Like a hotshot blank. Looking at doing spiral guide set up. I would not recommend th
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Does anyone know the spool diameter for a Diawa SS 2000 tournament reel is?
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I have all my supplies and have started on my first carbon fiber handle. I have the first one shaped and finished sanded. There are many pits or voids, nothing huge. Do you fill these in with anything or just epoxy and dry it before doing the wet layout? So far so good, like how light it is and how easy it is to shape, not doing anything special that way.
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