Lorenzo, I fish with Fluorocarbon line exclusively and have tried about every brand out there. A fishing buddy of mine had seen a line review on some web site and told me that Bass Pro Shops fluorocarbon line had ranked real high on the testing results. It costs a little less than some of the more expensive lines, (used to be cheaper than now), and runs $20 for 200 yards and $90.00 for 100
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Jeff, It sounds like you maybe had a little too much epoxy on the wrap. Excessive epoxy will cause ripples or "humps". After applying the epoxy go back with your brush and remove any excess epoxy.
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Dennis, 90-95% of the rods I build are bass rods. I have used just about every guide out there...Fuj Alconite & SIC's, Pac Bay Minima, etc. For price, durability and light weight I use Fuj Alconite guides. I have not tried the Kigan guides available through Swampland. Swampland have an excellant reputation. You might give Swampland a call to dicuss the Kigan guides. I like the looks of th
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Thanks for all of the input. I alway struggle with "how many micro guides". 'Have used the micro guide spacing chart available from Mudhole and have had guys ask, why so many guides? Obviously they give excellent support to the rod blank; but are they over kill? Loved the responses to Dave's question. Thank you very much for your contributions.
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Try Krylon Crystal Clear. I have used Krylon Fixitif, CP and was not happy with the results. A fellow rod builder told me to try Krylon Crystal Clear, two light coats and perfection! I have never had a decal problem since switching to Crystal Clear. Applied two light coats, 10 minutes apart and let dry for at least an hour or two before applying epoxy. My decals have come out perfect since I swi
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I have to add my two cents for Pro Kote. I love the working time, it is crystal clear and I think you could mix it with an egg beater and it would still come out bubble free!
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Scott Backholm Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Any black gloss finishes? You guys are the best, > thanks. Scott, The RX 8+ blanks are black, but not glossy. They are unadulterated graphite...a really attractive blank. I was recently told by one of the sponsers of this site that the RX 8+ is built in America by St. Croix for Batson Enterprises. I
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I second the recommendation for the ProWrap thread from Mudhole. I used Gudebod metallic thread exclusively until it was no longer available. I tried various other threads and was not pleased with them, until I tried the Prowrap. I love it. Give it a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Bill Graham Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'm wondering how Mudholes MHK rods are doing. > Are they getting good referals, and are they > holding up? I have built several of the MHX High-Modulus rods. I keep one for myself, (love it) and sold one to a friend. he said it is his favorite rod. I have not build and of the MHX yet; but I ordered
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I build a Rainshadow XSB842, (spinning rod blank), as a casting rod and I love it! It made a GREAT finesse worm rod, tubes etc!
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Jerry Sloan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Has anyone found a good thread brand and color and > type for the two St. Croix blanks blue/green flip > and the forest green pearl? My customers have been very pleased with the Gudebrod Aquamarine Metallic. It looks really good with the blue/flip green colored blank. You might check with Karen Hapka
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I agree with Chris. Since purchasing an epoxy mixer from Mudhole, the frustrations with epoxy mixes have been eliminated. Well worth the investment.
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Scott, You will find in the Rodbuilding library an article about static guide placement. I think you will find it very informative. Here's a link:
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I second the kudos for Mudhole! I have never had a problem with a single order that wasn't resolved as quickly as possible! I love the way their orders are organized when you receive them...all guides, winding checks, etc., of similar size & type are in a separate baggies.
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Have you tried ProKote from Mudhole? I love it crystal clear and absolutely no bubbles. Curing time is longer; but so is the working time when applying.
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Brian Bishop Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Does anyone know of a Company that could help with > desiging a Company logo for a rod builder? Looking > for help with art work, design etc...etc... I would highly recomment: They prepared my company logo and did an excellant job, price was very reasonable and service was the next day!
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Yeah....Double Yeah! Thanks for the heads-up Karen.
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If you have not tried one, you should check out the Dry Transfer Decals available from SSSink, (Screen Specialty Shop). Here's a link to their web site: These labels come with the North Fork Composite, (NFC), blanks and are totally seamless. I messed up the first one I tried; because I didn't realize what I was dealing with and used masking tape on the front & back in an attempt to
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I have never tried wet sanding EVA foam; because it comes out excellant dry sanding it. For the final sanding I use a 600 grit sand pager and have never had any complaints!
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A number of years ago, I built for personal use a St. Croix SC V - 5C70MF for fishing SENKOS and I love it. This blank is available in SC V, SC IV and SC III graphic. Since that time, I built six more for guys who tried the rod and immediately ordered one for their selves. The rod is 7'-0", rated: Medium Power, Fast Action, 10-17 lb, (I use 8# on it) and 1/4 - 5/8 oz. It works great
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Jeremy Reed Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I like to spray Krylon UV clear acrylic over the > decals to protect them. Whether it's wrong or > right, I can't say for sure b/c I've recently just > started building, but it has worked so far for me > and the handful of builds I've done. I also spray > this over any handwritten information I
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Randy, After reading your message, I went to Mudhole's' web site and checked out what they currently have listed for beginner rod building kits. I am not sure how much you have budgeted. I started with out any equipment, but had a close friend loan me what I needed. There is one kit I noticed on the Mudhole's site, which includes everything you will need, including a rod dryer. A rod dryer
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Jim, I love the new Tee Shirts! 'Will have to get on th ephone in the am!
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John, Thank you for your input. It is appreciated. You feel that a 25Hv or 30HV is large enough for the rod? I don't have a clue when it comes to saltwater spinning rods. I don't know about the party boat limitation on rod lengths. We are located in So. Cal and he normally goes out of San Diego on over-night trips. Probably not what would be referred to as a "party boat"! Thank
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I normally build bass rods; but have been asked my a friend to refurbish several of his saltwater rods. One of the rods is a 9'-0" fiberglass spinning rods, (quite old), which currently contains wire frame braced guides, (low frame) sized as follows: Guide 1: 10mm @ 51/4" Guide 2: 16mm @ 11 3/8" Guide 3: 20mm @ 18 3/8" Guide 4: 25mm @ 26 3/4" Guide 5: 35mm @ 36&quo
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Tom, I would hope all of the people reading Rod Maker Magazine and using this web site have expressed their sincere gratitude, appreciation and "Thanks" for all you do for the custom rod builder. I know for one, I would still be in the dark ages were it not for all your efforts! My sincere Thanks and Appreciation for all you do for us!
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I had a lady customer who also want a "pink rod". I wanted to build it on a blank that I knew would be a high quality blank. I searched a lot and finally decided to go with the St. Croix SC III Fushcia blank. While it is fushcia and not truly pink, she was very please with the rod! She Bass fishes and I knew the St. Croix blank would be right on the spot!
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Pedro, I just e-mailed you a picture. 'Sorry I did not send it sooner, as I was just checking back to see if anyone had posted an up date on availability of Gudebrod threads and I noticed your post.
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Last year at the ICST Show in Las Vegas the IRS was scheduled to present a seminar on Excise Tax. I signed up for the seminar, as I was new to the business. I was looking forward to learning about Excise Tax, which I knew nothing about! The IRS did not show-up! ICAST staff had received notice at the last minute and schedule an attorney from San Fransico to discuss copy right and trademark laws
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Jay, I have done 8 - 10 of the SC V's, blue/flip green colored blanks using Gudebrod, Size A, HT Metallic, Color: Aquamarine 9252. My customers love the color match and ask for it again when ordering a new SC V. I place a small silver trim band on each side of the main wrap with 3 small, two wrap, insert bands. The thread color complements the blue/ flip green finish great, as this blank ki
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