Who are them "Swamp-Land" boys??? Ain't there oil in the swamp???
Forum: rodboard

Lance - You\'re giving away my secrets! I\'ve built several of the 8\' cranking rods and rattletrap rods in the 964 and 965. My customers love them and I was hoping the word would not get out.\r\nI don\'t know of a better blank for launching traps and deep divers long distances. Now, if you start offering a deal on micros on these rods I\'m gonna have to take up bowling!! The Bullard Brush Cleane
Forum: rodboard

Lance - You're giving away my secrets! I've built several of the 8' cranking rods and rattletrap rods in the 964 and 965. My customers love them and I was hoping the word would not get out. I don't know of a better blank for launching traps and deep divers long distances. Now, if you start offering a deal on micros on these rods I'm gonna have to take up bowling!! The Bullard Brush Cleaner i
Forum: rodboard

Lance - You're giving away my secrets! I've built several of the 8' cranking rods and rattletrap rods in the 964 and 965. My customers love them and I was hoping the word would not get out. I don't know of a better blank for launching traps and deep divers long distances. Now, if you start offering a deal on micros on these rods I'm gonna have to take up bowling!! The Bullard Brush Cleaner i
Forum: rodboard

Rick - Just as you have read all the epoxies/thread finishes work IF YOU FOLLOW THE MFR's INSTRUCTIONS. I emphasize that because I have read so many threads complaining of problems that in the end are related to user error. I've tried 3 different brands and all work well, but just a little different. You can buy epoxies in syringes from most mfr's to test them. I would urge you to make so
Forum: rodboard

Is it Duck River time?
Forum: rodboard

I use a heat gun and a razor blade. Apply as little heat as required, hold the razor blade perpendicular to the blank and scrape off the finish. It works well if you get it warm enough. Make sure you don't scorch the blank. Good Luck, it's a lot of work.
Forum: rodboard

Has anyone tried to assemble an equivalent to the 200rpm Flexcoat Finish motor? I would rather not use a power wrapper and I also don't want to pay $450 for the Flexcoat model.
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Can you give me an example of when the locking wrap is useless? For the 941 I think double foot guides all the way to the tip would be too heavy and greatly dampen the action of the blank. On the action you're talkng about I would go all single foot to the tip. Also, my preference would be to go 3-4mm on the running guides to the tip. If you put 2 coats of any 2 part finish on the wraps corr
Forum: rodboard

Mike - I know this sounds a little ridiculous, BUT, 5 minutes goes by very fast. I make sure I have everything sitting in front of me. I have all the pieces sized exactly. I mix the epoxy as quickly as I can and I barely have time to make adjustments. I feel like I'm throwing it together, a complete crap shoot. I haven't made a mistake yet, but I'm positive it's just a matter of time. I
Forum: rodboard

My opinion would be to switch to Diamond II and be done with any problems... I've had much better results now that I've switched.
Forum: rodboard

I spent a little time with Lance this past week. He couldn't have been more patient and helpful. His rods are as good as I've seen anywhere. I did run into one small problem - I spent way too much money, but now I have plans for 8 great rods! This "hobby" is turning into an obsession... Thanks Lance for all your help.
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Castaway HG MB784 6'6", medium action, mod fast tip.
Forum: rodboard

Rick - Are you putting any of your finish in the freezer? Just a thought....
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Jim - In the future stay away from the heat. I used an alcohol lamp to smooth out the finish, but I have gotten completely away from it. If you get bumps, hills and valleys, football type finish, etc - What has worked for me is to let it dry/cure well, take some 300-600 grit sandpaper and carefully sand down the problem areas. Wipe down the epoxy (no acetone, I don't even use DNA) and put
Forum: rodboard

Tom - I'm thinking of weighing my epoxy. I want to use Threadmaster resin and Flexcoat lite hardener. But, I want to be able to take a break after mixing the epoxy so I plan to put them in my refrigerator in the garage. Then I want to use a small torch to heat it back up before applying it to my 1 rod. Now, my question is what should I do with the bubbles and the color of my thread (I bou
Forum: rodboard

I would think spending half a day with Jason getting all the knowledge from the actual blank designer would be worth a lot more than a 1/2 off barrel. I've been impressed with St Croix for a while now. Was lucky enough to meet Jason in High Point this year. Pretty sharp engineer and a good product. Oh yeah, I got some cheap stuff there, too.
Forum: rodboard

Conventional: - An ex.fast taper bending steeply got less torsion that reg, tapers - A rod that light has no perceptible torsion - Light apps (2-6g) are harder to cast spiral wrapped - Overall better casting distance - Better casting accury Please search for M&M's and you will find specific posts on casting distance and accuracy with micros both conventional and spiral wrapped
Forum: rodboard

Trim the blank 6" for that special, application specific bass rod. Then charge extra for the "special" modification...
Forum: rodboard

Have you considered a 7' MH with a moderate action? You should research the action of flippin sticks and worm rods. I have changed my mind completely after thinking about the number of fish throwing the lure close to the boat. There's also a good answer to email from Gary Klein in last month's Bassmaster about rod action. Just something to think about.
Forum: rodboard

Wait a minute, I'm getting a little confused... "micro guides ... used with baitcasting reels... for bass". That sounds about right. What's this about "other fish?" Is there any other kinda fish? I heard a friend say he caught a crappie once. Oh yeah, Filet-O-Fish, that's just fried bass, right?
Forum: rodboard

Dan - Remember the saying "Everyone has an opinion"? Here's mine. Get a very simple wrapping jig. For learning how to wrap I think a manual wrapper is better. Spend time in the library on this site reading about finish. I have used a dryer, but there's a better way. All the finishes from the sponsors on the left work very well. BUT, it's critical you follow their directions.
Forum: rodboard

Backlash Tools sell a tip top support. You may want to look at it on the left. You can also try cutting your tape into small widths. I have some small zip ties I'm going to try on my next rod with 4mm micro guides. The best tip I've found is just simple practice. Steve Gardner says you just have to train you fingers. He wraps 2mm guides and smaller!
Forum: rodboard

Could the casting competition be better, more scientific, more rules, more categories for all style rods..... It was a lot of fun to watch and heckle. I enjoyed everything about it. If all the rules were the same next year, it would be great again. Thanks Tom for your time and effort. If it wasn't successful, we all wouldn't be talking about it.
Forum: rodboard

Bob - After meeting most of the vendors on this site at the ICRBE, I've decided to only buy from them. I have bought just a couple of items on @#$%& and it was terrible. Not only do I get much better prices from these vendors, the help they offer is priceless, seriously. And, as a side note, they are very nice people. I'd urge you only use the sponsors on the left and get to know them.
Forum: rodboard

Steve - Your seminar on Micro Guides had me thinking all the way home. You and Mike Harris turned a lot of my ideas upside down. I never even considered carbon fiber for grips before. I thought spiral wraps were just an oddity. Because of the Expo I plan to use the smallest micro's possible, only carbon fiber grips, and spiral wraps on all my performance rods. And, as much as I hate to a
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Brad - Thanks - I would like to have the photos. tbadgley@hvac.mea.com
Forum: rodboard

Jon - We have a little hot water in Knoxville, also about the same in Chattanooga. Memphis it gets spotty depending on the time of year. However, I've heard Shelbyville has run flat out. My provide some answers.... I'm just saying. It was great to meet ya'll this weekend. It was a lot of fun to hear the stories about Gary developing the graphite technology in the early 80's. It's a mem
Forum: rodboard

Yesterday my 10 yr old son and I showed up to watch the casting competition before the Expo. Having never met any of the guys from the forum I expected to see some great rod designs and long casts. We did see some new ideas, long casts, and met some very nice guys. I want to thank Bill Stevens for creating a memory for my son and I that we will remember for a long time. Bill gave my son a pro
Forum: rodboard

I've built 2 rods for weightless senko's, small flukes, sammy's, and 1/4oz swim jigs. I used the St Croix 6'6" SCIII Medium power, fast action. I fish fluorocarbon on Shimano Chronarchs. The action of this rod works very well for me. For texas rigged plastics, and any jig fished slow I have built 2 rods on the St Croix 7' SCIII - Med Heavy, fast action. I can cast the weightless plastic
Forum: rodboard