I like my 8ft 4wt RX7 by Batson John sorry, didn't read completely, just recommended a fly blank not spinning
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I want to build a all purpose power wrapper. I've got the wheels and sewing machine motor will have a foot pedal and rheostat. I work with wood, not metal. Anyone ever construct one using mostly wood? Any suggestions (pics) would be appreciate. Thanks, John
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You might want to look into CTS. They quite a few optional colors.
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I want to build a power wrapper. Does anyone know where I can buy or scrounge wheels for the rod supports? Thanks, John
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Alex' Excellent work! I have better luck with dowels. Whatever works for each is the "right" way. But don't you get bubbles? The fella at Soller Composites confirmed that curing epoxy creates its own bubbles. I ordered shrink tubing, at the same time he suggested the vacuum method as well, but without one of those I get hundreds of bubbles. Also he told me to keep the temp. colder
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Charles, I've made 22 of these and have had the same problems as you including way too many bubbles. Got best results with following technique. Preseal shaped core with epoxy resin (Auto) cures quicker and less expensive. Bore handle to fit blank. Slide on carbon fiber sleeve be careful not to spread weave too much with dowel (pencil) push sleeve material into hole in one end, push tight and
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Matt, Just a possible alternative. I have some pearl finish film material used for refinishing drum sides. I have wrapped the rod blank below the seat cut out with this material before. Turned out pretty neat. I have two colors, blue pearl and cream pearl. I'd be happy to send you some if you would like. John.
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David, Is the Canton rodbuilder's open to the public? If so where and when? I would like to attend. John Straight
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Anyone ever use this stuff? What were your results? Opinions?
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Anyone, Why do we call it a feather "inlay" instead of an "onlay"? Wouldn't that be a more accurate term?
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care to offer any suggestions
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Has anyone ever used thinned spar varnish as color preserver, will it work?
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Bryan, I built Xi 6ft 2wt 4piece. Couldn't be happier, exceeded expectations. Good Luck, John
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Stanford, If your still looking take a peek at Batson's RX8. This the fastest blank I have ever built on.
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Johnathon, I use a dremel tool. Prepared a stone wheel by cutting a "v" in it with the edge of a small file. Now I just mount the dremel in a vise insert prepared cutting wheel and shape top, bottom and sides of guides. Works well for me, quick and accurate. Full guide set takes 5 min. Sometimes I need to touch with small file or finger nail emery board. Good Luck, John
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I've used, almost, exclusively Flexcoat for 20 yrs, tried some others but always went back to FC. Been reading about some newer epoxies that claim to have extended pot life. Any one have any experience that they would care to share? Thanks, John
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Hunter, I did a complete restoration on a good 1930's - 1940's vintage 8ft 5wt 3/2 rod. I was coached by top notch bamboo rod builder. He had me remove guides, strip finish (citrus based chemical), sand on flats 200 - 800 grit (careful), found a number of boo-boos which had to be repaired, one pinned Ferrel replaced, he straightened with heat and dip finished (4 coats of heated and thinned
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Fourth coat of flexcoat lite seems to have done the trick.
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Fly, this one is all aluminum.
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I affix feather with cp fist. Then I want to coat just feather only, not complete circumference of reel seat. Can't get smooth even finish. Leaves dips and depressions in finish.
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David You might want to look into Hook & Hackle's Xi Series blanks and kits. I built 6ft 6in 2 wt this past fall. I subbed sf guides for reg snakes and foam core carbon sleeve handle with a high end REC slide down lock reel seat. I'm very partial to the green color. Performs very well, even a little faster than expected. Have Fun John
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Hi folks, Can anyone recommend a finish coating for feather inlays, (on-lay) other than typical 2 part epoxy thread finish. Maybe something thinner. Will spar varnish work? I have been applying an on-lay to the reel seat and only epoxying (flexcoat lite) the feather, not completely around the barrel of the seat, but I'm not satisfied with the results. Can't get the finished look I want. If th
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Can I remove, end or delete a topic I started? If not how long does it stay active?
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What is cork sealer? Can thinned marine varnish or something else be used do the same? While I'm asking questions, what is special about color preserver? Again are there general finish products that will do the same? Thanks, John
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Dick, YES it was your picture, Thank you. Will be ordering the end caps same supplier. Beautiful work, what is name of joint used to connect angled sides. Thanks, John
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Hi Some time ago I saw some pics of a beautiful wooden rod tube with brass ends. The maker gave a wed site address for the end caps, Now I can't find the info again. Can anyone help? John
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I've got extra Pacbay gold metalic M100A-GD and Pacbay brown Y100A-MA that I would like to swap for Godbrod silver metalic, gold metalic, any browns or greens. Be happy to trade 2 for 1. Thanks, John
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Has there been a "how to" article on making foam core bushings? John
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I use PacBay's quad dryer and love it. Very rarely do I build more than one rod at a time, but it's great to dry individual rod sections. John
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In my experience Batson RX7 is best blank for the money, no question. John
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