If getting the frame length and height is important, you should ask for a new Batson Enterprises Blank and Component catalog. Lots of very good info on their products in there.
Forum: rodboard

I admit to not knowing anything about CTS, and science or whatever this is about was something I tried to avoid when in school. I do wonder though why anyone would want to fish with a rod that is capable of almost doubling back on itself?????? The Whopper Stopper does that and it makes a wonderful advert. but huh???? I want my rod to work against a fish and it's not doing that if it bends over
Forum: rodboard

Most of my customers know what they want, if it's an item I don't think is going to work, alternates are suggested. Vendor's customer service is very important to me and is the reason Batson Enterprises is at the top of my list.
Forum: rodboard

I just realizied what that groove in my thumbnail was from!! It's exactly the same size as the diameter of the Rainshadow 3wt on the bench right now. I guess that's another vote for the always at hand thumnail. But I still use the little white plastic burnishing tool from Anglers.
Forum: rodboard

I can hear them now..."Who's this guy says we have fish eyes???"
Forum: rodboard

And one of the best, easiest to read and well illustrated catalogs it is Billy. Good job!!! I love the quotes.
Forum: rodboard

No, you only use CP over metallic, or was it under metallic, or was it...oh, never mind. I thought "fisheyes" was that creamy desert I got as a kid, wait..or was that fish eggs?
Forum: rodboard

Let's see...."Myth Busters"....nah, that's already taken. "Billy's Follies"...that's got a nice ring. Me thinks you worry to much Billy!!!!! I'm going to go to work on the 2005A and really give ya a headache!
Forum: rodboard

I gotta get a picture up of the test I did after seeing Jim's tartan. Six bright Maderia colors over white. Finished with Supreme and NO FISHEYES!!. Some of the blends were really interesting and some were too drab. I did have to play with the finish a bit, but was really surprised that it didn't need the CP. I don't normally do the wait till it sags bit, but this time finish was applied heavil
Forum: rodboard

Out here in the Pacific Northwest we will use weight below the float, attached with a swivel or on a sliding weight rig. If you are using something similar, be sure that the weight hasn't smacked the blank enough to have caused a small blemish that can be the start and finish of a broken rod. Don't ask me how I know this except that I have two very nice 12' two piece float rods that are now th
Forum: rodboard

Yep...that's what I found. I'll take a page from your book and sit down tonight with some of the really light colors and see what happens with the bleeding. Still waiting to try the Threadmaster, but if that is what you and Jim used without the "uglies" I guess I'll have to push the other finishes to the back of the shelf.
Forum: rodboard

Just looked at Jim Rippe's tartan posted on the photo page. Great work, but I, like Billy V. can't get finish on that thread without CP. Could it be the Threadmaster? Having to spend the time to baby a coat of finish is a pain. Looking at my selection of Maderia, there are so many light shades that even if they did darken up it would still result in a light wrap. I know I have problems with b
Forum: rodboard

"Orange Peel" isn't because it didn't flow properly, it's because of some contamination. Go over what you did prior to the finish application for a possible cause. Dips and humps can be caused by too much finish, bumps by dirt or thread ends, but the orange peel is something else.
Forum: rodboard

Josh you might also try the directory at the top of the page. Another rod builder in your area can be a great help when starting. I've often loaned my books to others who want to start. Don't be surprised if they ask you for your first born or a pint of blood from you to ensure that you return them in good order. It will also help if you let us know where you are from.
Forum: rodboard

Rainshadow, almost exclusively.
Forum: rodboard

LS, when it's gone I'll try Threadmaster.
Forum: rodboard

You might have missed something obvious....don't clean everything with acetone before use. Dust can be wiped off with a dry brush, but the acetone just could be introducing all sorts of nasty stuff to your finish.
Forum: rodboard

I'm just up the road Emory, do the Hoh, Bogachiel, Qinault, Sol Duc ring any bells??? There's been some good info in this little thread. I'll second the theroy about not being afraid to go with bigger blades even in low, clear conditions. Brass and black come to mind for colors. The braid, being thinner ,also allows the lure to sink quicker. Some folks here use the split shot as well Pat, but
Forum: rodboard

Another thought...I have a good customer that just sold his last two Loomis steelhead rods. He now uses Rainshadow RX7's and loves them. Strange guy though, I build him casting rods on a 3wt fly blank and he uses them for Red's on the Texas coast. Different strokes.
Forum: rodboard

Oh wow, Emory how's the space in that fishin cabin???? I'm green with envy!. We see a lot of braided line both on the salt for coho and kings as well as the rivers. I use Power Pro on my baitcasters and like it a lot. I'm particularly fond of spinners and plugs and have not had any more problems than experienced with mono. At times, a mono leader is advised, if the water is clear and low, bu
Forum: rodboard

And imagine all that in person!!! How about "You want to see some neat rods?" or "You want to see some new stuff" or "Hey...Look at this!!" Yep...I'm lucky, Batson Enterprises just down the street! Great place, great people.
Forum: rodboard

I'll use the wrapper for guides. It may be your thread carriage is not tracking smoothly as you wrap or your speed isn't constant. Stopping and starting, or slowing down will cause gaps, stopping to correct an overrun will also do it. Sometimes using a burnishing tool to help guide the wraps against each as you turn helps.
Forum: rodboard

Sounds just like the" bubble buster" already mentioned. Nearly all the suppliers carry them. Squeeze it for a pinpoint flame, or hold it close to pop little bubbles. You do have to watch which alcohol you use, some don't like to stay lit.
Forum: rodboard

That's good to know, my red stick was the first batch I guess, but I do have other colors that were purchased later. I'm feelin a little better about using them now.
Forum: rodboard

Two sided carpet tape will help you. Make sure that you are not pulling your tape bands at either end of the wrap towards each other by applying too much thread tension. They have to be well attached to the blank at the top and the foregrip or reel seat at the bottom. You can get a bunch of passes out of one wrap of the carpet tape.
Forum: rodboard

Mike, I've always had good products and service from Lamiglass as well, but I'm one the folk that has had some bad luck with the Texilium. The stuff is just too pretty not to use, but it's durability might be questioned. I've used it with a burl and EVA buttcap and a burl ring at the the reel seat. When finishing the handle assembly, a wrap of tape was applied to both ends of the texilium to p
Forum: rodboard

Robert I don't understand why taping the ferrule is an accepted practice??? There should be no need to tape anything. If the rod sections were properly wrapped and finished than the reason they came apart was most likley caused by joining them together in the wrong way. Sectional blanks are best put together by aligning them off center and then pushing and twisting them together into proper ali
Forum: rodboard

At least with a lab top he won't have to worry about how to tie those darn gowns without having half your body showing!!! Couldn't resist Bill!. Please wish Jesse the best and sppedy recovery from a lot of out here on the left coast.
Forum: rodboard

One more...4-6 repeats, always closed on, most on 12-16mm blanks.
Forum: rodboard

Never any more than 3cc's of each and usually less. Mix with a spatula in a plastic cup (get em' by the hundred at WalMart) apply with the spatula from the same cup.
Forum: rodboard