White color fast thread touched with a colored permanent marker while the rod is turning.....cheap, fast, easy....but not nearly as goodlooking as done with colored thread.
Forum: rodboard

You got it!! If you are using those patterns, stick with a two axis for your first couple of attempts. You will quickly see how fast space fills up and some of those patterns may be to large to do on 4 axis. Again, good luck. The Clemens book is a good resource.
Forum: rodboard

Extra guides are never a problem, just an advance on the next project! My comment about the roller tip refers to the the very much thinner diameter of the braid. It often gets stuck between the roller and frame....not good. Newer roller tip tops are better designed to handle today's braids. Tons of info on guide placement, you have to sift through the junk and science reports, but it's actually a
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If you are restoring the rods, use the same guides and placement. If you want the rods to go to work again, strip them down, clean the blank, static test and add the proper number of guides. You'll have to remove the tip top to determine sizing and should probably add a roller tip that's braid compatible if you want to use rollers. Nearly all guides made in this era are good with braid. Can't se
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Don't over think it. All the patterns on that sites opening page are two axis layouts, one on top and one on the bottom. Are you confusing a pattern repeat with axis?
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The reel weighs more than 3 pounds for heavens sake. I'd try for an aftermarket clamp. Big fish, heavy reel....tape??
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The Fuji's are a casting guide. Vertical jigging won't require much, if any casting, so you should be ok to use them with your spinner. You also won't need a whole reduction train, just use what's needed to make a smooth line path. Roger's suggestion is ok, you could even drop the 16 and go to 12's. Be aware of the knots you will run with that big mono, make sure you get them through the 8's.
Forum: rodboard

You should also unhide your email address. There are plenty of sources that don't sponsor here that you may be interested in.
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You might check out the San Diego rodbuilders classes as well, lots of really good builders sharing stuff. A ton of good guys down your way.
Forum: rodboard

Everything you need to build that rod, including the information and help in selecting the blank and components, right down to the thread, is available from Batson Enterprises. Talk to them. Great people.
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Don't know what adhesive you use, but the Rod Bond that I use can be "eyeballed ". I once heard Ralph O'Quinn say that it will still provide good adhesion at 60-40.. He said " a good walnut size glob of each, folded together".....and I'm positive he said "glob".
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I think you will find the PacBay blanks to be very nice. I've built on the Arctos fly blanks and have bent most of the Pac Bay blanks stocked at Utmost Enterprises. Good quality.
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I'm pretty sure Batson still offers a few 3 piece travel rods, SWT 7' in three line classes. Good price, great blanks.
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Batson Enterprises has a pretty good tutorial on heat shrink application in the The Rod Bench - Tips and Tricks section of their website. I' ve not had any problem rolling the ends over to form a good flat mating surface to reel seat and winding check. You might want to ream your grip a bit more, but the rubber cement trick works very well if done correctly.
Forum: rodboard

I wonder how many excellent builders don't do Facebook??
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Utmost Enterprises
Forum: rodboard

Yes, it's low or high build finish. Light coat or coats make it a lite build, heavier coats make it a high build. Sort of like most finishes.
Forum: rodboard

Utmost has trigger seats as small as 8.5mm. That's pretty tiny.
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25,16,10 out with 8's if you run leader knots, 7's if not. The bend will tell you how many, but use at least 8, not counting the tip top.
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Rainshadow RCKJB's.
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I generally sand the damaged area just a tad longer than the original wrap, then try and match the blank color with an A underwrap. Any more fish on that good looking RCKJB Derek?
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Utmost has tons of wooden inserts. Call them with the measurements, they may be able to match something.
Forum: rodboard

Check the Alps rubber gimbal from Batson, available through Utmost Enterprises. Not your plain jane gimbal.
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Saving weight on a 50# stick by going with titanium frames doesn't make sense, unless you just have deep pockets. Good quality aluminium oxide inserts are proven performers. Zirconium and SIC inserts have been around a long time.Recessed rings have a slight advantage over pressed rings. SS 316 stainless steel is a bit better than SS304 at corrosion resistance. Every manufacturer will tell you wh
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Alps XN's. Utmost keeps them in stock.
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Utmost Enterprises will save you a bit on the PacBay thread
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Nice one James. Good service. I'm a bit shocked that the original poster hadn't contacted you guys.
Forum: rodboard

It's possible for a little of the decals adhesive to squeeze out when pressed to the blank. That adhesive may repel the finish, particularly on the edges.
Forum: rodboard

You can get some awfully nice recipes from Batson's for that build.
Forum: rodboard

If your finish is still tacky, acetone will make it worse. It's gonna get gummy.
Forum: rodboard