I rebuilt one old crankbait rod for myself, and not so sure I will ever do a complete rebuild again. I should think the blank would be fine, but it sounds to me like you will have 3 x the labor of a new build to strip the rod down, just to re use the blank. Hope the blank is worth it. Heating the epoxy with a heat gun helps to remove old wraps and cork, but it is just a lot of work to remove a
Forum: rodboard

I ordered some Fishhawk Orange and love the color. But like most light colors I am concerned with how it will look with epoxy on it. So if you have used this color without painting the blank, how well did it hold its original color versus turning translucent and losing the 'pop' in the original color?
Forum: rodboard

Really, just use Southern Grafix and he will send it to Decal Connection and it is all painless.
Forum: rodboard

This is a one off kind of situation, I actually weighed the small double foots versus the single foots before building the raod and it was pretty negligible so I just decided to use the old parts up. Even with them all being double foot, finished the rod only weighs 3.66oz. If it wasn't for me, I completely agree with going with single foot guides after the inital couple. If I were to do ano
Forum: rodboard

Normally I don't coat between the front and rear wraps on double foot guides I put on my bass rods, perhaps because I usually transition to single foot guides. But since I used all double foot guides and some #6 double foot guides for the last 3, where the distance between front to back is minimal I decided to epoxy in the gap between the thread wraps for those and all of the others guides on th
Forum: rodboard

Well, I must say I usually don't do what I did this time. I work the split grip, reel seat accent, winding check and decal and maybe the first guide. Then I do the guides and tip. Then I repeat the process. i just got done with the second coat and I am happy with most. I hate to say it but the heat gun is coming out tomorrow and I am going to remove the top 3 guides and redo them. I just am
Forum: rodboard

Well I was trying to put the first coat of finish on the guides, tip, hook keeper accents, a top coat on the marbling, all in one pass. Trying to work efficiently and not get sloppy or too generous. Then I found myself having to hurry because I could tell the epoxy was going to get beyond where it can be accurately applied. Having worked with epoxy on lures for a longer time than on rods, I kn
Forum: rodboard

Well I'd love to hear any science on the subject. The only observation I have found is the density of the foam is not the same. I took a cross section slice from a rear EVA grip and compared how much weight it took to visually notice compression of the foam and the craft store 3MM foam took less weight. However glueing layers together with epoxy is going to strengthen the overall grip if it wa
Forum: rodboard

The Minima reel seat should be ordered to a size that when it is slid into place fits pretty close to snug. There should be minimal gap left and any rod bond that seeps out just wipe off with DNA and a rag. I have used these 3 times now and love them. If you have one that is much too loose when it is slid in place, well I would be more inclined to reorder one that is a better fit than to t
Forum: rodboard

Jay Hunt Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > You got it ! Depending on the persons hand size > the lengths could be from 3" to about 6". I am > working an 8 ' Crankin rod now and the guy wants > the grip 6' long. Overall handle length from butt > to rear of seat is 12". He has hands like a > gorilla. That's what the man wants
Forum: rodboard

OK for a total newbie where would you point someone to start learning this kind of information, as I also bought several bargain rods at the ICRBE that were stripped of any identifying information. And I would really like to determine there most effective use.
Forum: rodboard

Is anyone else using Gutermann thread? If so where do you buy it. I have tried to find the colors he posted as having used and have had no luck.
Forum: rodboard

I agree with Bill 10" is a good starting point, but I am tall (6'6") and have long arms. And for this type of rod I definitely don't care if it is a little tip heavy because a bit shorter handle will avoid hanging up on loose clothing. Any rod that I am using for short casts, flipping, skipping, roll casts... I want a shorter handle. I put my elbow on the counter, stand the rod u
Forum: rodboard

I am anxious to hold the North Fork blanks and perhaps.... I saw one the other day a Bass Pro Shops in Concord, NC. Can't remember what the fellas name was that had a spinning rod made up with one and it was pretty darn light. Yep, I will stop by early as I just bought some older Helium blanks and need the 'stuff' for them!
Forum: rodboard

Let's just hope they brought lots of treats! I am anxious to sample the goodies, and wish I could go both days.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks everyone. So much for Kistler and with another premium vendor changing to not resell their blanks, the others have to be smilling.
Forum: rodboard

Is there a dealer that sells Kistler blanks? Either I am missing finding them on the links and or Internet searches or there really isn't a source for the new models. Does anyone know if there will be any available at the Expo?
Forum: rodboard

being a newbie myself, I practiced with high build and then bought low build to do my first rod. epoxy is not rocket science. mix slowly, and for 2-3 minutes and you will have no issues ASSUMING you mix it in the proper 50/50 ratio which is easy with the syringes. just apply it slowly and carefully it is easy enough. there are sooooo... many videos on the internet, just watch a few and go for
Forum: rodboard

Well being a rookie and having recently completed my first build, I would say the 'build' time took under 8 hours. But I had really practiced doing wraps on old rods. And I was real careful finding the spline marking everything, etc. But I did a Minima split grip,spiral wrap AFTER taping the guides on and testing and finding the layout for a traditional top mounted guides for a casting rod for
Forum: rodboard

I just built my first rod this past weekend, and I wear glasses. I will say the size depends on your choice of types of thread. I used size A for the main color and Metallic D for accents, and I found the D Metallic thread to be a real pain to deal with. Hard to pull the tag back through with only a couple of wraps as the thread wants to slip a bit. So while I got through the process, what I
Forum: rodboard