Thanks guys, I talked this over with the boss and she is leaning towards the Danvise and a workbench. I guess I'll go along with her, for now.
Forum: rodboard

I'm not much of a fly fisher (can't get the darn things to bite on a spinner!) but my son is starting to get into fly tying and I was looking for opinions on some good intermediate vises for him. Something in the 50-$100 range. I saw a Dan vise, is that any relation to Dan Craft?
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One thing to remember when drilling through the blank, go VERY,VERY slow. Take your time and remove the shavings often, allowing the blank and drill bit to cool.
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Go with Jim's loom. I have one and should have bought at least one more size. (He recommended it, but like most times, I ignored great advice) They're easy to use and won't break the bank.
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Josh, take a look at Mark's work on the photo pages. He isn't a rod builder as such, but more of a craftsman, a very good one at that. I second the opinion that I would be forever grateful to have one of his works of art, especially his "Eastern Steelhead Kit". Take a look at these photos.
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I use a caliper to measure the top points on the blank where rear and fore grip will sit, and drill the hole all the way through with a bit that is the next smaller size. Then I use a round file to bore from the bottom to the top to get the handle to slide all the way down. Depending on the taper of the blank, sometimes I'll use two different sized drill bits, one for the top and one for the
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I purchased the Pac Bay a few years ago. Very good system for the money ( I don't particularly care for the tension device either though). There was no way I could justify the Renzetti, still couldn't. But I did go out and purchase a Jet mini lathe a few weeks ago for turning wood handles, cork handles, pens, small bowls etc.etc. For the same money as a Renzetti, I feel that I have a better r
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The only blue spinning blanks that I've been able to find is a light blue St Croix SCIV or V, I can't remember which off hand. But at around $100 per blank it's well above what you want to spend anyway. (Sage makes a gorgeous blue fly blank in their Xi2 line, really pricey) Forecast used to make a blue spinning blank, 2003 models if I remember right, I see that Schnieders Rod shop has some cl
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Stay with the Corp colors. I think that you have enough blue already, I would leave out the blue on the wraps and go with trying to match the red and yellow as close to the Marine colors as possible. I've been looking at that blank and thinking about building it in Boise State University colors, but I don't think that I want to add any more blue with the wraps, and mostly orange wraps are a lit
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I just got a new Pac Bay catalogue in the mail today and I see that they have some new guide rings. They are calling them TiOX Blue. I was wondering if anybody has actually seen these yet and if any of the sponsors have them in stock and what the price difference between these new guides and the "old" Tigold guides are. Thanks, Jay
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Thanks for your post Bill. I've always been very satisfied with your products and especially your customer service. I 've purchased forecast fly , spin and steelhead blanks, and the same rainshadow blanks. The forecast blanks are a good value, but the rainshadows are well worth the extra few bucks. Please tell your team to keep up the good work and thanks for the outstanding products that th
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Dave, get ahold of Jim Kastorff. I purchased a loom from him about a year ago. It is very economical, durable, and easy to use. He'll also send a few of his weaves with the purchase.
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