How would you tie off the HT Braid? Some of it looks way cool and I might try it.
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I realize this is a very basic question, but how tight should guide wraps be? Is there anyway kind of method to determine this? Should they be just enough not to sag? Should they be firm or tight? Words such as tight, no too tight, etc. are so arbitrary. Thanks
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Can someone suggest some materials I can use for tie-off loops? Anyone ever use 5x or 6x tippet material? I also tie flies so I have a lot of stuff.
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Mike and All! I'm new and therefore did not realize that most guides are made of ceramics. For the record, I am all for manufacturers making money. My idea of building rods is to build a quality rod for less money than the manufacturers. I don't want the cheapest components nor do I want the most expensive. I want what I can afford.
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Ceramic guides seem to be very expensive. Are there other guides that are cheaper and wear well?
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The reason I'm looking at a dremel tool is because I live in an apartment and don't own any power tools, drills, etc. I'm trying for the cheapest and most convenient method. What number Dimond discs should I buy for the dremel? Thanks
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I'm buying a dremel tool today to grind guide feet. What grit sandpaper should I buy to do the job? Also, I need something to hold the dremel so I can be hands free to hold the guides, any ideas? Thanks!
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Thanks Ron & Tim! I meant $3 each. How about a medium action rod? I would like a mid-flex for nymphing--a 9ft. 6wt. You sound as if you have plenty of experience and a good opinion. Thanks again, Bruce
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I have 2 questions. 1. Can anyone suggest single foot ceramic guides for under $3.00? Do they exist? 2. Anyone recommend a 9ft., 6 wt blank for me? I like a slower rod for nymphing; like a moderate flex or medium flex. I was thinking of the St. Croix II, but I have one of their 5 wts., and it feels very stiff to me. I was thinking in the $50 - $60 range. I posted this question before
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Hi Andrew! Thanks for the reply. I'm very new to this hobby/craft. Are you telling me all I need is size 6 guides for the entire length of the rod? That sure will make it easier when I order components. Thanks
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I was wondering, why couldn't you use the same dryer set up as a finisher, too?
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Would it be ok to put Recoil or any single foot guides on a 9ft., 6wt. rod?
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I saw a hand held guidefoot grinder on this site somewhere. It was about $25. Anybody have any ideas as to how they smooth their guidefeet?
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Thanks, Tom! I was never told anything about reaming a cork handle -- just to ream it. I learned through experience that I can't just use one size reamer. I thought I was just using the file wrong. Wow! That's a big problem solved for me.
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I'm sorry! I didn't see the drop down menu on the Mudhole site. I see the razorwands come in fine, medium and coarse grits and different diameters. Do I buy them to match the diameter of the butt end of the rod I'm building? Nobody ever told me much about reaming the cork. I've been using tape as a shim to fill the gaps between the cork and rod blank.
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I'd like to purchase razorwands for reaming cork handles but I am not sure what sizes would generally be enough. Mudhole has small, medium and large in 9 different sizes. I'm sure I don't need all of them. Please advise.
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Hi Bill: Thanks for the opinion. Here's another question: Do you think a stiff rod can contribute to breaking fish off? As I said before, I have an SC Imperial that I won. It's stiff and I blamed it for breaking tippet off more than I ever have before. On the hand, I was wondering if the tippet was using at the time was old and brittle.
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I am looking to build a 9-foot, 6WT rod. Would you say most people prefer a moderate action rod blank for nymphing? I have an 8 1/2' St. Croix Imperial 5 wt., which seems too stiff for my likes. I am looking for a blank that's not stiff, but not whippy. Anybody care to throw a few suggestions my way? Thanks
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Wow! What does OD in the article mean? Is it the outer diameter of the spool?
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Hi Tom K. I read your article and have a few questions. Do you use the same size guides from the intersect point to the tip top. I read they're placed every 4 inches. How do you determine their size for ordering? Being that the stripping guide is 17 to 23 inches from the handle, how do you measure the guides to the intersection? How do you know what size stripping guide to buy? Is it measur
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Gee, I'm sorry Bill. I should have looked there first.
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Hi Dick! Your newly built equipment looks great. Do you have directions for building the rod dryer? I'd like to build one to see if I like it better than turning my own blanks. If you have directions you could send them to my e-mail address. Thanks
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Hi All! I've been gone for awhile. I hope everyone's well. Question: Mike Barkley has been a great help to me with rod building and deciding on a spin rod blank and components for my newphew. Is building and wrapping a spinning rod any different than a fly rod? Is the building sequence the same? I've done 3 fly rods and they've gotten better each time, but I've never attempted a spin rod. He li
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Hi Tom! Try this: Earl Sanderson, 717-734-3692. His canoe place is near the Port Royal Bridge. He bought out Miller's Canoe near Mifflintown. I called him and he is taking reservations. Also, there are campgrounds in the area. I don't think Port Royal is far from Lewistown on Route 22. I hope this helps. Thanks, Bruce
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Anyone have any suggestions on purchasing a blank and components for making a spinning rod for my nephew. He loves to fish for smallmouths on the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers in Pennsylvania. Is building a spinning rod much different than making a fly rod?
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Thanks, Dave!
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I'm going to use a waterbased acrylic paint on a base coat of Crystal Coat to sign my rod. The base coat is drying now. After I sign the rod tonight, how long does the signature have to dry before putting on the final coat? I figure if I sign it tonight and put on the last coat of finish, the rod will be fishable by Saturday morning.
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Thanks, Ed! One of these days I'll show you the rod and you can decide what happened for yourself after an inspection.
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Thanks, Ed! One of these days I'll show you the rod and you can decide what happened for yourself after an inspetioni.
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Hi Tom! I have the grey pad and used it last night. I signed my name with a quill pen and acrylic waterbased paint directly on the rod. If I redo it and place a coat of epoxy down first, would I have time to put another final coat on it so it can be used this Saturday. Saturday is the traditioinal oepning day of fishing in PA. I want to present the rod to my nephew on that day.
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