Hello to everyone! I got a hold of some balsa wood that I cut into 1 1/2"x1/2" rings. I'm thinking about trying it for a handle. Maybe after shaping, try a little stain? Have any of you tried this. If so how did ti work? Thanks!Patrick
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I make up my cork handle parts on a 1/4" stainless steel mandrel and turn them before removing the part for reaming and fitting to the blank. I have all kinds of problems getting the bore to stay perfectly central as I remove quite a bit of material to get some of the parts to fit my blanks. I am tempted to think the residual epoxy in the 1/4" bore is deflecting the reamers &/or d
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Fish just broke my second Sage rod of the summer. The first one was old, so I just sent it in with reel seat and cork grip still attached. But the second rod I just finished three weeks ago and cork and reel seat are still in perfect condition. Question is, how do I get them off the blank still intact so I can use them on the replacement blank?
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I have made about 20 such handles for the custom rods I build and they look really nice after their finished with polyuthane varnish. But would like to know if there is a better product to use on them to let the grain of the wood and the color of the fiberglass come out better. Also have trouble doing some fancy wrapping near the butt section can anyone help me get my wrapping better.
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I am in the process of revamping my shop. I've had my wood lathe set up in a separate room up to now to try and keep the dust down. But I need the outside room to keep my boat in and there is not enough room for boat, accessories, and lathes. I would like to have everything in one room, but I really can't afford a full blown dust collection system now (have to make some electrical service chan
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What a great web site! I've been building rods for myself and friends for a while now and I would like to further expand my hobbie. I just can't figure out what I should charge them. I don't want ot price them too high, I want thyem to sell. Most guys won't pay $300 or more for a rod. I guess I just don't know what to charge for my time. Any suggestions!
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I have a couple of 80's vintage Winstons which are showing their age, chiefly soiled cork and worn finish on the wood handle inserts. Any suggestions for the easiest way to clean up the cork and refinish the wood inserts without taking anything apart. In particular, how to remove the old finish and what material to use to refinish. Thanks for your help.
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I did a search for something totally unrelated and came up with the topic of balancing a rod, which I read along with the threads. Here's what I do, for what it's worth. #1.If I don't need much weight. I got a sheet of 1/8" - 12X12 sheet of lead. Cut a strip the width & length you need to make a "tape" and wrap it around under the butt cap area. #2. This is my latest. Get
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I have just finished turning a cork handle for a fly rod (the first that I have built) and I would like suggestions for filing the cork and sealing it. One source suggests mixing cork "dust" with wood glue and then applying a water-based polymer sealer that can be obtained from the hardware store. The wood glue/cork "dust" filler is easy enough, but I don't know which sealer
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I would like to know the proper method of inlaying feathers on wood foregrips that I make. What is the adhesive to use and still retain the natural look of the feather?
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I have been using regular Flex-Coat on all the rods I have built (7 total). It seems that I get "good" results at best. There is always some little flaw that arises: dimples in the finish, clouding, uneveness. I have gone to EXTREME care to avoid all the pitfalls of dust, contamination, room temperature. I know some of it may be operator error, but I need my finish to be perfect, or as
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My only experience on a lathe is with metal. My question is about grind angle on the tool for turning reel seat inserts. Would a grind angle of 7 to 10 degrees be good for wood? I have looked at some wood gouges and most look nothing like tools for a metal lathe, roughing gouges are "U" shaped.
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Thank you to all who responded to my last post about rod building. I am now trying to decide between the Cabelas Premium PT Fly Rod Kit or the Hook and Hackle Beginners IM6 Graphite Rod Building kit. I am mostly looking for a comparison of quality between these two kits. Like the quality of blanks, guides, warranty, and glues and finishes. Thanks to anyone who responds Adam
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I am just a hobbist trying to build a few rods for close family and friends. I recently bought a lathe and shaped a few handles from walnut and cedar. However, I am having great difficutly getting a nice finish on the handles. I have tried 2 different epoxies with the same results. When I brush the epoxy on, the brush creates numerous bubbles which do not come out. I have tried loading the b
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