About a month ago, I completed a spinning build using the K-R Concept, 3+1 guide specification, for NFC's SJ 703 X-Ray (C602) blank. I have fished it extensively since then, and wanted to share my experiences and thought process building and fishing this guide specification with this rod. Seems to me, not much has been written about the 3+1 specification, especially with the 16H guide group, and
Forum: rodboard

I've read so many times of the disadvantage of the weight of masking tape arbors, but never weighed them. Until today. Two 3/4 inch arbors with wall thickness of .140 inch weight a total of .062 ounces. Yes, I know rigid polyurethane is better. Didn't have any and wanted to get on with the build. No, I've never had a failure of a masking tape arbor. I totally encapsulate mine and with my
Forum: rodboard

Batson will be at The Houston Fishing Show Feb.14th-18th. This show has been a bigger deal for us year after year so we're going even bigger for 2024! If you're going to be in the area be sure to attend. Hope to see you there! Get complete show details here: -This year the Batson crew is bringing the largest selection of rod blanks and components we've ever assembled. Over 250 blank model
Forum: rodboard

Hello, I've been building rods for personal use and since I live in the city they've all been 3pc mostly using Batson Revelation RX6 since I travel by motorcycle or plane to my fishing destinations. I did some research and it would appear my airline allows up to 2 rods + reels + tackle and counts them as a single checked item. I'm lucky to have status with them some years so even that checked
Forum: rodboard

Hi I'm doing research on how to build my first surf rod and my question is based on the article on Anglers Resource website titled "Building the KR Concept Spinning Rod" So I decided to go with the 11' Black Hole East Coast 2-6oz lure rated blank and build it according to the KR concept. The article suggests some guidelines like using the KL25H stripper if using lines greater 20lb
Forum: rodboard

Super confused. I’m measuring my reel spool diameter at 47 mm x 27 = 1,269mm. That converts to 49.9 inches. My rod I’m building on is 6’ in length so with those numbers I’m roughly left with 10” of rod for running guides (that’s a rough measurement. It may be an inch or two more or less.) Am I doing something wrong? I feel like that’s a small amount of space to put three running guides. Also,
Forum: rodboard

Hi. I was just wondering when or if torzite becomes a desirable material for guides? I’m fishing with 50lb braid and fighting lake sturgeons (anywhere from 2-5, maybe 6ft). I am having another rod built for me and can ask Erik K, but I’d like some input before I go to him. Does the torzite rings make the sensation of a fish bite more sensitive?
Forum: rodboard

Got my brand new C602 blank in from NFC last week and played with it a bunch this weekend. I wanted to post my thoughts on here. I got the St 10105-2, and the closest blank I have to compare it to is the St 1065-2 (HM). The 10105 is a MH ex-fast (1/2 - 1 and 1/2 --- 12-20lb), while the 1065 is MH moderate (3/8 to 1 and 1/2 --- 10-20lb). The 10105 weighed in at 86 grams on my scale, whil
Forum: rodboard

I know that United Composites is not a sponsor, but I do buy them from sponsors like GetBit Outdoors. I just finished another DHX series build and fished it. I really enjoy them when strength is more important than ultimate lightness. Mine have come straight and perfectly finished. They don’t have the advanced, smooth tapers of a St. Croix freshwater blank, but they are so much more pleasant to f
Forum: rodboard

Hi All! I am a brand new rodbuilder. Been a fly tyer for years and figured I would try my hand at some builds. My brother lives in Maui and I am building him a surf rod. There are no charts or info out there on handles and Guides for surf rods that I have found. I bought a Northfork composite blank. It is 138 inches long (11'1") and it is rated at 15-40 lbs Med Light, Fast action. The mode
Forum: rodboard

Hey Guys, I'm going to be building my 1st split grip spinning rod using cork if that matters and not sure on the reel seat location from the butt of the rod. The rod is a 7' NorthFolk SJ 703-1 (X-Ray LMX) blank, reel seat is an American Tackle APEX G2 Uni Lock Hood, and the reel is a PISCIFUN Carbon X 3000. Thanks in advance for any advice. Rick
Forum: rodboard

Been out of the game for about 10 years. Is the new guide concept still a good way to set up a spinning rod? I'm building a 2pc 10' spinner (SU1207F-2-MHX) for surf casting and using a van staal vr150 with 50lb braided line (12lb diameter in mono) with no connecting knots. I'm trying to build it as light as possible while being able to cast as far as possible. Also any suggestions on guides th
Forum: rodboard

I’ve seen several people talk of placing guides on straightest axis of blank vs finding the spine. What are the pros and cons of each and why one way or another? Thanks
Forum: rodboard

Please help me know what to buy, list what items (or a couple per category) you use. I have no idea what, out of the hundreds of each part, is a "good" or "Quality" product when I'm looking to buy everything I need to for a rod. Practically nothing online has any reviews on any website I look at. I'm sure there is some subjectivity to it all, like any product, but with ZERO
Forum: rodboard

What methodology do you use, if any at all? I usually go with what the manufacturer specifies for the blank and what's on the decal. I've found this to be useful as a starting point, and typically put the decal on the rod as a reference point for the maker, model number, etc. However, on SOME rods, I scratch my head about the lower and upper ends of the ratings listed on the decals. What works
Forum: rodboard

I’m going to build a jigging world ghost hunter popping rod and I’m looking for guide recommendations. I’ve had a factory popping rod with Fuji mnsg guides and was not a fan of how they controlled the line. I would like to stick with Fuji and use either Kw guides or try the RV-H guides
Forum: rodboard

I am building a long distance casting surf spinning rod. I have just purchased a 100% graphite, 2 piece, 12' blank. I intend building it with the yesteryear large SS guides similar to Mildrum guides from years gone by. The blank will have four guides, 70mm, 60mm, 50mm and 40mm. Can anyone tell me the spacing dimensions for the guides from the butt or reel seat? Also, any suggestion o
Forum: rodboard

In a recent topic of mine seeking info of Sabre rods, Russell Brunt replied with an observation / question “There were a lot of great rod blanks from the past. I find it interesting as to which ones were prized the most by time period and area of the country” and “I'd love to hear what were your "go to" blanks from the past and for what waters/fish. Also how you feel they stack up to cu
Forum: rodboard

Hello to everyone. I am not new to rod building though I have not built any in a couple of years. The project at hand is building an 11’ foot surf spinning rod 3 to 6 oz. on and older used blank. The reel I have chosen is the monster Penn 10500. I plan to load it 50lb mono backing and 65lb power pro braid. This will allow for plenty of strength and length for those initial runs. I am consi
Forum: rodboard

Hello all, new to rod building here and have a question regarding guide placement and the line angle. It is my understanding that while doing a static load test by bending the rod to a ninety degree angle that you are supposed to place the guides on a spinning setup so that you minimize the angle of the line between the guide and the blank, trying to keep it as parallel with the rod blank as
Forum: rodboard

Novice/hobby rod builder here...On the handful of rods I've done, I have noticed that when the reel is mounted they feel "tip heavy." This doesn't necessarily bother me but I would like to know if there is a way to counteract this without adding a lot of overall weight to the rod. For reference, I live in the Ozarks and mostly like building UL/L/ML spinning rods in the 5 1/2 to 6 1/2
Forum: rodboard

I'm building an 11' pompano rod using Fuji LC guides. And I'm not sure how to fit the top section on my Flex coat wrapper. Even if I shim the end of the blank to fit in the rubber grommet I won't be able to move the thread carriage close enough to the first guide on that section of blank. Any ideas on how I can move the blank away from the motor and also fit it into the rubber chuck. This section
Forum: rodboard

I built a Judge 7' L spinning rod with a guide train of 30, 16, 12, 10, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, and an 8 tip top. It casts very well for my purposes but was wondering what would happen if after the 12 I went to all 10's. The reason being is that I find when I tie on a leader larger then 40lb the knot size gets to a size where you feel it really hitting the guides. Will this significantly change casting
Forum: rodboard

If you do not have the American Tackle Ti-Forged guides in your rod building arsenal, you are MISSING OUT.. * Black and silver frames available in stainless steel and titanium * 316SS or solid Titanium alloy frames * Featuring a new modern look with a snagless design to reduce tangling. * Snagless frame designs in spinning and casting configurations * Hardened frames for extreme st
Forum: rodboard

So I'm building a heavy 11ft surf rod for a friend of mine using Fuji KW guides. The set I have is 30-25-20-12-8s to the tip. The problem I'm having is where to put the first guide and so forth. The reel will be a size 6500 Daiwa with 65lb braid so in the GPS I clicked on the Saltist 6500H with KW guide system and it says a size 30 KW should go 18.5 inches from the front of the reel seat. Sure
Forum: rodboard

Hello, I blew the dust off an old 10’ Penn surf rod to use at the beach in a couple of weeks and I got the wild idea to replace the guides, after this trip of course. The specs say the rod’s rated for 2 to 5oz lures and 20 to 30lbs line. I’m wondering if anyone has built an equivalent rod using KL-H guides. Currently the rod has double foot guides from the stripper to the last runner. I’m not
Forum: rodboard

All, I've been using the nail knot method for making trim bands on the guide wraps. They're not too hard to do and pretty quick but I can't seem to get a nice clean look with them. I get little nibs near the knot because I'm having difficulty getting a clean cut with the metallic thread. My razor blade is new but I still have the same problem. What method do you guys use to get a nice clean cu
Forum: rodboard

14 ft rod. Guy wants guides every 6 in. Making that 21 guides and double wrapped at 3 inches for bottom. Is that. A ridiculous amount of eyes
Forum: rodboard

My current build is a Sage Sonic blank in a 7 weight, after building lots of fly and spinning rods over the last 30 years or so i got thinking today, what would stop me from using single leg guides through out the whole rod. Using larger single leg guides for the stripping guides, advantages/disadvantages. thought please. and many thanks in advance Bryan
Forum: rodboard

Has anyone used the Gen 4 epoxy on a white rod? I'm wondering if it has a blue tint to it after its mixed, seems to me that it would. What your favorite finish for non-yellowing?
Forum: rodboard