What can be added to the marbling epoxy to thicken it quickly?
Forum: rodboard

Does Permagloss attack the Tru-Oil finish on bamboo fly rods? I know I can test it on another surface coated with Tru-Oil, but if someone reports that it does attack Tru-Oil, I won't bother. thanks
Forum: rodboard

I use both Flex Coat and Threadmaster high build finishes. I like them both and can’t decide which I like best. It’s been a while since I bought some new Flex Coat and just purchased some last week. I used it last night and it seemed like it had a different oder, a lot stronger. Just wondering if they changed something in it or am I just getting wacky in my old age. Anyone else notice this new od
Forum: rodboard

What is the best finish for a turned burl fly seat? It is stabilized and I'm looking for a nice gloss finish. Is epoxy acceptable or permagloss. Thanks as always
Forum: rodboard

Good Morning Guys and Girls! I guess I'm going to start a food fight. Once again I've been struggling with my finishes. I was just so frustrated and just genuinely puzzled. Either my skills have diminished over the decades, which I'm sure they have, or things have really changed. Let me start by detailing how I performed my finishing routine for the first 3 decades I built custom rods. Up unti
Forum: rodboard

I’m familiar with the regular and high build pro kote but I’ve been thinking of trying flexcoat. The question I have is flexcoat better or the same? Or is there a different brand I should use?
Forum: rodboard

I'd really like to hear from the experienced builders out there about their favorite choice for snake guides. Ive built rods using standard and lite wire snakes in several different finishes and from different manufacturers. In all honesty I don't see much difference in performance but I haven't been doing this long enough to see how they all hold up. I'd like to know the performance and durabil
Forum: rodboard

I'm new to rod building, have built 6 or 7 rods, have not used any color preserver because my thread is colorfast..... nonetheless I'm thinking I could get a better result with color preserver. What are the differences between them, and which do you use and why? Thanks for responses. Sid
Forum: rodboard

Some years ago, I'd guess 8 or so, St. Croix changed their SC-V blanks from what i think they called Spruce Green Matte finish to some other colors and finishes. This weekend, I deposited my favorite home made rods in a lovely, fast moving creek logjam, for someone else to find later in the year.. I'm looking for at least two 6 1/2 spinning light blanks and one 6 1/2 spinning medium light in th
Forum: rodboard

Hello all, I am looking to try some different varnishes on my fly rod projects. What is your favorite varnish and where is it available? Thanks kindly, Jesse Shipe
Forum: rodboard

Does a high build epoxy exist that has good bubble release and long pot life. I use Flex Coat High Build love the characteristics of the epoxy but, the pot life @#$%& and the bubble release isn't the greatest. Thank you. Ps I hate light builds or even medium ones.
Forum: rodboard

Sorry if its been answered but my searches have yet to show any threads that describe why people say not to use it Why does it have a bad wrap (pun intended) LOL What does it do that makes people not want to use it other than help maintain thread color? Is it simply aesthetics or does it some how mechanically affect the bond of the epoxy?
Forum: rodboard

For my first build, should I buy the high build or lite finish? I like the uniform thin finish look where you can see the wraps instead of the big uniform blob look - if you know what I mean. It will be a medium/dark blue blank with dark blue wraps and a metallic trim band - so I am thinking I don't need a CP, right? Help me but the right stuff - thanks!
Forum: rodboard

Hello to all, New to the site and to rod building I would like to get started but not sure where to start.i thought about purchasing a starter kit but all kits say there the best.I want this to be a hobby not a job.advice ,tips,anything really would be great so I can get started. Thank you in advance..... Craig
Forum: rodboard

Hi everyone. Like most others i started fly fishing and before long i was tying my own flies. Naturally, i have come to the point where I am ready to build my own rod. I have done lots of research and i'm leaning towards buying the im7 fly rod kit from Cabelas. I like that it has everything i need including instructions. I don't want to spend a fortune on my blanks and other supplies for my first
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I am very green to rod building and just completed my second.I have been using pro kote and am curious as to which finish is your favorite?
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I just finished my 10wt last night and i used Threadmaster. I really liked it! I used Flex Coat on the 1st rod an it was good but Threadmaster was much better. I felt it leveled better had longer pot life and released bubbles easier. I found it to me more forgiving and gave a better final look. If you are new to rod building try Theadmaster out! You will love it
Forum: rodboard

NEED HELP HERE GUYS ALL RESPONCES WILL BE APPRECIATED What is the best finish to put on a turned wood pole handles or reel seat , Im looking for a high gloss finish , ive tryed light epoxy and turning them , but it keeps giveing me less then perfect results , Id like to hear what you think the best finish is for wood handles and the technique
Forum: rodboard

Well - I fell for the Diamond II hype. I was really looking forward to a good experience. My work area may have been too warm - 75 degrees. But it never was too warm for TM With TM I would divide the batch into 3 portions - put two in the freezer and let "thaw" and warm for use. I rarely had to use freezer batches other than to touch-up. Did the same with Dia. II. Had to use a
Forum: rodboard

I was wondering what is the best finish coat to use.. Or at least which is the easiest one for a beginner to use to get the best results?
Forum: rodboard

The overwhelming majority of mass marketed products today are parity products. They use the same raw materials, components,and engineering. They differ mainly in advertising, marketing and pricing. This being said, what do you propose to be in reality, as opposed to hype, the most innovative and distinctive product to become available to rod builders in the past two years or so?
Forum: rodboard

Has anyone used the Gudebrod one part rod finish much? If so, how does it hold up over the long haul? Also - I just noticed they have a one-part, water based rod glue!!! Has anyone ever tried it? Thanks, Marc
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Im looking into getting another type of finish, Ive had too much trouble with Flexcoat Lite...any recommendations?
Forum: rodboard

Okay, sorry for such a stupid question. But seriously, is it best to pay for a class? Can one get by reading some books? I can handle wrapping guides but don't have a clue on diamond wraps and such. Mudhole offered a class in Fort Lauderdale but it was sold out by the time I found out about it. Perhaps there is a member here in the Hollywood, Florida area that would be willing to help? Or
Forum: rodboard

So I don't have to buy one of each I would like to know what the favorites are for thread wrapping finishes and why .... so far I have only used Flex Coat High Build but I thknk there may be better options for micro guides - I ordered some Permagloss today to try.
Forum: rodboard

Fishsticks is packing up and getting ready to travel. The founding fathers of Fishticks, Ray and Robert, will join us for the show so not only will we have several thousand beautiful blanks, guides, finishes, dynamite new colored handles and reel seats, and thread galore, are our favorite folks will be there! Our huge order of CTS blanks are in Louisville, Kentucky clearing Customs at this mome
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What are all you guys using for coating your wood handles?
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Just to let you guys up north (I am in PA) know that I heated my work area up to 75 degrees and then started my finish process and had no problems. The pitting I had experienced was due to the finish being too thick in my 58 degree basement and even though I lightly warmed the "resin" part by the time it got on the rod it was already cooling down so my bubbles were rising and popping bu
Forum: rodboard

Swifty Manufacturing is pleased to release our Marbling Kits for sale for the first time. It was a product that I had been working on for the last 2 years and am extremely happy with the results. The Diamondite Marbling Kit was a sell out at the show. It is a true pigment that is dispersed in a base that is common to all of the epoxy rod finishes and my Diamondite Rod Finish. It is highly
Forum: rodboard

Hello Everyone !, I've decided to try my hand at rod building again after a hiatus of 10+/- years. I'm going to start by finishing the blanks I have on hand. I have a G. Loomis GL3 that I've already glued up a handle on and a few others, including an All-Star and several Fenwicks, some of which are blems. I can't believe I didn't finish the Loomis! What a slacker. I realize I have a great d
Forum: rodboard