Hey All - I posted some quick (and dirty, sorry - not a photographer) pics of my first attempts at urethane foam cored composite skinned grips. I put up one fly grip and one casting split grip. This stuff is easy and a lot of fun. Thanks very much to Andy, Tom and RM for another priceless article on a technique I never would have been aware of or been able to execute if not for the magazine
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That foam grips were never invented. This forum is beginning to turn into Foambuilding.org
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How do you guys feel about the foam cored grips? I mean after the excitement and novelty of trying new things wears out. Im seeeing it as more work for the rod builder, having to flock the core is just an extra step and more work. Be it material spray flocking, carbon flocking or whatever else becomes of this. On one hand I guess you could charge more for the extra labor involved. That defeats
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For those interested in pouring a lighter 6 lb foam grip instead of the 8lb. I talked with Us Composites to find out if combining equal volumes of different formulas would allow me to do this The answer is: Yes If you take one oz of part A 8 lb. formula, and one oz of part A 4 lb. formula Mix with One oz. part B 8 lb. formula, and one part B 4 lb. formula You end up with 6 lb
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If you are not using a rod in center as Tom showed in the mag. article Following is a different method for poring foam that so far has yielded perfect grips every time, with little waste. First; purchase 5 ft. or more of thin wall PVC pipe in what ever size you want to work with. I have been using 1-1/4in. and 1in. (less waste then 1-1/2 pipe) A coupling and a slip on cap. If using 1
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Hi all, I have been hanging around for awhile but have only built a couple of rods. I have a Rainshadow isb780 and want to build a spinning rod. It will be used for bass and mostly from a Kayak.I would like some advice on a handle. I was thinking about a tennesse handle but not sure if I would like it or not. Thanks for any advice you can give me on this rod. Jack
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No matter how good the information, nor how tried and trued the method or process might be, when you publish information in a magazine the best you can do it just put it out there. You can’t control what people will do with it, how well they might follow it nor how skilled they might be. Two cooks can take the exact same recipe and while one uses it to make a delicious cake, the other could v
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Need some help, Just ordered the urethane foam. Was wondering if you would share with me some information. Will be using 11/2inch pvc piping. though about using a one foot long peice of piping to pour into. Question? How much mixture should i mix up for this. Not fixed on the length of pipe can change, need some sugestions from someone who has done this. Can pour more than one pipe at a time if t
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Tom/Andy, Have either of you played with polyester resins for the wet layup of the composite grips? I've found that US Composites makes a clear polyester resin that has UV inhibitors and is designed for surfboard construction. Just curious as to possible benefits of epoxy vs. polyester or vice/versa. Thanks!
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I just got my first issue of RM and man, am I glad I got this one! What an outstanding publication. Just finished reading the two article set by Andy and Tom about the new grips. Simply INCREDIBLE! The sky is the limit with that one. I fish and build mostly light fly rods and light spinning gear, so this application is perfect for me and my rods. I agree with everything said. It is light, stro
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I poured my first grips last night and had a great result. I poured 6 and 8 # and it went great. The only thing i learned is its expanding rate is just rediculous. Other then that the articles are spot on as far as how toos and use. It's really fun. Next is turning will keep you informed here.
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Just to let you guys know, we are now stocking the 1.5" x 12" blocks of Urethane foam core material mentioned in the article on carbon fiber grips I recently wrote for RodMaker. Normally foam like this is only available in large sheets making it quite cost prohibitive. This rigid foam in 4lb and 6lb density is fantastic for use a s a core material under carbon, or as a platform for flo
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I'll echo the sentiments I've seen here: the carbon fiber grip article in the current Rodmaker is outstanding. It's really opened my eyes, and I think I'm going to give it a shot. While reading the article and looking at the pictures, I kept thinking of surfboards. The article mentions that the process is similar to how surfboards are made, and what I couldn't get out of my mind when I finish
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Found Andy's article to be very interesting and decided to look up carbon sleeves and look what I found - check out the latest cover of RodMaker Magazine. Like Andy said the sleeves are rather inexpensive but I was wondering the initial costs for the foam and different epoxies?
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Shane, I have not inlayed any cork grips since about 1995. All I do now is the encapsulated grips and hozels. If you are going to High Point, George Harris will have a display case with my encapsulated grips at his booth and they are for sale. Sorry I did not E-Mail you direct but something is wrong with my computer, I can receive E-Mail and post here on the board but can not send E-Mail. Jesse
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To cast something you need a mold in which to cast it. I have found the one to one mold making rubber sold by Micro-Mark works best of all the products I have tried for this step. First thing to do is make a full scale model of the grip or hozel that you want to cast. You can use foam or cork on a mandrel of 1/2" or 3/4" PCV pipe. Coat the model with 2 or 3 coats of rod finish to pro
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Daiwa came out with their new Exist rods which are beautiful and quite 'tricked out'. Anyways, my interest is in the foam that they use for grips which is very stiff and yet lighter than cork and EVA. Anyone know what this foam really is? You can read about it here: Thanks, Mo
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I have thought about this a few times before... but after recieving cork rings from 2 different suppliers in the last week... both advertised as "premium flor grade" (when it should have been advertised as "lathe practice material" instead) and priced pretty high, and both sets were substandard IMO. The basswood handle post from this evening intrigued me since I'm a longtime
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There have been numerous posts on the subject of cork quality, grading, price and availibility on the board in the last few days. I do not think that any builders have knowlege of just how big of a cost item cork is to manufacturers. It has even gotten to the point where manufacturers are "faking" cork and marketing it to the buying public. I really consider some of the tactics being
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Hi all Just starting my second rod - a salt water spin. I tried to install a gimbal but am having some difficulty. I know the info I am asking about has been published in the Rod Building Mag but since I don' t yet subscribe to it nor have I found any detailed info on the subject in any of the reference material I have on how to properly install a gimbal thought I'd ask for some assistance.
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