Hello everyone, This is my first post so I apologize in advance if this has been covered in the past; I couldn't find it while searching the forum. I am new to rod building and I am also new to a South Bend 9A lathe that I bought a few months ago. I would like to shape some cork handles but need a little help getting started. I would assume that my lathe's chuck would damage the rod b
Forum: rodboard

I am just getting into this rod building thing. I am wondering how I can go about trying to mimic those rods that have cork within the handle of the reel seat. I find this really comfortable. The most comfortable rod that I own is a G.Loomis GLX that has what Loomis calls a "reverse" reel seat. I am wondering if I can just use a split reel seat like a Fuji Sk2 and then incorpora
Forum: rodboard

Plan on doing a few fly rod builds this winter and am doing research on the required tools. On the cork turning, I'm seeing two methods 1. Make handle off of blank, set up rings on a 1/4 threaded rod or plain steel rod, clamp together, and when dry you can throw the rod into the drill, drill into a vise, and sand away. Probably the easiest method. Have seen some say that you shouldnt use the r
Forum: rodboard

Building my first 10 wt, with a 4" spey type grip below the reel seat. The grip uses a threaded rod extension - cork glues on to long shaft part, and threaded end screws in to threaded insert that is glued in to bottom of reel seat. My question is this - the thread adapter that glues in the bottom of the reel seat is about an inch long give or take (don't have it here to measure). It's
Forum: rodboard

Here is a picture of an upgraded Alps headstock where the stock motor had been replaced with a DC motor and XL cogged belts and pulleys. The small motor is in the base below the headstock shaft. Be safe
Forum: rodboard

I got the idea for this thread from another recent thread where a member was wondering if he were to use a blank in the $50 price range to build a rod, would it compare to a $200 factory rod. His thread, and some of the questions I've gotten from friends and family got me wondering ..... how much would one of the rods I've built, cost me to have someone build? So I'd like to lay out my most r
Forum: rodboard

I have been designing and building rod lathes for several years now. My last lathe used an old sewing machine motor using the foot pedal that came with it and a dimmer switch you use on an overhead light in your house to give me finer control over the motor speed. It works OK, but still not the control I would like. I use 12V DC gear motors for my drying rack, also with variable speed control.
Forum: rodboard

What is the best way to apply rod finish to a wood grip?
Forum: rodboard

Is regular eastern cedar fine for use in making reel seat inserts? It seems hardy enough outdoors and not quick to rot so I have some and thought it would be allright for seat inserts. Seems lightweight to. I plan to finish it with Truoil or something like that. Thx.
Forum: rodboard

Probably a stupid question but I am going to ask anyways. I read about rod builders gluing up their handles on the blank and then turning the blank to shape the cork. Well to day I did that and it turned out great. Now I want to glue a piece of dark burl cork on the end of the handle (this will act as my butt) and turn that down to match the rest of the cork. My stupid question is - how do I s
Forum: rodboard

I have a 7" cork grip that I would like to cut down to 6.5" prior to installation on an ultra lightweight fly rod blank. Can anyone offer tips on how to make the cut (at the top because the bottom is cutout for the reel seat) and then sand down the edge so that it is rounded a bit. What to use for the cut and then what grit sandpaper, and any other tips appreciated! Thanks in advance
Forum: rodboard

Has anyone used anything other than Permagloss, Lumaseal or epoxy to finish a carbon fiber handle? What about Minwax clear urethane or helmsman spar urethane? Does anyone use anything else on regular basis other than PG or Lumaseal?
Forum: rodboard

Made some fly rod inserts and saved the drilling till last . Big mistake , With no other tools than a drill press and a lathe that does not have the proper accessories for drilling, Im stumped. Ive tried the forestner drill and several wood drills with some success but not good enough.In goto search there is a suggestion to use a unibit as a center drill then ream out the center to fit a forestn
Forum: rodboard

Want to darken some cork handles what do you suggest? Tried the U40 product
Forum: rodboard

Does anyone turn their own wood reel seats for fly rods? I am not sure how to get started. i have pen turning mandrels. Im not sure if these will work. And if so where do i get the bushings?
Forum: rodboard

Howdy Figured I would start with a little intro and background on myself before I just started posting up newbie questions here. I currently reside in Saint Helens, OR and have lived here for about 12 years or so now. Prior to that I have lived in various states across the country. I am originally from Yuma, AZ which, other than here, was where I spent the most time in one place. For a
Forum: rodboard

Since there are lots of turners here I was wondering if anyone had any strong preferences for a 4 jaw chuck for a Grizzly model 8690 mini wood lathe. I got this one cheap from someone who did pen turning. I think this one has a compression /spindle fitting (that is stuck)
Forum: rodboard

From what i have read i see split grips are popular with the bass fisherman. What bass fishing technique, if any that you might prefer no split grip and why? Thanks, Roger
Forum: rodboard

I am new to the open water rod building world but have built quite a few ice rods. However, turning a full custom cork ring handle is something I am both excited and nervous for. I am building a couple rods with custom cork rings handles and would like to turn them directly on the blank. I know using Titebond III is ideal for gluing rings to create a minimal seam, however, that won’t work in
Forum: rodboard

I'm interested in making my own grips and was wondering if you think the grizzy hobby lathe tool would fit the bill? Looks like its a new item. Just not sure what features i need in a tool like that to make cork grips. thanks, mark
Forum: rodboard

I am new to this forum, but been building rods since about 1975. I build them as gifts mostly, but our TU chapter here in Omaha has just started a chapter of Project Healing Waters, and I am designing a rod for that group. I would like to build the handle from cottonwood bark and highlight it with burnt cork and colored trim rings of the Healing Waters colors. I have tried using the same mater
Forum: rodboard

In the use of plastics in the auto industry, there are glass-filled plastics and talc-filled plastics. The molten plastic has the reinforcing materials introduced to provide higher strength and toughness to the finished injection molded parts. I've not seen it, but it shoudl be easy to add glass fibers to epoxy or wrap epoxy when mixing it to provide a similar enhancement to strength. Has anyo
Forum: rodboard

As of 2/12/15 EXHIBITORS/VENDORS AFTCO Mfg. American Tackle Angler Resource/Fuji Archie’s Custom Rod Handles Batson/Rainshadow/ALPs Black Hole USA Boomerang Retrieval Devices Century Composites Cousin's Tackle (Rod Blanks) CTS (Composite Tube Systems) Cork4Us Custom Fish Lure Grips Custom Fly Grips DBlue Fishing Decal Connection Ed's Thr
Forum: rodboard

Can anybody tell me where I can get a motor and foot pedal for a lathe for a good price? I'm setting up a new shop in Delray Beach, FL and don't want to spend a fortune. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Forum: rodboard

On a custom Tennessee handle with alternating natural cork and burnt or burl cork rings for durability, and using graphite slip rings to hold the reel on, will the reel stay snug all season, or will it still loosen regularly? Not asking about tape or wrapping a reel on as an option, just staying with the slip rings. I built a few last season but only got to fish them a little, so looking for
Forum: rodboard

Hello All, When it comes to cork turning, listening to the whine of a corded drill in my home-made lathe is getting old. I have been thinking about upgrading to a capacitor start AC motor-driven setup, (such as is used in the old Sears Craftsman saws and lathes) as these type motors seem to be plentiful and priced within my budget. My idea is to connect the motor to mandrel by using pulley
Forum: rodboard

As of 12/15/14 AFTCO Mfg. American Tackle Angler Resource/Fuji Archie’s Custom Rod Handles Batson/Rainshadow/ALPs Century Composites Cousin's Tackle (Rod Blanks) CTS (Composite Tube Systems) Cork4Us Custom Fish Lure Grips Custom Fly Grips DBlue Fishing Decal Connection Get Bit Outdoors Ken Preston Rods Klondike Rods LRT Group Custom Lab
Forum: rodboard

When the rod building craft lost Andy's creative and high quality minded input, this craft lost a vital innovator. To me, a guy thats been out of rod making for some time, his abscence and loss of input is very obvious. I miss him. Andy come back....
Forum: rodboard

Two of the TAig style chucks on the headstocks of my lathes seem to be binding up, I have removed then and gave hem a bath in Coca Cola to remove the surface rust, (don't laugh it works), but now am curious what others do to keep the chucks operating smoothly. I am uncertain as to what to use as a lubricant for he jaws as the potential for a fisheye and contamination vortex is there!
Forum: rodboard

I'm looking for a 3 jaw chuck for my Rikon 70-100 lathe. Grizzly was the only one I could find to fit (1"x8TPI), looked online and they're not in stock so I called and they won't get any until January. I'm pretty sure I saw Rikons at the ICRBE so was hoping someone here can help me out. Can anyone give me other options?
Forum: rodboard