Rod Building & Tackle Tinkering

Finally cut a Batson blank

feeds@yuku.com (Grashpr9) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:06:54 GMT

I ordered an assortment of Batson blanks last month. This evening, I finally cut a SPG601 in two.

I couldn't find the post again, but someone built a 5' rod and his customer caught a nice bass on the first trip. That prompted me to order the blanks, so it seems fitting that I start with a 5' rod.

Hopefully I'll be able to find the time to fit the ice-rod spigot and then proceed to build the rod. The other parts are sitting here, itching to become a rod.

Sources for Fiberglass blanks?

feeds@yuku.com (mattnmtns) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:12:46 GMT

Hello all, I have decided to take the plunge into rod building, which is turning into many side projects such as building a rod wrapper and work bench. Then I realized that my basement is probably too cold for epoxy and the finish to set, so my next project is to build a rod drying box, and finish out part of my basement. My only fear is if I finish out the basement I might lose it to the rest of the family. Anyways I have been doing plenty research, reading and lurking on various rod...

Conolon Lee Wulff 2071/72

feeds@yuku.com (sdcanoe) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:31:51 GMT

Hello,
My name is Stephen Drage and I am new to the world of Fiberglass rods. I have just purchased some of the old stock Conolon blanks that are available and in a search to find information on the original Lee Wulff rods I have found that there were two 7' rods, the 2071 and 2072. I am hoping someone can tell me the difference between these two rods. Also, any information on guide spacing etc. or interesting facts about these rods would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
...

Steffen 7'9" 3/4wt piece

feeds@yuku.com (dustdog12) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:42:07 GMT

I'm finishing a 7'9" 3/4wt 3 piece Steffen Blank for my dad for xmas. Any advice from fellow builders out there on guide spacing?

Thanks!!

Dusty
Bozeman, MT

Ridged Cork

feeds@yuku.com (onemoredeer) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:57:05 GMT

Short of replacement, does anyone have a cure for ridged cork? Other than sanding it down, are there other tricks out there? Just want to explore all the possibilities before I dig out the sandpaper or sharp knife.

Doug

Stripping guide sizes

feeds@yuku.com (fingernail) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:44:29 GMT

I don't have access to these, but was curious what two sizes would I need for an 8ft 6/7 if I were to used two on the butt section of a rod?
Thanks Guys!

varnish removal

feeds@yuku.com (Gutta Percha) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:00:00 GMT

I have a fenwick rod that someone before me placed a varnish or a lacker on the cork handle to seal the cork. Can anyone tell me how to remove the varnish off the cork handle? Thanks in advance.

Reducing butt diameter

feeds@yuku.com (Craig) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:33:43 GMT

Regarding small diameter reel seat inserts, I've dealt with the "big butt" dilemma in a couple of different ways (reaming and buying custom made inserts), but in my next project - - rebuilding a Stalker - - I want to use a relatively small diameter Struble reel seat that is not amenable to reaming to the relatively large inside diameter required for this rod. As such, I am going to - - gulp - - cut off a few inches of the butt and insert a smaller diameter "spigot" to...

Help with Steffen 8.5' 5/6 blank

feeds@yuku.com (beemerhead) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:00:29 GMT

This is going to be my first build. I need help with everything. Guide size spacing, thread size, and suggestions for reel seats since the butt is.480". Thanks,

Ken in Tn
Acts 16:31

Tinted glue lines in cork grips

feeds@yuku.com (bassackwards) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:24:06 GMT

I got this idea from Goldenwitch. They used to sell 1/8" thick cork rings, and they recommended using tinted glue to emphasize the glue lines in your grip. You can see what I'm talking about here at the bottom of the page. Those rings are no longer available.

However, there is a vendor on ebay selling 1/4" thick...

I.D. of Fuji tsg or tlsg ring?

feeds@yuku.com (gypsy) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:21:28 GMT

Anybody measure the actual i.d. of a Fuji 6mm tlsg or tsg ring? just curious. My SB #1 snakes measure 5mm and I was wondering what the equivalent tsg or tlsg is? Thanks.

Ferrule Wraps?

feeds@yuku.com (swalker9513) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:56:58 GMT

In the world of graphite fly rods, ferrule wraps are done because "we have always done it that way" or "the rod looks naked without them". They don't have a real function any longer. Most blanks (CTS, Sage, St. Croix are all examples) have reinforced ferrules that will perform as well without wraps. Is this true of modern glass ferrules?

Spinning rod re-do

feeds@yuku.com (Zenkoanhead) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:07:52 GMT

Let's see if I can get some pix transferred over from the UL site.

...

Is a 3 Weight Build a Good Idea?

feeds@yuku.com (Fly Rod D) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:51:32 GMT

I bit the bullet today and bought a few blanks to make my first set of rods. Cabelas was selling out American made 6wt, 8'9" Fenwick HMG blanks for $29, so I bought 3 for me and my 2 sons. We will use these bad boys on river smallies.

I also bought a few 3 wt rods (batson forecast 7'9") for some inexpensive bluegill rods. These will be my first attempts at rod building.

I was in my local fly shop and the owner told me 3 wt fly rods are...

Newbie try

feeds@yuku.com (Fly Goddess) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:35:41 GMT

Winter is on it's way. I don't mind the snow, even a little cold.
I draw the line if I am deicing every cast however[]
Wind....HATE IT
So those days I usually stay in and tie flies or building Furled leaders, but this year....ROD BUILDING:

I am working on a Glass rod with a little graphite built in to make it a little faster.
The reel seat I am going with is a small full well grip, and American...

Grip repair and seat removal

feeds@yuku.com (Mojorizing) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:00:37 GMT

Browning Silaflex 222975. Joni was fishing it a couple weeks ago. Just some stillwater fishing at a lake. The cork "split" in the middle of the grip and the front half can be moved a little. The split was in the middle of a cork ring- not between rings. I figured I have to remove the reel seat, both pieces of the grip and re-epoxy it together. Trouble is I can't get the damn reel seat off. I've had it in boiling water for close to 5 minutes and it does nothing. This is...

Bronze winding check

feeds@yuku.com (taniwha2) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:35:40 GMT

Can anyone suggest a supplier?
thanks
Mark

line weight and guide sizes

feeds@yuku.com (Flywalker) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:22:15 GMT

I have an 8.5' fenwick blank that someone built up but subsequently stripped the guides from. It doesn't have a model designation on it (no FF #). Judging from the fact that it is a feralite ferrule and typical fenwick brown color, I'm guessing that it is a 3 number fenwick blank (Tom mentioned in an old post that they didn't make the brown ferrulite blanks available till later in production). It could be an FF855, 856, 857, or 858. I wouldn't have my feelings hurt if it...

Gudebrod, Herters rod wrapping NCP and Nylon thread.

feeds@yuku.com (reelill) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:12:13 GMT

Hey Guys,
I picked up this stuff with alot of othere rod building equipment and I was wondering what a fair value would be.
I plan on offering them here on the forum but need to know where to start. Should I sell all together or individually, or should I group them in some way?
Any Help would be appreciated.
thanks
Richard

Insight for a special build...

feeds@yuku.com (fred1369) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:30:43 GMT

I recently acquired a Fenwick-Grizzly 7'0"-5wt phenolic resin blank. My first step will be to remove the aluminum ferrules and replace them with a set of nickel silver ones. Then the blank will be cleaned and re-finished with an UV varnish. From there... I have a lot to think over. The rod's companion streamside will be a Wright & McGill Victory 7030 (7'0"-4wt), with that said... here's some of my ideas for the build. I can acquire a W&M nickel silver...