Hello again everyone,

Is it possible for some of the "old pros" on the board to offer up good ideas and best practices they utilize to get a good fit and finish on their builds? I read Tom's article about the need for having that, but I don't have any methods to offer my son to help him improve that.

I just posted a new message about a problem my son had with his current build when a Grip was reamed off center. Another problem we had but we're able to fix (my son actually noticed it and fixed it himself) was the end of the but Grip wasn't flat/square all the way around and the winding check was not going to fit flush or look nice against the grip without some modification.

This got me to thinking, are there some pre-build checks we can do and techniques we can implement which will help ensure a better assembly process and help ensure a nicer fit and finish.

Off the top of my head, here are a some areas I would think the "experts" might have some valuable insight to offer:
Ensuring a centered hole during the reaming process
Ensuring a flush and smooth fit between mated parts (seat & Grip)
Good alignment! Making sure the seat is perfectly aligned along the axis you want. Making sure the tip top guide is straight up and down along the axis.
Ensuring a perfectly straight guide train. A surefire way of knowing everything is lined up straight and not be worried that your eyes are playing tricks on you.
Trick to making sure the center of the blank is level during the drying process.
Cutting a piece of tip top adhesive and fitting it into the guide tube before heating it to place in the blank. And again, a way to quickly put the top on and make sure it is perfectly aligned on the desired axis without burning the doo-wadly of your fingers.
Getting decorative guide wraps perfectly aligned exactly over the spot you want them and the length that you want them (i.e. If he wants to create a guide wrap like this: [www.mudhole.com] What can we do to make sure the center mark is wrapped exactly where the guide ring should be, and that it is centered in the overall wrap).
Any other steps you take to help with the overall build quality.

Thank you very much!

Every single one of these topics has been covered in depth in the magazine. In the meantime, do a search of this forum's archives on each topic and I think you'll find a wealth of information that you'll find helpful.

..................

Gib,
I commend you on affording and assisting your son with a building project. He is a lucky kid! At the risk of sounding uninterested or protective of my (minimal) secretes, in racing, it is called “seat time”. You appear to be rather intelligent and the questions you have will self destruct once getting in there and just doing it. I am referred to as the Over-Thinker on this site and you may be as guilty as me. I am also very picky if not full blown anal retentive, but accept the fact my cork grips might be 0.030in off center and used my eye to level my dryer. Start with an inexpensive kit to get your, and Jr’s, feet wet and you will probably discover most of your concerns have evaporated. There are many more qualified than I within this site who are more than willing to answer specific questions, but having a base from which to ask will be beneficial to all.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

We make great short videos that cover some if not all of these topics. You can find them on our website www.flexcoat.com

Here are two in particular that you brought up.

Using tip top adhesive:
[www.flexcoat.com]

Aligning guides and using guide foot adhesive:
[www.flexcoat.com]

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

Awesome! Thank you so much.