I think they are on the website now.
Forum: rodboard

Wider is better and you can get the epoxy on more quickly and with less brushing which not only takes a lot of time but creates bubbles. Walmart has packages of decent hair brushes in 1-4 to 1-2 inch widths for not much money. Really true that flat and wide brushes are better for epoxy work than the little round ones.
Forum: rodboard

I think Phenix is importing those components out of either China or Tawain but I have used a few and they seem okay.
Forum: rodboard

Here is what I like about it--- If you are applying epoxy and the phone rings, or you have to step away for a minute or something, you just let go of the rod and it starts turning. You do not have to start anything up or flip any belts for a dryer. Just do what you have to do and know that the rod is going to turn until you get back to it. I bought one of these maybe the last year the expo was in
Forum: rodboard

Can the magazine's 15% discount code by used in conjunction with the free shipping offer?
Forum: rodboard

FWIW, the CTS people had an ad in the last issue of the magazine and are now selling blanks direct from New Zealand to the U.S. for a single shipping charge of $22. Custom colors and quick delivery. No I have not tried this direct service yet but plan to in the near future. Use order code RMM0918 to save 15% on blank price.
Forum: rodboard

Angler's Workshop has two products and one of them may be what you are looking for. One is a single part rod wrap finish but it is thin enough to be used as a blank coating. The other is meant as a lure or rod blank coating itself. Both are very thin and brush on easily. I have refinished a few older rods with the second one and had good results. Only problem is you have to keep the glass jar lid
Forum: rodboard

Not tying to start any arguments, but a day ago somebody asked about epoxy shelf life. The seller says it is six months. So is this six months from the time you get it, or was it six months from the time it was made bottled? And if it is from the time it was made and bottled, how do you know how long it sat on the dealers shelf?
Forum: rodboard

I did a little fishing today and had some luck. But it occurred to me that unlike most fishermen that concentrate on the hooked fish and getting it in and landed, I seem to concentrate on my rod when I have a fish on. I watch the way it bends and how the line flows through the guides, making sure the stress distribution is right. I notice the sound of the line when it goes through the guides on a
Forum: rodboard

The fly fishing UV cured stuff turns out a bit foggy after some use. I do not think it looks very nice.
Forum: rodboard

It seems to me that in terms of EVA foam grip material, the brighter colors are softer than the darker colors. I wonder if the color chemical or whatever is added to get the color has something to do with this. Anybody else notice the difference in hardness between the same EVA stock but in lighter versus darker colors?
Forum: rodboard

Their website has had a new image as of two months ago and a notation saying "BACK IN 2018" so maybe they have reopened for business.
Forum: rodboard

If you want in on the rod building business you will need a lot more than just one color! Colors make the rod building world go 'round. Also it is nice to see so many sizes. I could see myself just using B or C size and nothing else if more companies offered it and in enough colors.
Forum: rodboard

Is there any chance that you are using an embroidery thread? Some are treated with a silicone type lubricant and it could repel your epoxy or at least create a barrier between the thread and the finish. I really have no idea as I do not use it, but this is just something that occurred to me.
Forum: rodboard

There was a back issue that had a break down on all the various popular spiral wrap systems a while back but I have no idea which one it was. Somewhere in Volume 8 or 9?
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I cannot see how the color of the blank could possibly make any difference.
Forum: rodboard

I find it a double edge sword. A reel with a smaller diameter spool casts further because the line is coming off in smaller coils which are easier for the guides to tame and control but the retrieve ratio is not as good. The smaller reel is lighter but for any given amount of line to play out on drag, the smaller spool has to make more revolutions.
Forum: rodboard

Knife makers supply houses are a good source of thin trim pieces.
Forum: rodboard

Just FYI, for those that do not want to turn their own cores but do not mind skinning the carbon tubes onto a pre formed core, Pacbay has a nice selection of the pre formed cores.
Forum: rodboard

You can also use contact cement to glue two grips end to end. A little light sanding and the joint should be hardly noticeable.
Forum: rodboard

I don't think overall rod length would be a factor. The important thing is the distance from the reel to the stripping or butt guide and that won't change due to overall rod length. I recommend putting the first guide about 32" beyond where you expect the reel to be located. If you are not sure just figure the reel position to be mid way and measure from there. It works for me.
Forum: rodboard

Batson has a page on their website that lists suggested guide spacings for most of their blanks.
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I have not soaked it to see, because I do not soak my rods.
Forum: rodboard

Once dry water based paint will not dissolve with water. I doubt CP will dissolve with water but will not hold up very well. It is too soft.
Forum: rodboard

Just my .02, but the lighter a rod is the less important balance becomes. A rod with a total weight of three ounces can be out of balance and not bother you as much as a rod with a total weight of six ounces that is out of balance.
Forum: rodboard

Same group that was on the old BD website and caused so much trouble there.
Forum: rodboard

Yes it is reasonable and makes perfect sense. Of course the final test is to tape up the set of guides and go out and cast the rod a little bit. Once you do that you will know if it will work of not. I think you are going to find that your suggested set will work very well. But please try it for yourself.
Forum: rodboard

The offset made for a more comfortable casting rod, no doubt about it.
Forum: rodboard

With the data and facts we have available over the last decade or two, I would think that many builders, maybe even most, do not bother with the spine. No idea how many are still doing it and would have need for a spine finder but you can always list it on the buy and sell page and see if anybody wants one.
Forum: rodboard

There is an article in the new issue of RM that details a spray on product that is not really new, but this is the first time I have seen any real details on how to use it on a fishing rod. Little stuff makes all the difference. Might give it a try now that I know more about it. Spary Max and how to get the right results from it. No idea about UV protection.
Forum: rodboard