Never understood the "fly line off the blank" comments, as fly rod guides are under the blank on both the forward cast and playing the fish! The only time it should contact the bank is on the back cast which will have little or no impact.
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I am currently using Hitena and have used Pearsall and YLI. all perform well Pearsall's was very good but no longer available. I do not apply alcohol to wraps at anytime! I did clears wraps on a Iconoglass Cyan, turned out great!
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Don't cut the tip!
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There is absolutely no need to thin Crystal Coat for clear silk wraps! I have done many without thinning, no bubbles, clear as glass !
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Check out Batson and American Tackle, they have less expensive seats but no idea where they are made.
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I only build fly rods, and grip ergonomics is one of the features that makes selling my services successful! Hand sizes are not the same and griping conditions are not the same. Additionally, some people just prefer a different feel!
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First of all you need more input from the father! If they fly fish, he should be able give you a lot more information. You cannot pick a blank before you know how they will use it! Besides the weight asked for, you need to know length and action wanted. Another way to approach it , is to ask if they have a favorite rod, and why. This can provide guidance as to what they want in the new rod.
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Guessing the car was also hot, so it took a "heat-set" curve" if this is the case, it will take heat to return it to straight. You might try hanging it like you mentioned with weight at the tip and then using a hairdryer to heat it. If you use a heat gun be VERY careful not to overheat it.
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Did you try Googling it?
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There are two options mentioned above. 1) using gray thread to match the blank. 2) Using silk thread that disappears with epoxy applied thus giving the appearance of no thread at all. The later is often called a ghost wrap.
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I have built and fished one when first developed. First of all, it is much lighter than either fiberglass or bamboo. The action is similar to bamboo.
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Also not clear on your comments regarding Decal connection, They can do individual decals for a rod. I always use them and put the customers name on each rod. The lines on my decals are line 1) CUSTOM BUILT FOR. line 2) customers name, line 3) rod specs. (each of these are different font) As mentioned above they have lots of fonts and choices of type color.
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"Looks like crap" isn't very descriptive! Be a little more precise in what that problem is. Without know how large the coverage is, it is hard to tell if you should have some left or not.
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Warming it will thicken it.
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The white/cloudy look is Amine blush caused by the epoxy reaction to moisture. The blush can also be caused on well sealed wraps if the rod is stored wet. It is generally on the surface and can be removed by washing with soap and water our using a hairdyer to warm the wraps.
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I believe Batson still sells them.
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The foam used to create carbon fiber grips would be ideal for that use.
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I do not use much silk, but like Hitena. Don't know if they have a variegated. Single foot light wire is my choice for that light of a rod. Uplocking light reel seat like Batson BUL5 Western style 7" grip Agate for looks, not needed for any other reason
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Single foot wire guides on 3-6 wt. Ring guides on the 8wt. Single foot due to weight saving (thread & epoxy) additionally they keep the line off the blank, primarily on the backcast. Ring guides on the 8wt due to potential weight of fish caught, ie. a little more durable.
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The voids you describe are "fish eyes" and are not the fault of the epoxy, but something under it. Could be either the paint or glitter. Did you at any point wipe the area with anything?
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If you google their colors, you can get the Pantone color numbers and I believe ProWrap has colors with Pantone numbers
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I build fly rods and use Batson products almost exclusively, never had and issue with their guides and feet are already prepped nicely
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Yep often, troubling~
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I build 4 pc fly rods and always wrap the female ferrule. In order to center the ferrule on my wrapper, I join the two sections (not tightly) never had a problem separating them.
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Have you checked with Diawa?
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A job well done. Go get the BIG ONE!
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Here are the UA colors The University of Alabama The University of Alabama Colors · Crimson PMS 201 · Cool Gray PMS 430
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When Mark Talmo sees this post he may be able to answer the question.
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I am of the school, why would anyone want to make a fishing tool gaudy? I am a fly fisherman and much prefer the understated organic look of fly rods! NO BLING !
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you don't need NCP for black thread. Many NCP threads have a filler similar to chalk to make them NCP thus the color shift.
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