Instead of taking Todd’s post on the Expride grip sideways, I decided it was best to start a new one. I find it valuable when conceiving a new build to look at a few factory model lines for reference. It’s not that I’m interested in cloning what they are doing, but rather being informed by it. The Expride seems to be in the top handful of factory lines most respected for being dialed-in at techni
Forum: rodboard

Just got back from an incredible weekend at ICRBE exhibiting, participating and learning with fellow rod builders. The crowd was great all weekend and there was a buzz on the floor the whole time. If you didn’t make it you missed an incredible learning opportunity between the general seminars and the new Learning Center. The general seminars were great as always and the. The Learning Ce
Forum: rodboard

I’ve seen several people talk of placing guides on straightest axis of blank vs finding the spine. What are the pros and cons of each and why one way or another? Thanks
Forum: rodboard

I was intrigued with Pete Holloway’s “Easy Spiral System” article in the last issue of RodMaker magazine. While I have developed my own method of producing spiral-wrapped rods which work extremely well, somewhere between the simple spiral and the 0-60-120-180 systems (but NEVER a 90* bumper), utilizing the actual blank under load to determine the rotational positions of the transition guides seem
Forum: rodboard

Does it hurt to wrap over the tape that is holding the guide in place on the small micro guides, I dont have much room to tape and then start the wrap, tried glue stick but that did not work out that well.Thank you.
Forum: rodboard

On behalf of American Tackle I want to thank everyone who came by the booth at ICRBE 2020!! We enjoyed talking to everyone and hearing the excitement about the new AT products, especially the CCT seats and G2 Carbon Handles. I also want to give a special thank you to Tom Kirkman for putting on an amazing show! Everyone I spoke with had an amazing time. If you were not here and are a cust
Forum: rodboard

My blank was delivered today (11/17), 7 days after I ordered it. Very happy about that. In a couple of other threads I was wondering about the blank being un-sanded and how noticeable the ridges would be. They are noticeable, but not as offensive as I thought they might be. Would I prefer the blank to be nice and smooth like the IM series NFC blanks I've recently built on. I sure would, but .....
Forum: rodboard

I would like an opinion for spacing 8 guides, Pac bay minima 4 single foot. The blank is a light to medium spinning and flexes from the upper 1/3 Distance from tip to center of reel seat 72 inches with the butt guide at 24 inches from center of reel seat. Thanks John
Forum: rodboard

I need some help. I'm going to be ordering a Pac Bay Quickline blank from Utmost Enterprises in the near future. Since Pac Bay lists the CCS numbers instead of lure weight ratings and blank actions in their catalog for their Quickline blanks, I decided to take some CCS numbers of one of my factory rods that has the type of action I'm looking for, and compare them to the numbers for the Quickline
Forum: rodboard

Well, after ironing out some rod blank issues with a supplier, I was able to start my first complete build this past week. I wish I was able to say I was able to complete the entire build, but I'm waiting on 2 running guides, one of which I'll need to complete the rod, that were back ordered from my initial components order. Happily, they were shipped late this past week, and I should have them i
Forum: rodboard

This is my first post to Rodbuilding.org, Last year I replaced the guides on 3 of my rods, and I loved the feeling of satisfaction I got out of doing it. I can't even imagine the feeling I will have when fishing with a rod that I built from the ground up. I'm looking to build a pitching/flipping stick for bass, and am looking for thoughts on which blank to use. I've narrowed my choices down
Forum: rodboard

Seems to be a lot of 10' light line rods on the market, but not many blanks. Any suggestions?
Forum: rodboard

The wrapping table is complete other than installing the laminate top which I hope to get done this week. In addition, I have framed up a photo table which will be used for seamless background close-ups of Fuji guides, reel seats and finished rods. It's 4x6 feet (plenty big for a size 4 KT :) and may serve many other functions as well. We have also framed up a traditional workbench along
Forum: rodboard

I gave away my last bit of color preserver to a friend so he could finish his first rodbuild. My supplier is like an hour across town, is there an alternative to CP for in laying feathers?
Forum: rodboard

Hi this is my first post and i was wondering what i could use to hold the color of my wraps. I am trying to use a white thread that says it does not need color protectant, but on my test wraps when i applied the flex-coat the threds turned clear, I would really like to start making some head way on my pole and don't really want to wait for thread color protectant to be ordered. I heard that elmer
Forum: rodboard

Hello everyone. Im in need of some Color preserver and don't have time to wait on shipping. Is there anything I can use instead?
Forum: rodboard

Does anyone, besides myself, remember the discussions regarding the use of Future Floor Finish(Wax) as a finish for fishing rod guide wraps? I have exhausted the search functions of most rodbuilding forums with no success. Thanks in advance. C2
Forum: rodboard

I'm building a Batson SW967F (8 foot) as a surf rod. I was thinking about doing a 12" long rear grip, then the reel seat(backwards to keep the nut from loosening while casting?), and a 4" foregrip. Does this sound ok? I have 1/8" thick cork tape, some automotive double sided tape, cord, and x flock shrink tube. I plan on wrapping both grips in the cork, then the automotive tape
Forum: rodboard

I was cleaning out my stash and came across this partially used quart bottle of Future Floor Finish. Memory fails me here, but maybe someone's doesn't. It is an acrylic, non-yellowing floor finish, that sounds good. What was it used for and why did we stop? Old Heads; help me here! C2
Forum: rodboard

Gents, i've been off the forum for quite a while, but still building now and then. My other hobby, restoring vintage Honda motorcycles has kept me busy.. :) I recently started 2 rods, and have FINALLY run out of the old 811. Love the stuff. Are there any CP's out there that are similar to the old 811? if my memory serves me, Future floor polish was sometimes used. is that still an option
Forum: rodboard

I just got home from the gathering. I forgot to take my camera, so no pictures. It was a nice turnout and there were some nice rods to see. It was good to see a few familiar faces and some new ones. The food was fantastic. Tom had a local guy cook some ribs that were simply out of this world. It was a good warmup for February.
Forum: rodboard

Hi, I will explain my reasons. I am a people person and I enjoy meeting folks, talking with them and sharing whatever. All the local folks I met in High Point were the friendliest folks you could meet. That says a lot for the surrounding area. Now you meet the rod builders outside and inside the EXPO, talk with them and it gets better and better. I will share my thoughts with you and I
Forum: rodboard

I'm gonna purchase a printer to attempt to make some "electric" labels. Mine is about shot anyway. Does anyone know how to tell which printers use the solvent based inks and which ones use the dye based inks? I don't really want to buy one that uses the solvents right now. Any suggestion on a printer or all-in- one is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Greg Marshall Trouble with bein
Forum: rodboard

OK, Gotta have a rod done by saturday, and I am out of CP (18 month old daughter dumped it). Cannot drive 65 miles to little Rock to buy some tonight. Any household chemicals that will work? I considered diluting some elmers glue with water will that work, has anyone tried it? I usually order everything I need but this just came up. Gonna finish it with perma gloss if that matters. Thanks
Forum: rodboard

Several callers have asked when I'll have the final tally on attendance. It will be later this week when we get a chance to count the tickets, and perhaps a month before I can sort through all the registrations to determine how many rod builders and how many fishermen were there. We do know from a couple markers that attendance was up, again, this year. Not nearly as much as I had hoped and expe
Forum: rodboard

I was just applying Thread Master to a wrap last night and this morning when I chcked I had two big bubbles about a 16th inch. The wrap is a closed wrap on a large diameter rod and about 5 inches long. I have never had a problem like this before. I aplied the finish and was working around the shop for two or three hours after word and checked it before i left and the bubbles were not there. As a
Forum: rodboard

Just posted a pic with fair resolution of a CP test I've been playing with. 20 test patches. Will provide the legend later. Easier to get opinions without name bias I think. Some notes tho: #1 is with nothing at all #14 was repelling the epoxy somewhat, but not horribly #15 was repelling the epoxy somewhat more, and something fell out of solution while in use. So forget that one #18 is ra
Forum: rodboard

I did a search but couldn't find any thread stating which CP works best with Madeira Polyneon thread. Can anyone tell me which CP you have had the best results with before I try one and don't get good results. Thank You for any help, Charlie G.
Forum: rodboard

I am out of 811 Color Preserver and am trying to finish a rod for a friend by this weekend. Does anyone know of a reliable alternative that can be used perhaps from common sources?
Forum: rodboard

I have an awful lot to do today so it will be a bit before I can write much more about this year's International Custom Rod Building Exposition. I'll let the attendees have the floor for a day or two and you can judge by what they have to say about it. I do want to take just a moment and thank all the manufacturers and vendors who made this year's event so good. I do a lot of work preparing
Forum: rodboard