If I were to voice my opinion here on blanks, I would get stomped. All I will say, there are only about three or four companies that make blanks. One is right here in the little town of Flippin Arkansas. There are different names put on some of the same blanks. Some of the biggest name rods were made right here in Flippin, a little town of 1000.
If you want to talk off list, send me a message.
Tony
Mike Morris wrote:
Who makes the best blanks? I have always shied away from building a rod because I figured the technology is really in the blank and If I havwe to pay top dollar to get a Loomis or Sage blank it would not really be worth it.
Mike M
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tony Spezio Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 7:50 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VFB] rod building
Jeff, Really very few tools are needed, Here is the basics. Single edge razor blade A cup Couple of old books A ball point pen body to use as a burnisher Masking tape (See below) Dubbing needle Measuring tape Dental floss pulling loop, not really needed, just makes things easier. Magnifying glasses unless your vision is better than mine A medium size cardboard box
The razor is to cut the thread after it is pulled under the wraps to get a clean cut off and no "fuzzies"
The cup is to hold the thread spool
The books are to run the thread through the pages and weight for tension on the thread for wrapping
The ball point pen body to burnish (smooth) the wraps
The cardboard box, cut "V" notches on the ends to support the rod while wrapping and applying the epoxy on the wraps.
That is it, you can upgrade by making a thread spool holder using washers or a spring for tension on the thread spool.
A small low RPM motor to make up a rod turner. The rod HAS to be rotated while the Epoxy is setting on the wraps. The Epoxy used on the wraps if a real slow setting Epoxy. In using the box with the "V" grooves you apply a thin coat and turn the rod by hand. The epoxy will set up enough in a short time that you will be able to let it sit and turn in every five minuets or so. As it sets the interval between turning it will be longer. After the first coat sets enough to not "sag", a second thin coat is applied. If you have a rod turner, a heavier coat can be applied and the wraps can be done with one coat. Use a dubbing needle to apply the Epoxy
Masking tape is used to build up under the grip and the reel seat, it can be cut into thin strips to hold the guides in place. I prefer not to use tape as it can leave a residue, I use surgical tube cut into little rubber bands to hold the guides in place for wrapping. When the thread wraps reach the rubber band, I just stick the dubbing needle under the band, flick it over the guide and finish the wrap. I only use them twice, On the second time using them, I just pull hard enough on the dubbing needle to break the band. It gets weak with use. The dental rubber bands will work also. Measuring tape is to measure where the guides go.
Just a couple of things about wrapping. If your hands are rough, it will cause fuzzies to form on the thread. If you have oily skin, wipe your hands regularly with alcohol while wrapping. Don't put too much tension on the thread, you don't want the thread so tight that you can't move the guide after it is wrapped. It is easier to wrap from the blank up the foot of the guide than wrapping down the foot of the guide. To keep wraps even, count the number of wraps before the wraps start on the guide foot. I make three wraps and the fourth wrap is the first wrap on the foot of the guide.
Dental floss pulling loop is used to pull the tag end of the thread under the finish wraps. You can use a length of thread to do this but it will tend to leave fuzzies after a few times it is used.
As I said, once you build the first rod, you will wonder why you waited so long to do it. One of the pitfalls is, you will build too many rods. I had access to blem blanks back east and I made myself at least one of every weight rod from 3 to 10 wt.
Jeff, You are not too far from me. I am wrapping a couple of rods this week, come by if you can. Lot of little tricks I can show you.
Tony
Jeff Frye wrote:
Tony, any good ideas on the tools needed to build one
of these? I bought a book a while back, but haven't
moved forward yet. -Jeff
--- Tony Spezio <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Gramp,__________________________________________________
Wish I could have you here for a few hours. All the
mystery would be gone. I used to build them on a regular basis for
clients. It would take me 6 hours to have it turning with the finish on the
wraps. Several list members can attest to this.
I would suggest getting a kit. I don't think Byard
carries them but you might ask him about it off list. If not, I can put
you on to the right people that will get you set up. There are several
small starter books. I had a bunch from Gudebrod but sent them to others
that wanted to make rods. I will check and see if I still might have an
extra in my stuff downstairs.
Once you make one rod, you will make more it is
easy. I still make a Graphite rod now and then, but I am into making
bamboo rods for the past six years.
Go for it, you can pick up Blem Blanks from several
sources very reasonable. I have found them for as little as 15.00
Tony
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Just curious, is it difficult to build a rod?Pricey? (more or less compared to buying a rod
outright?) Can you build a spey rod? (I'd immagine
so, but thought I'd ask...) What type of time
commitment is needed (ie is it a snap-together
thing, or what all is involved?) Where does one get
started with finding information? Book
recomendations welcome - I have a decent library
nearby with a great ILL program.
Any help is greatly appreciated, as I've beencurious about this for a while. I know that rods
don't magically fall out of trees (wouldn't that be
great?!) but are built... and yet I'm clueless how
that is done.
today.Thanks and tight wraps, Pete
-- "Richard Zieger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I am coating the rod wraps on a 10. 5 ft 3 wt
Friday I will put another light coat on and thenset the reel set, handle
--and tip top next week.
Rick
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