Super User flechero Posted August 29, 2006 Super User Posted August 29, 2006 Well we finally got a cloudy day (yesterday) and our streak of 100+ degree days ended... so I spent some time in the garage trying a new idea I had. My first idea was the top 2 pieces... nothing specific just some different trim ideas and it could be made as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. Then I decided that I could do better and thought I would make an Ixthus (Christian fish- for anyone not familiar with the term) The inset pic (lower right) is the rest of the Ixthus in the grip next to it... I wanted to try something else that I had never seen in cork before... I still need to perfect the angles and shrink it a little but I am pretty happy with the early results! Obviously they are not finished, just filed down at this point, will need to be sanded and edges rounded out and finished to retain contrast before using them. Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted August 30, 2006 Posted August 30, 2006 flechero, Those are great idea's can you tell me were they cut or routed from the surface or are they pieces inlaid. I just got an order for a 5C70HF (the older green Legend Elit blank), split grip, and want to use the German Brown burl I have with Andy's Burnt Exotic for accents. I feel the need to experiment... Tight Wraps!! Quote
Super User flechero Posted August 31, 2006 Author Super User Posted August 31, 2006 It never seems like much until you have to write it all down. ...lol I used a sliding compound miter saw for the cuts. (no jigs yet) I happened to luck into some 1/8" sheet cork burl that almost matches the Laguna perfectly. (it is used for making coasters) Then I went through my saw blades and found one whos kerf was an exact match for the thickness of the cork. You will need some sheet cork for anything that goes all the way through on an angle since the angle makes it longer than a ring is tall. You need a sliding saw so the cut is level... without it, your left with the radius of the blade. You also need to set the depth stop. Pull the saw out and cut back into the material... that way you see if it's on track before hitting the grip. You'll also need to space about 2" or so from the fence since the saw doesn't return all the way past the fence. I just used a 1X2 scrap of wood. Then just cut a piece of sheet cork and epoxy in place. You can really get some neat curves by combining bevel and miter with different depths. Just be sure to glue in as you go since intersecting inlay lines will cause a football of cork to pop out! ...lol And if you cut in half, just use a mandrel as a guide to line it up for re-glueing. I'll give you a suggestion- buy a $2 wooden dowel in 1" dia. and use it to practice on... you might save a lot of money in exotic burl!! I'll admit, I was lucky... only screwed up 2 rings in the experimentation. I had to cut them out and re glue 2 more back in. After it was finished, I found a piece of 1" PVC pipe and used it to experiment some more. Two more things... remember to turn down your cork to almost finished diameter before starting as the designs will shrink (anything on an angle) when you turn it down. MOST IMPOTANTLY... BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!! I have wood worked for many years and don't mind working with my fingers a fraction of an inch from a running saw blade. It only takes a split second to loose a finger or hand. You can use a mandrel in the hole as a holding stick for any shallow cuts. (or for full depth cuts but remember to line up the blade's path and keep the mandrel behind that line) If you think of any details I forgot, or need more detailed info just ask. Good luck! (post pics) and BE CAREFUL If anyone lost a finger I would feel responsible!!!! (not to mention your customers would come hunt me down!!) Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted August 31, 2006 Posted August 31, 2006 flechero, I don't think I'll be getting into that. The rod side of the shop doesn't have the room to add more saws. But your design does have a unique look to it. I think i'll just stick to my 1/4" and 1/8" thickness rings and layouts. I do tend to do more of the vanilla looking rods, with the marbling as fancy as it gets.... Thanks..... Tight Wraps! Quote
Super User flechero Posted August 31, 2006 Author Super User Posted August 31, 2006 Don't kid yourself, your rods look great! I have to fancy things up in the grip so people don't notice my thread fuzzies!! ;D ;D It's not as bad as I made it sound... all you need is one saw. I've seen them in 8" versions that aren't very expensive. Time is the problem right now... until I get a few jigs built, it's not an option I'd consider for "sale" rods because your time is worth more than you could charge for the decorative value. With a jig, any of mine could have been done in 5 minutes or less, including glue up time. It's all fun and games for me, I have a day job. ...lol Quote
Super User flechero Posted August 31, 2006 Author Super User Posted August 31, 2006 I just got an order for a 5C70HF (the older green Legend Elit blank), split grip, and want to use the German Brown burl I have with Andy's Burnt Exotic for accents. I forgot to mention this... I built a 5C70HF (the new brown color) back in the spring. Mine has Laguna grips w/ Burnt accent trims. (split grip, trimmed seat, no foregrip and titanium framed SiC's) I love that rod!!!! And it's paired with a TD-Z BBS... light, stout and sweet- all the way around. Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted August 31, 2006 Posted August 31, 2006 flechero, Yeah it is a light stout blank for sure. I got a great deal from Karen @ Bingham, it was the last older one she had in stock. The customer liked it (the color) better than the SC370HF I had on my wall in the matte charcoal. It should come out real nice with the brown and black burls. It is going to be a split and flamed in the split, with a ECS seat trimmed and placed at the 11" mark from the butt end, no fore, conventional guide setup, wrapped black with metallic red single turn inlays, and neutral balanced to a Pflueger round reel. Starting the grip layout in the morning. Tight Wraps! Quote
Super User flechero Posted August 31, 2006 Author Super User Posted August 31, 2006 Starting the grip layout in the morning. Nice! Snap a pic for me when you get a chance... I've never seen the green SCV blanks. Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted August 31, 2006 Posted August 31, 2006 flechero, Well I tried to get a shot of the blank, but couldn't get it to focus right in macro mode and the overcast sky that I had today. So here is the split grip layout after glue up and clamped... As I write this it is now sitting in the lathe waiting for me to turn it down and shape it in the morning.. Once I have it turned and shaped I'll get another shot of it up... Tight Wraps! Quote
Super User flechero Posted September 1, 2006 Author Super User Posted September 1, 2006 That will be a nice looking grip! Are you cutting your own 1/8" rings? I talked to Andy about them and he can get the material in both 1/8 and 1/16 but I was the only person who had requested them so he hasn't ordered any yet. To date, I have been cutting down 1/2" rings to the smaller sizes. Maybe you'll get good light for a pick once the grip is done, then I can see both. Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted September 1, 2006 Posted September 1, 2006 flechero, yeah I use a flush cut saw in a jig that I made when I first got into burl. The only problem I have with Andy's cork is the OD is larger then the imported burls are. I haven't had a chance to get a Forstner bit in the dia. that I need, so for now I have to drill to my mandrel and mount a bunch and turn them down to the dia. of my jig for cutting. Once I cut the rings, then I flat sand them down to the thickness I want.. Right now the jig allows me to make 1/4's and 1/8's.. When I get them turned later this morning I'll bore them out and pre-mount to the blank and try shot then. I hope I have enough sun today (supposed to get rain). If not I'll get them shot in the wrapper. Tight Wraps.... Quote
Super User flechero Posted September 1, 2006 Author Super User Posted September 1, 2006 If you don't mind, can you also take a shot of your slicing jig? I'm freehand cutting them on a drillpress... works most (70% or so) of the time but I'd like more consistant results. Thanks! Quote
justtrying Posted September 1, 2006 Posted September 1, 2006 hey guys MAN, That looks good. ...that's the kind of things that i really want to get into. my daughter was in a very bad accident last friday night, her neck was broken, she's had to have surgery, etc., so, we've been away from home. ..very thankfully, she's improving, so, we'll be back & forth in a few days. will check w/you guys later, just wanted you to know. ronnie ps - i'm ordering a loomis cb blank from bingham to build while i'm "sitting" ...i hope karen will help me pick out the things i'll need. ...keeping my hands occupied helps keep my feeble mind from "crashing." LOL Quote
Super User flechero Posted September 1, 2006 Author Super User Posted September 1, 2006 Ronnie, My thoughts and prayers go out to your daughter and the entire family. The rods can wait, be there for them, they need your strength, support and encouragement in the days and weeks to come. Take care and shoot me a pm off line if there is anything I can do for you. Keith Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted September 1, 2006 Posted September 1, 2006 Ronnie, My wife and I send our prayers for a speedy recovery for your daughter. I'm with Keith on this, your daughter needs you more than you need a rod right now. Keep your strength up for her. Karen contacted me this morning about your CB844 and asked if I knew what your build plans were. I told her I had, had no contact about the new build.. When your ready I'm sure that Keith and I can give some help and insight... Keith, Got the grips turned, and sized to the blank. Just got the seat arbor epoxied in place and waiting for it to cure so I can ream it to fit. Once I get the layout done I will have the boss shot some shots of the layout. As for the jig it is just a piece of 3/4" X 2-1/2" X 12" hardwood to hold two 1 1/4" slots. I used a Forstner bit to cut one at 1/4" deep and one at 1/8" deep. This was when I first got into the imported burls Karen@Bingham carries. I place the burl into the 1/4" slot and use my flush cut saw to cut a 1/4", then if I want a 1/8" slice I place the 1/4" thick piece into my 1/8" slot and cut it. I use another piece of hardwood same size as the one I used for the jig, covered with 40 grit and sand flush if I have any high sides. I only use my fingers for downward pressure on the burl while making the cuts. It is noting elaborate, I also drilled out the center of the slots to fit short pieces of 3/8" dowels, I use these to push the tight fitting burls out when sanded flush.. I will shoot a pic of it, later today...... Tight Wraps!!! Quote
Guest DavidGreen Posted September 2, 2006 Posted September 2, 2006 flechero, Here is a shot of the glued up grips and seat, I still have to band the guides on and do the balance work. So I had to leave the rubberized cork butt cap off until I get the balance point and weights glued in... I had to work the image so that you could see the color of the old C5 Legend Elite blanks it is forest green. That is a $180 blank that Karen gave me a great deal on....BTW the St.Croix blank prices went up 2% on Sept 1. Tight Wraps! Quote
Super User flechero Posted September 2, 2006 Author Super User Posted September 2, 2006 Looks nice so far! I had it in my mind it was a much darker green, but I like that color. Quote
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