Anyone building rods this winter?

[flechero]

Man there hasn't been a rodbuilding thread in a while. Where are all the people who said they were building this winter? Lets have some updates or progress reports or at least some questions.

I have one drying as I type this... I didn't take pics because it's another stealth rod. The good news is it's a personal rod! ...lol It will be my new workhorse, the t-rig rod.

charcoal finished blank- CTS EBT825 (6' 10" H, F)

exotic burl split grip / no foregrip

black Alconites

charcoal thread - no CP

Spiral wrapped

I forgot how much I dislike gloss finished blanks compared to matte. Wrapping is different and the wet finish blends in so well I needed a drop light over each guide. ...lol I have built almost all matte blanks since back in the spring so this was an adjustment.

Who's got a new rod in process or in planning?

[mawilson]

what do you mean this winter i usually have 2 to 3 going all the time and i wish i would have never asked you about the foam inlay in the grip now almost everyone wants it and don't get any of the natural burl from mud hole unless you are just going to use it for acsent it falls apart real easy put it on a drop shot rod for myself 2 months ago and already had to replace the handle its no wear as tuff as the colored burl

MA Wilson

[WCCT]

I have 2 GLX MB843's that I am finishing for a guy as we speak.

custom burl split grip

Fuji SIC Titanium guides

straight wrapped

"Kistler" style hook keepers

This is sure addicting isn't it  I find it really cutting into my plastic pouring time. LOL.

[dbass]

flechero,

That sounds like a good one. Wait until you wrap a new SC3 blank, that new finish is a lot slicker than most gloss finishes I have wrapped on.

I have about 8 blanks hanging waiting for some attention. Just working on rods when I have time from the reel servicing

I just got done with a custom 08 3C66HF for Jeff H here on the forum, and, we are working on a new suspending jerkbait rod for his arthritic hands.

Tight Wraps!!!!

[flechero]

Wait until you wrap a new SC3 blank, that new finish is a lot slicker than most gloss finishes I have wrapped on.

Is it different than the SCIV & SCV finish? (I do fine with those) I think that CTS was clear coated, wet sanded and then double waxed & buffed to a high luster! ;D It was the slickest I had ever seen. (way worse than the other CTS blanks I have built)

WCCT,

Any pics of those builds?

[dbass]

Keith,

The new finish on the Avid is supposed to be better (harder and more permanent) than the old finish on the IV's and V's. This is what I have had conversations about lately, blank finishes St.Croix's only Achilles heal.

Tight Wraps!

[Alpster]

Hey Keith,

I recently finished a rod for 'TheRedtorpedo' 6' MH Shikari blank with Burl split grip, fuji alconite guides and Mudholes Zebra wood reel seat, silver underwraps with black over wraps.

I now have a rod on the lathe for a special buddy. On a Shikari SB683 blank. Zebra wood reel seat with Fuji alconites, Burnt Burl with natural rings for grips. This one will have gold underwraps with black or dark brown overwraps.

That's what I have going at the moment.

Ronnie

[flechero]

Good stuff, glad to see it's just been a slow posting thing.  I should have some stuff to post in a few weeks.  I have one that's going to have some inlay work in the grip (he's still working on the design) but it's still 2 rods behind.

Ronnie,

That's the same seat I used on LBH's rod, I liked it a lot, the bump fit nicely in my hand... if i build myself another spinning rod, I'll probably use that seat.  How was the casting seat to work with?

David,

I know what youmean ion the other finishes... the first SCV I built I learned that alcohol and light scrubbing will remove the finish!    That was back before I used water on the gauze for seat clean up.  ...lol

[Alpster]

Ronnie,

How was the casting seat to work with?

It was a bear to get the casting seat to expose the blank properly and make it look right. I probably won't use it again. The new ACS casting seats from Fuji are interesting. I like the way they feel in my hand, it lets you wrap two fingers around the handle while palming the reel. My next one will use that seat. I bought a couple of these to fit the blanks I bought. We'll see.

Ronnie

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Ronnie,

How was the casting seat to work with?

It was a bear to get the casting seat to expose the blank properly and make it look right. I probably won't use it again. The new ACS casting seats from Fuji are interesting. I like the way they feel in my hand, it lets you wrap two fingers around the handle while palming the reel. My next one will use that seat. I bought a couple of these to fit the blanks I bought. We'll see.

Ronnie

Your customs are going to be one of the many highlights of the Guntersville trip that I am looking forward to.

I cant wait to try one of those spiral wraps you talked about.  

[fisherdave]

Is there some were you can buy kits to build rods I have never done it and I like building things and wouldnt mind trying this.

Thanks

FisherDave

[dbass]

Yea Cabela's has kits.

Click Here.... Tackle Craft

But if your going to do this do it right, do some reading first.

Click Here....Rod Building Guide: Tom Kirkman

Good Luck & Tight Wraps!      

[kbkindle]

kb here     not building any rods  just crankbaits  but ia'm going to try and build some wood handle baitcasting grips.  i never have done this but i do have two wood lathes. one large lathe and one small one  built a lot of pieces  so i do know a little about this.  and have some exotic   wood s as curly maple, walnut  hard maple,   ebony, birds eye maple. mesquite   made a lot of pieces out of mesquite i like the grain in it. it has a tight grain and runs every which way   hard to work but sure does look nice  kb

[JayW]

I haven't built once since November. I'm thinking about building one for a reel that I have just sitting around. I have a Abu 3600 Tournament series reel that's only been used 2 or 3 times. I bought it as a collectible but I'm getting tired of just looking at it sitting there. I wonder how it would get along with my Calcutta's?  :-?