First Build

[clayton86]

Well I finally got to starting my first rod builds. I went for a ice rod for my first one actually two ice rods one for myself one for a army buddy of mine.

I went with a 24" ul his is a 17" bream buster.

His is super short I was gonna order a different blank or handle but he opted for cutting a inch off the butt section and leaving it goofy looking. He said he wanted it short like that for being in the hut his other rods all hit the side when he sets the hook.

Then I grabbed a old aluminum arrow shaft and practiced some wraps while I wait for the epoxy to set on the handles. Was a lot easier then I thought I just used regular sewing thread to practice with.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Good start. In the future though, put your arbors closer together leaving about 1/8" gap or so filling the gaps with epoxy, making solid contact points between the blank and components.

[clayton86]

Will do! Just dipped some sample parts to see how that Magic marble works out. Came out sweet I think I dipped the cork I cut off and some tackle box lids. Black primer didn't work but white really makes it pop. I'm gonna tape off and prime the rods tomorrow letting the epoxy sit a day

[FD.]

That Marble looks awesome.  I will have to try that.  

[clayton86]

Yeah it was pretty simple I just used rustoleum primer in whiteness drops of paint in a bucket of water a few swirrels of a stick and bam. I tried black primer but as you can see it didn't work. It has like a "ghost" swirl to it you can see it in certain light or angle.

[clayton86]

Rods are dipped and awaiting clear coat probably clear them tonight when the kids go to sleep.

[clayton86]

Got the first one finished last night and left iron the drier overnight. Definitely a lot harder on that tiny ice blank then a arrow shaft to do the wraps.

[Fishinthefish]

I personally can't wait until I'm able to get into rod building. I do love the work though, the marble looks fantastic.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Looks pretty good. If I may, pack your wraps every 10 turns or so and burnish to close any gaps, especially with light colored line on a dark blank. 

 

It's not going to take a lot of epoxy to cover those few wraps, but mix at least 2.5-3 cc of each part and measure accurately & mix thoroughly to ensure proper curing. In the grand scheme of thing epoxy is cheap and a little waste is to be expected.  

[clayton86]

Looks pretty good. If I may, pack your wraps every 10 turns or so and burnish to close any gaps, especially with light colored line on a dark blank.

It's not going to take a lot of epoxy to cover those few wraps, but mix at least 2.5-3 cc of each part and measure accurately & mix thoroughly to ensure proper curing. In the grand scheme of thing epoxy is cheap and a little waste is to be expected.

I mixed 3cc and barely used 1.5 lol I bought the fancy mixer from mud hole also.

I have a hard time starting my wraps especially on the ice blank it was so flimsy I couldn't keep enough tension to be effective without it bending the rod.

The resin really darkens the thread also and makes it transparent.

That one was the 17" bream buster blank I'm gonna do my 24" ML rod tonight should be a little easier.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You can use CP (Color Preserver) or NCP (No Color Preserver needed) thread to counteract the darkening and translucent look, but I prefer it in most cases.