ejtaylor822 Posted February 20, 2010 Posted February 20, 2010 Made these up to put in the display case at this year's Custom Rod Builders Exposition (ICRBE) in High Point this weekend. The top rod is soon to be personal favorite. This is a "prototype" cranking rod built on a Lamiglas fiberglass blank - same blank that is used in the Skeet Reese line. Have not fished it yet, but the action, IMHO, is going to be superb for cranks. Nothing like big ol' soft fiberglass for cranks and I love the way it feels. Its a little on the heavy side, but feels nice. The bottom is a new frog rod built on a CastAway Mag bass. This is a very stout rod and hope it sees a lot of action this spring! Should make an excellent pitching rod as it is VERY stiff with a nice fast tip. Both rods are 1 piece 7' and spiral wrapped. The Frog rod has #4 micros; the fiberglass rod has #5 running guides. As can tell, I have been fooling around with painting reel seats and cork inlays. Micro guide on the CastAway frog rod. Reel seat on the frog rod. Went with blue over silver to match the rod and faded in the silver in an attempt to make it look holographic - kind of weak, probably won't do that again..... Chevron wrap on the cranking rod. Butt guide looking towards spiral Don't know why, but, I always like to make the bumper different. Give it a more elegant look.?? Not sure why, just been doing it on every spiral have built... Quote
Steven Ladner Posted February 20, 2010 Posted February 20, 2010 Both look great, but I really like the split grip. Nice work! Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted February 20, 2010 Posted February 20, 2010 Very nice ej! I've used the same Lamiglass blank. You'll like it. 8-) Quote
I Love BassResource Posted February 20, 2010 Posted February 20, 2010 Your taking your rod building into the next level Eddie. There is some fantastic artwork going on in those rods, I can see a ton of time and patience. Really nice, thanks for sharing! Quote
hitchhiker Posted February 20, 2010 Posted February 20, 2010 Nice work! Love the way the inlays on the grip turned out. If you don't mind me asking, how long is the butt on the cranking rod, and what size seat did you use for the exposed blank? Been wanting to order the same blank but didn't know what size reel seat to order. I have a set of titanium framed sic's just begging to be used. Quote
RobE Posted February 20, 2010 Posted February 20, 2010 Your Forhan wrap looks a lot cleaner than 90% of mine, EJ. I need to work on that. Good looking builds, buddy! Quote
hmongkidBee Posted February 21, 2010 Posted February 21, 2010 very nice. Man you're a good no not good I mean great rod builder. Quote
Super User flechero Posted February 22, 2010 Super User Posted February 22, 2010 Well done, Eddie! Superb attention to detail. Quote
FishingBuds Posted February 22, 2010 Posted February 22, 2010 NIcely don Eddie, each time you out do yourself in IMHO, I'm building my first micro guides finally, they look fun to wrap,lol ;D I went with the MHX782 Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted February 22, 2010 Super User Posted February 22, 2010 EXCELLIANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
Super User islandbass Posted February 23, 2010 Super User Posted February 23, 2010 Wow. It just makes me want to really give rod building a try now! Great work, Eddie! Quote
AndrewVT Posted February 23, 2010 Posted February 23, 2010 Have you used the Fuji Alconite micros? I am about to build my first rod with them and wanted to see how they compare to the Batson's. It seems a bunch of people use the Batson's when talking about micros Quote
ejtaylor822 Posted February 24, 2010 Author Posted February 24, 2010 Thanks, guys. Really appreciate the feedback. Nice to get the comments for something I enjoy and put so much into. Thanks again. @hitchhiker, no do not mind asking at all - part of the sharing. The rear grip is 10" and the reel seat is the fuji ECSM17-17 - the biggest one they have - and still ended up drilling it out about 1/32" of an inch to get it on that big blank. Was just too tight when I got it. When in doubt about the fit of the exposed reel seat on the blank, I call Mudhole and they have always got the right seat for me. I tell them where I want to put the seat and they find me the right size. Every time. AndrewVT, I have only used Fuji micros and ATC - prefer the fujis. I have heard what folks like the most about the Baston's is the longer neck - easier to wrap and less chance of finish getting up on the ring. But, I like the shorter neck, just sits lower on the blank is what I like. Put two wraps on as part of the Forhan loop and keep the finish coats light and have not had any problems. A lot of folks swear by the Batson's though. Thanks again for the comments. Would love to put them in your hands and let you throw them though and get your comments..... Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted February 24, 2010 Super User Posted February 24, 2010 Don't mean to hijack ej's thread but I'd like to chime in on the micros. I prefer the Fuji's also. The geometry is more pleasing to the eye (IMO). The ring on an Alconite is thinner than the Batson. A #4 Alconite is smaller (in overall frame dimension) than a #3 Batson. Quote
hitchhiker Posted February 24, 2010 Posted February 24, 2010 @hitchhiker, no do not mind asking at all - part of the sharing. The rear grip is 10" and the reel seat is the fuji ECSM17-17 - the biggest one they have - and still ended up drilling it out about 1/32" of an inch to get it on that big blank. Was just too tight when I got it.When in doubt about the fit of the exposed reel seat on the blank, I call Mudhole and they have always got the right seat for me. I tell them where I want to put the seat and they find me the right size. Every time. Thank you, I think I'll give Mudhole a call Quote
AndrewVT Posted February 26, 2010 Posted February 26, 2010 AndrewVT, I have only used Fuji micros and ATC - prefer the fujis. I have heard what folks like the most about the Baston's is the longer neck - easier to wrap and less chance of finish getting up on the ring. But, I like the shorter neck, just sits lower on the blank is what I like. Put two wraps on as part of the Forhan loop and keep the finish coats light and have not had any problems. A lot of folks swear by the Batson's though. I was planning on the forhan wrap, but now I know not to try and squeeze 3 wraps on there. I was going to use tiny strips of rubber tubing to hold the guides while I start the wrap, is that how you guys do it? I have also heard that some use zip ties, but they seems like they would be difficult to cut. What method do you use? Quote
I Love BassResource Posted February 27, 2010 Posted February 27, 2010 x3 on the fuji micro. I'm still using some batson micros, they work very well, but as stated the fuji frames are better/smaller overall. Once my current inventory of batson guides run out I'll be going to the fuji's exclusively. I use a thin piece of cut masking tape for test casting, weight distribution testing, and finally wrapping. I've tried tubing and ties, but found them both to much of a hassle to deal with. Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted February 27, 2010 Super User Posted February 27, 2010 What method do you use? I use the vinyl tubing, 4 different sizes of it. I still use a Forhan wrap, but had to modify it. I go with 2 locking wraps instead of 3. and 2 blocking wraps after the locking wrap. Quote
Billme Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 Just a quick question - where is this show in High Point? Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted February 28, 2010 Super User Posted February 28, 2010 Just a quick question - where is this show in High Point? It was at the ShowPlace. http://www.icrbe.com/id7.html Quote
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