Hi! Just registered and want to say hello. Am an amateur rodbuilder:o, though its actually an extreme exaggeration. I started only late last year and have built three rods so far. Still making mistakes, learning from them and making new ones (mistakes, that is, but have plans for new rods as well;)). Hope to learn from you guys and improve my skills.
Cheers,:)
Fatso

I have just finished my 3rd bass rod but am lost when it comes to making a custom label. I have reviewed the pens etc but due to my penmanship I don’t think that is an option. Please advise about labelmakers etc.

Is it ok to use isopropal alcohol to prep my blank and clean up excess epoxy while gluing up my handle? Also is it necessary to use color preserver on my nylon type A thread. thanks

So…. I think I need a new rod. I am looking to build a 7′-7′6" ultralight to light spinning rod. I want to use micro gudes and a split cork grip. This rod will be used for small mouth bass. I would appreciate any advice. On a side note I love the batson and rainshadow blanks that I have bulit on, exspecially the 10′8" switch rods. Keep up the good work Batson.

Tom

I have a fetish for preferring the finish on a rod wrap to be no thinker than necessary. That said I have been using LS supreme ( lite ) and thin is a contradiction with it as heat or thinning is not recommended. What is my best option, Flex Coat/ Or is there another product that I can use that is thin that I can put on in multiple coats.

May sound a little dumb but I can get LS to the same thickness on the wrap as on top of the foot but it is a bear and a pain on light fly rods. Another way to say it is the finish wants to be the same thickness as the foot + thread + finish on the sides and bottom. I prefer it to be the exact thickness as the finish on top of the foot which gives you a very flat finished wrap without all the extra finish just leveling itself out.

So any suggestions on what I could use?

Still sounds like a dumb question.

This was a fun build. I did simple wraps on this one. And a couple of inlays.

Mike

Attached Thumbnails

   

The 823 got the most use by far.

http://www.carolinafishingtv.com/New_Episode.html