Hey flechero,
Hows the rod building going? What blanks did you get?   

Hey flechero,
Did you get to read the e-mail, and did the spiral setup I use confuse you.....

Hey ReelMech, is there enough height on the leg of a BLG to use the Forhan locking wrap?

Thanks!

ReelMech,

I hit a roadblock yesterday... all those "premium flor grade" cork rings I ordered... from 2 different suppliers, looked like they came off of a shotgun range!  They were pitted up like the inside of a loaf of homemade bread!  Not even comfortable to hold in the hand.  What a bunch of garbage!  I glued em up anyway and turned a couple grips just to test out my home made lathe.  I turned out some nice grips, to bad they were just for practice, since the cork was so bad.  I had $50 worth of practice yesterday... and all I have to show for it is an angry streak.    I should have sent them back but I was dying to do something rod building related.

Who sells good cork?  I spent $2/ring and got taken to the cleaners!  The pictures they show, were at least 3-4 grades higher than what I recieved.  

I was thinking of ordering some of Andy Dear's exotic burl, it looks good and I've heard others say it was good quality.  Have you tried it?  If not, do you have any suggestions on a supplier?

As always...  Thanks!!

-keith

I've had an email into Andy, I think he's took some time off for Christmas.  I'll be ordering some exotic burl along with my other odds and ends when I hear from him.

Do you have a picture of any of your split grips?  I'd like to see them.  I have been thinking about it for some of my upcoming projects... and since learning that burl is heavier (thanks to you) I think it may make the most sense as well.

Thanks,

-keith

ReelMech,

As many questions as I ask you, I ought to put you on a retainer!!   Thanks for the links, you make some great looking rods!  Sometimes I need a visual to help me work through it.

I also was unable to get into the .org site today.  But instead the mailman brought me all the backissues of rodmaker mag I ordered so I spent the afternoon reading.  I have decided (and i have agonized over how I wanted to build them) to go with a split grip, no foregrip, cut down fuji exposed seat and a bumper set up.  All I have heard and read tells me this will fit my style perfectly!  All I have to do now is build it.  I'm expecting the remainder of my ordered (spinning) components to arrive tomorrow or Friday so hopefully I'll get a good jump on things this weekend.  I'll be starting on the spinning rod first since I'll not be able to use a BC for probably another 3-4 months.  If the Dr. gives me a good report next week, I'll probably be able to use spinning gear by early Feb '06.  

Have you had trouble balancing spinning rods with the split grip?  I used to have a Diawa Light/tough spinning rod, the only one I ever had with a split grip but it was also the best spinning rod I had owned at the time... so I don't know if it was the grip or rod I liked.  ...lol  I expect a spin rod to be tip heavy but like to keep it to a minimum if I can.  

One more bumper question for you... Why do they suggest using a small (8 or 7 ring) bumper and then back to a "normal" rest of the ring sizes... it seems to me if you choke to a 7 or 8 then there would be no need to go back up and then down again towards the tip.  Am I out of line?  I figure if I go to an 8 bumper. I'll stick with 8 and then 7's as running guides since the line has already been choked down.

Thanks again for all of your help!!!!  Don't worry about answering my questions if you have reels waiting...  I can wait until you have free time.  

You are a true gentleman and a class act, a sincere thank you for all the help you have provided!

-keith

I will go slow, I'd rather take the extra time to do it all right the first time around than rush for the sake of finishing a rod.  Besides, I have lots of (good) rods to use until I can get a few of "mine" made.

ReelMech,

I placed an order with Andy Dear today, got a bunch of his exotic burl and a few more blanks.  ...lol I couldn't resist.  I had one specific blank in mind when I called him and ended up getting 5.  He bought a bunch of the blank stock from AllStar since they are no longer going to sell blanks to the public, needless to say he's got them priced to move fast.  Now I'll have blanks and cork on hand, when I get the urge, just order some guides and a reel seat.  I don't expect to get bored at all in the next few months!

Do you use alconites at all?  I am just thinking about a less expensive, good guide to use on these AllStar blanks.  I have 2 of them set aside in my head for gifts once they are built (assuming I can make em pretty!)  I want them to be high quality but don't want to break the bank on give aways.