I Love BassResource

I dunno, I need to shack up with someone if I do. My relocation to Guntersville is still very probable, so if I do move I'm not sure what kind of leave I'll be able to take. I'd love to go though...

As you know, the job of the butt guide is to simply keep the line off the blank while the blank is under load. I'm using a 6mm at about 90 degrees, than a 4 to transition the line to running 3mm guides to the tip. I often have to split my tops as well and have never had a problem with one coming loose. Again, great build!

Man, I really like the real seat, the guide selection, the handle layout... You did a killer job! I'm a huge spiral wrap and micro guide fan. I think you've built a rod you'll enjoy for quite some time. Superb job!

I can also make out a decorative strip that goes on a wallet or a belt.

All the rods you've listed will make incredible fishing rods. I have experience with Rainshadow, Castaway, All Star, and St Croix blanks. I have personally used the 822 -the model listed here http://www.swamplandtackle.com/products.asp?cat=33 and its currently one of the rods in my core arsenal. The 822 is incredibly light and very sensitive (2.1 oz). I feel its one of the best values to be had. It will fish as good if not better than blanks that are much more expensive. Thats not to say the other blanks are inferior, but I would likely choose the castaway based on the price/performance ratio.

It looks spelt right to me :-?

Once again, your work looks fantastic Eddie. I appreciate you sharing.

thanks for the info guys. My hand are just now starting to really callus over, I've ripped them up pretty good over the past couple of months.

I missed it as well, but it looks like everyone had fun. I'll pay attention next year!

They have a lengthy post on tackle underground about fluxing lead. A guy there that seems to be a seasoned metallurgist says that if you don't light the smoke created by the wax, than the process is in vain. I've started chucking in a cube piece of wax, and light the smoke with a grill lighter. It seems to have a pretty significant effect on the fluxing process.

Why not? You look like a Gene Autrey type of guy. And here I was, trying to convince AJ that you were an OK guy. Next time we're locking Brody in the room your sleeping in.

I've utilized a bunch of vendors, but my core purchases go to mudhole and swampland. I'd purchase every single item I needed from swampland, but they specialize more in the blank arena and don't normally carry many components or tools. I'd agree with EJ 100%, find a vendor that carries your line of items and learn their blank characteristics. It'll save you time/money when trying to accomplish a build to suit a specific task.

I read on rodbuilder that Lance from swampland makes those reamers. I've been making my own using the method described by flechero, but I'm itching to either turn grips down and put them on mine, or just buy one of the ones you've listed. I bet their easy on you hands.

I had a cousin buy me a Gene Autry cassette tape a couple of years ago. I still haven't quite figured that one out...

Rainshadow blanks are great blanks. The RX8 is a superb blank, very light and sensitive. The RX7 is a great blank and considered an incredible value. I can't say much about swimbait rods, as I've never built one. I have used the Castaway XP3 904 and 905 to build flipping rods. Both rods turned out great, very light and sensitive for big punchin sticks. Lately I haven't been putting an epoxy or finish on my current rods. Depending on the blank you choose, most will come fully finished. I've been hand sanding most of my blanks, to removing whatever finish comes on the rod. Its a small weight savings, but it adds up. The finish looks just like most Kistler rods I've seen, black matte. I have used Gudebrod one part rod finish to coat a couple of blanks this week that were intended as Christmas presents and it seemed to work really well. The finish was hard/glossy and really brought out detail in the blank. I've only built 20+ rods, so I'm still learning things. If you don't already I'd suggest you read ww.rodbuilding.org. Its full of experienced rod builders, and you can get solid answers to most any question.

Pretty much, in addition the process will make your wraps look uniform and smooth. I have this tool and its great, but when I started using micro guides I stopped using it.

IMHO - twitchin bar is gimmick. I can/do use a flipping switch tho. Its not at all required, but once I started using it, things just seemed a bit more fluid. The absence of a flipping switch would never sway my decision to buy a reel.

I'll pay a hundred bucks(and other misc fees) to watch one of those cats for three straight days. I could care less if chumps down the line snicker at my cool pimpin Bass marshall shirt. 8-)

My lathe is almost exactly like that one. It works out great for cork/burl handles, I have no idea how it works with wood tho.

IMHO, its probably the greatest start for any rod builder. The books takes you through things step by step.

I'm by no means a guru, but the gest of it would include A blank A real Seat Guides + tip top Wrapping thread (likely size A) Handle (pre form/Cork/burl rings/blocks) Finish Epoxy/handle epoxy Possibly Arbors (preform, cork rings, drywall tape, etc.) tools two books (thread tension) coffee cup (to hold thread) Two Homemade v blocks Razor blade/Scapel/Xacto Possibly reamers (make them out of an old rod and some sandpaper strips) (optional) Hook keeper winding checks etc.. This site got hacked/screwed up so searching the archives is a bit borked, but head there and read, read, read http://www.rodbuilding.org

I much prefer the ACS seats over the ECS version, but I vastly prefer skeleton seats over anything. http://www.swamplandtackle.com/products.asp?cat=34 The skeleton spin seats are like the ones found on carrot sticks.

Thought I would share some of my latest hacks. Two of the rods are requested Christmas gifts. The plain Jane split grip with the curado is my personal spinner bait setup. The handles still need some final clean up, as I've been test casting/fishing with each rod. 7'6 XP3 Split grips and spiral wrapped micro guides 7' All Star Blank Spinning, 3 guide transition, micro run to tip 6'9 XP3 Casting, split grips spiral micro guides

With my latest batch of rods, I've been focusing on weight. I've been slowly scaling back items to obtain the lightest weight rods possible. For me, cork is light, functional, and relatively cheap, so thats what I've been using of late.

I gotta echo the_natural and jimzee. That finish is simply superb. I'd definitely buy one!