justtrying

ok guys, i've modded, re-modded, & modded the re-mods, so, i guess "that time" is here. "that time" - time to build one from scratch. i re-modded a st croix ultra lite, really liked the results, but, it was only 6' long. ....i want a "top of the line, first class" ultra lite, 6'6" - 7" long. unlike a lot of you guys, i'm not rich, but, i don't want money to be a factor w/this rod. i'll be using it for pan fish, throwing small beetle spins, roadrunners, etc.. . i plan to put a 1000 stella on it, spooled w/2-4 lb YZ ultra soft. i'd like a really nice, sensitive, blank. ..also, really light, strong, guides, and, a reel seat that i'll finish similar to the one Triton Mike put on his reel that he displayed on the "let's see some custom sticks" thread. now, what do i need? EVERYTHING!!!! ...i have sandpaper, files, thread, threadmaster, paint, and That's IT! i dont' even have broke rods to make "reaming" rods from (but, i may have some after this project! Wheeeeeee.) it's gonna be my first, "from Scratch" rod. ..i want it to be good. i dont' want to throw money away, but, i don't want to look back later & think, "man, for five dollar more, i could have.......etc., etc., i know this will take a lot of your time & effort, & if you think it's asking too much, then, i'll understand. ..i'll just appreciate Anything you can help (advise) me with. so, in advance, THANKS, for any input.

Quote from Triton Mike - "Here is my custom spinning rod that I made up. I absolutely love this design." yeah, he loves it - and I Do Too - But, he won't give it to me! ...will you mike, will you, huh, huh??? ...just Half kidding. hey, since so many have contacted you about it, why don't you hook up w/reelmech or george (or someone) & make one for sale? i know you don't have the time to build them, but, it sure is popular.

no, i didn't seal it - what do you use for sealing them? ...i know this sort of thing is nothing compared to what you guys do, but, thanks for the kudos - ...maybe one day.

a guy had this st croix avid & a couple of the guides needed re-wrapping, so, he sold it to me at a bargain. - it is/was a 7' mh st croix avid w/sciii blank ( i Love the feel of the finished product) i hope the pictures turn out ok, so you can see what i've done. i sanded the handle, split the grip & took off the foregrip next, removed the guides & did a spiral wrap (rather than having just one eye offset, i used 4 for the transition.) rather than using a winding check, i used thread & epoxy to build a ramp & then added some gold winding for decoration. when i was mixing some paint on a plate for marbelizing, i accidentally put on too thick gold pigment, but, liked the "oriental look" it gave on the black base coat. since i'm using an imported shimano on this rod, i decided to go w/this look, rather than marbeling it. now, i hope i can go out & catch a "good 'ol big'un" on it! Wheeeeeeeeeeee

keith, i've got a nice metal building, air conditioned, one area carpeted, plenty of tables, chairs, tools, etc., that i built just for a hobby/play building. -- now all i need is for you to move close by & bring all your "rod building goodies" & we'd be all set up. ...and, if you don't want to move, just Visit for a few weeks! LOL maybe we could talk reelmech into joining us & show us (you know, let him do all the work ) how to build a handle like the one he built w/the rings in it! what does bob barker say???? "Come On Down!"

reelmech, this rod is an exact representation of why i'd want to build a custom rod. it's Beautiful, it's Classy, its a "one of a kind," it's absolutely Custom - the owner will be thrilled to not only use, but, to show off this rod to all his buddies. if you could just walk into a store & buy one like it, then, it would lose it's uniqueness, but, you Can't! i know, "it's just a fishing rod" but, you should feel good about this one, for it will set a standard that a lot of us will strive to reach in our rod building.

hey flech, two COOL ideas! ...i like the ckrbrd, just something different, but it stands out. makes the rod a little more "custom" a little more unique. as far as butt caps & balancing, it's a Great idea, but you have so many rods, i can't see you using 1 rod for 2 applications ---you'd just build another rod! (hey, that's what all those blanks from all star are for! - what do they say? "so many blanks, so little time!" Wheeeeeeeeeeee)

awwww, man, THAT IS SWEET! ...i see LOTS more of those in your future - i think you're on to something my friend.

Thanks guys - VERY MUCH! ...i really wish there was something i could do for you guys, i know you hear it often, but this means a LOT to me. .....maybe one day.....

and, i emphasize the word, novice. this probably should be in the form of a pm to one of you guys, but, i thought it might be questions other beginners may like to have answered as well.. soooo - 1) do any of you guys use jigs, or something like them, to align the guides on the rod? do you "eyeball" them? ..mark w/pencil? ..iow,, how do you align your guides? 2) same song, different verse, ...on a spiral wrap, do you align the first guide in top center of rod, or, do you "nudge" it to bumper side? 3) on last two or three guides before tip, do you glue guides down, or, do anything different? ...i tore a factory made rod down & there was NO thread at all on top three guides, just epoxy. ...is this common? 4) most of the rods i "re-modded" had hook keepers above the fore grip. after i removed fg, it left 3 or 4 inch space above reel seat blank. i just built a ramp over seat & painted blank area. ...do you think it would have looked better to have removed hook keeper & put it nearer reel seat? (actually, the hook keeper was on the same area as name tag, etc., & it would have been Very difficult to have removed it & make the area look Professional.) 5) is there something you can put on casting reel seats on older rods to restore their "new" look? 6) do most of you use masking tape to hold guides in place before wrapping? if not, what do you use? (i read on rodbuilding.org about rubber bands, etc., but, i guess it's a trial & error thing - just want to hear different options) 7) ....i guess the most importan question - "is there anything you can do for these old arthritic hands to make them function like they did 20 years ago?? Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee THANK YOU - in advance for any help. ronnie

know a preacher who loved to fish, but his congregation was on his back all the time about visiting members. sooo, he named his boat "Visitation." ....when he was fishing & someone called & asked where he was, his wife said, "he's out on visitation!" LOL

guys, i don't know where they got those rings, but, after "tearing down, different manf. rods, i see where AllPro does lots of things that others don't. let me just give you a few examples: 1)graphite handle rings -- they may not help, but, i assure they don't hurt,,, these are, indeed, the most sensitive rods i've ever used 2) they wrap all their APX series (don't know about others) w/heavy gauge thread ("d" instead of "a" ...saltwater tough) 3) they use titanium guides ..best looking, most expensive, guides i've seen on ANY shelf rods 4) they personally "spline" each rod (i re-did a st croix & it had a mark where the spline was, but the guides were 1/3 way around the blank!!!) 5) they're all made in America! i know these rods don't have the recognition of the "hush, whisper, awe" loomis, but, i betcha 40 dollars to a doughnut they're a more sensitive (& i believe, better built!) and, lastly, & i'll close this ad, call them & talk w/billy or some of the other staff. i think you'll find they're the most friendly, try to help, group of guys you've ever dealt with. ...they're good guys selling good stuff!

since i've been changing so many rods to split grip, naturally, i want to look at the advantages. i fished today, threw a rogue quite a bit & MAN, did i like the split grip on that rod! the split grip gives you control like the pistol grip on the old rods i had - but, you also have the extended end below if you need extra "chunking" power. i don't think you would be able to tell a lot, but, it actually is a little lighter. it just "feels" Great. on the "looks cool" factor, it must be an 8 or 9 it gives me something to do to keep me involved in the "fishing habit" even when it's windy & raining. i haven't bought a loomis yet, but, i may just buy one to "mod the grip" on it. now, THAT would be a cool loomis!

sorry it took so long to reply i've been FISHING! :) but, back to the threamaster, yes, it's like GLASS. it really looks good. and, no, i didn't get any cork, but, i did get a few little incidentals & am sure i'll get some other things later >>>i need EVERYthing! LOL ...but, hey, you know how you eat an elephant.....a little bit at a time. i've also been going back tonite reading the posts by you & reelmech & now that i'm doing some of the things you were writing about, it's beginning to soak in a little. thanks guys

after trying some other epoxy (5 min, 20 min, 30 min, different manf.), i heeded flechero's advice & got some Threadmaster. in fact, after having my email come back, i called the number listed online & talked w/Andy Dear (the owner.) had a really good conversation, he actually talked to me, a customer, as if he cared! ...& i think he did! well, today, i finally covered some guide wraps w/Threadmaster & WOW! let me tell you, i'm so green in this thing til it would take me a year to be a novice, but, they actually looked GOOD! ..i'm telling you, from a "babe in the woods" greenhorn, try it, you'll like it, or, as Ish said, "get you some of this!" FWIW - Correct email - andy@lamarfishing.com

in the term of my grandkids - "cooool, guys" ...great ideas --- now i've got something else to learn - but i reallyl like the concept. thanks

t mike - hey, what a Great idea. ..THAT'S why i like you guy's input. i'm able to get all the little tricks that you had to learn the hard way ...different colors for different purpose rods opens a whole new ball game. thanks ronnie

i know you guys must think i'm a complete dufus, but, this really is a serious question. since i'm using existing cork & not adding new, i don't have the opportunity to put winding checks at the end of cork before wrapping. ...which leads to question,,, is there some time of a "split" or wrappable (I know there's no such word,..probably no such product either! LOL) or Anykind of check i can put on the end of cork before i wrap? ...anything to make it look a little more neat before i start "re-doing" the "re-dos" ....cause i Sure Don't Want to have any Re-doing of the Re-Done! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and, btw, ReelMech ...Thanks for the marbelizing post ...that would really be the bomb on some of these things.

MAN OH MAN OH MAN! WOW, FLECH, i was away yesterday & didn't get to log on to see what was going on, but, MAN, what a day you had. ..talk about a "kid in a candy store!" and..."aquiring" blanks Wow ....i haven't even built my first one yet, & am envious of all those blanks. just think of the fun you're going to have building & having the opportunity to "pick & choose" the blank you think will be approriate. that is going to be cool. ..and, think of the joy your wife is going to have reminding you that you can't spend 10 thousand dollars picking guides, reel seats, cork, etc., etc., to build all those rods! Wheeeeeeeeeeeee anyway, congrats. that was cool that you got that opportunity (and those blanks :)) ,,,now, if reelmech & i lived close by, we would certainly pay you a "social visit!" ...Oh Yes We Would! Heee Heee Have Fun Bro --- you deserve it.

aggie & g3, couple of answers; ...first, those "rings" are graphite rings that allpro puts in their handles so the customer can feel the slightest "tap." ..it's as if you were holding the blank; indeed, the most sensitive rods i have ever used. "What Am I Doing? Just Sanding?" ..i'm probably doing it wrong, but, i take a razor boxknife & cut the foregrip off (as much as possible) ..use the same knife & mark around handle, cut away as much cork as i feel safe about, use wood rasp & cut away a little more, heat w/blow dryer, use knife again, put "goo gone" on rag, wipe area, re-heat, etc., etc., til it's Clean! then i get to play & practice my wrapping technique, get to play w/epoxy, paint, & even use a toothpick as a paintbrush to put my name on the blank. i learn something on EVERY handle. my plans are to do about 15 or so, then, "begin at the beginning" & try to make them look a little more professional. it's really kind of fun, once you get started & NO JOKE, they Fish MUCH BETTER. ....someone is missing out on a Golden Opportunity, because, once a person fishes with one of their own split grips they're going to want MORE of them done. ..if you don't believe it, try one & see! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

whittler, those really are some good looking baits. ...Great job.

Man, this working on rods takes a LOT longer than one might assume. Believe me, if you purchase a "Custom Made" rod, you've got your money's worth. ...individuals don't build rods to make money, they do it for the "love of the game." .....(unless, they're Much quicker than i am! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee) most of the front row done, but, hey, got a Long way to go! same rods, just different angle

well, guys, i got the "fishing fever" cooled a little last week, so, today, it's back to the shop, 'taking perfectly good rods & screwing them up' - just so i can have split grips on them. LOL i think i'm going to fix the bulk of the rods, then, go back, re-wrap, put epoxy like it should be (as opposed to one big Glop on top of crooked wraps. ;D) & generally try to make them look presentable. but, as for topic of this post - i've got a st croix avid AC70MF, that i bought to compare st croix w/some of the other rods i have. it's really a nice rod - sciii graphite, fuji ecs reel seat & above the hook keeper, it has "USA" DI08858 written on it. it also has "made in the USA written below the specs. the handle is not "humped"- it actually is smaller in the middle than ends, & it has a really large fore grip. i'm assuming this is an older rod, but it's in great shape. anyway, i want to take the guides off & make it a spiral wrap. soooo, do i use the same number of guides (it has 9 plus tip, now.) would these same guides be ok to use w/spiral wrap? do i leave the first wrap where it is & just move others? is there any reason why this rod wouldn't make a good candidate for spiral wrapping? (btw, it's matte finish) thanks ronnie

***, ***, Drool, Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee MAN, that rod looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! after doing just a little grunt work on rods & seeing what is really involved in making them, Great, jumps up to FANTASTIC! ...it really is a sweet looking rod. i congratulate you on it & hope you catch your Personal Best on your first outing. but, you know what, no matter What size/kind you catch, it will be sweet, just because it's on "Your Rod." i don't see it any time soon, but, ONE DAY, i hope to post a pic of one that i've built as well, but, right now, it's not about me, or jim or sam or bob (whoever they are! LOL), it's about YOU and a really good result on a fine product. Thanks for sharing.

hey guys, haven't posted back in a few about my further adventures of rod re-modding & wanted to bring you up to date. first, MAN, i wish i would have started this in the winter when it was too cold to fish. because, even tho, i've got a cast on, i've GOT to figure a way to go fishing! this warm weather & fish biting is Killing ME! LOL ....anyway, i've got 5 done, but was thinking yesterday that i probably will go back & re-do them, for my wrapping is beginning to look a little better than it did on the first ones. ...who knows, maybe after 15 or 20, i MAY be able to wrap one. Hee Hee anyway, LOTS of things happening to put all this on backburner: 1) - it's 4 in the morning when i start this post - my 4 yr old grandson is w/me til Easter & i KNOW where my time will be spent! ..but, hey, i'm Thrilled. 2) - i want to get me some of the threadmaster you guys recommended (& a few other things) 3) - did i mention i wanted to Go FISHING? 4) - it's only work if you'd rather be doing something else, & right now, i'd rather be doing something else, so, instead of enjoying working on the rods, i keep thinking of other things i'd rather be doing, so, it's become work.... ...that means a few days off from this. 5) - Fresh Strawberries are in & my wife & kids (& their families) will be using my shop for a few days, putting up berries for the rest of the year ....and, pushing my "important" rod working, to the side. so, anyway, i want to ask you guys lots of other things, and, i hope in the near future to do so, but, for right now, Thank You, for getting me started. it really means a lot. ...and, i'll be "bugging you again in the future" ...but, for right now, Hope You Guys Have a Wonderful Easter Holiday, Hope things are good with your Health & with your Family, & hope you catch some "Good 'ol Big 'uns" ... Thanks Guys ronnie