MikeK

Pretty close for the ones I listed above . . . Spin: 3S68MXF STC SC3 Spinning Blank 6'8" 1pc 6-12# B0.515 T4.5 Cast: 3C68MXF-F STC Bass 6'8" 1pc 8-14# B0.52 T4.5

My old St Croix blank catalogs are gone but when they stopped selling blanks Mud Hole had a cross reference to MHX blanks on their website. St Croix had casting and spinning versions of blanks, so as an example from that cross reference 3S68MXF 6-12# cross to MXH DS821 with CCS power 310 grams 3C68MXF 8-14# cross to MHX MB812XF with CCS power 617 grams Since they break down finished rods as spinning or casting that might follow but I do not know.

Wow!

I don't have a SK2 casting seat to weigh, but if the handles are what you posted in the ECSM reel seat thread then you also have a lot more cork with the ECSM than with the SK2 both in length and thickness. Everything adds weight so if lightest is most important, get a scale and weigh each component and the cumulative build as you go and then use that info for parts for future builds. FWIW the ECSM average weight is 0.85 oz. Found weight for SKTPSM-16: 0.6 oz without arbors.

I prefer tension on the sides of the spool with a flexible reverse tension device. I use 4 different wrappers at times and they all are set up that way. Don't know about better but that is how I learned a long time ago. Look at the CRB Core as an inexpensive basic but well designed hand wrapper.

Sent you a message.

The MHX MB843 is the swiss army knife of bass rods. It will do a lot of different techniques well.

Always like to hear the history too from both the older manufacturers and the rod builders who have built for a long time! It seems weird that Rich Forhan worries about about components to shave a few grams while using a set of heavy composite blanks for the Magic Wands: BSC7801 to BSC7808 range from 2.45 to 3.75 ounces according to the Thrasher website.

That has similar flex to the SWB967 which is rated 3-8 oz. The FP is slightly faster so with a real hard casting stroke you are putting a lot of pressure on the tip with heavier swimbaits. Otherwise should work.

I have all three on MHX MB752-XF and on MHX SB812HM and I can't say I notice any difference.

CRB SPSWB7XXH deflects 5" at tip with 16 oz CRB T80XH deflects 7" at tip with 16 oz MHX SW70XH deflects 6" at tip with 16 oz Going grouper fishing?

Good job on the cork!

"If I chucked them into some sort of lathe I could have sanded them together while glued to the rod." With a lathe and live center tailstock it is real easy to shape a butt cap on a short mandrel or piece of dowel. You are using a drill press so you should be able to rig something similar using a bearing in a block of wood for the base.

ECSM 16 is not bulky. To me the most comfortable casting seat there is. Some prefer ACSM but the contour doesn't fit me as well. Don't know about those particular grips. I usually custom shape cork or EVA. Mud Hole CFX rear cast split grip matches up well.

Functional and easy and inexpensive . . . Fuji DPSM size 16 Pre shaped or custom shaped grip Short (even single ring) butt cap/fighting butt CRB SSR Guides 1 sz 8 double foot, 1 sz 6 single foot, sz 5 single foot runners Wire tip

Top two are uplocking, bottom one is downlocking with hidden thread hood and cork.

If you like that reel seat mock one up with threads to the back and the front grip going into the inlet. Moves the reel forward a little with the same length rear grip and keeps fingers off threads. See how it feels. I use the American Tackle version with the hidden thread hood if I want downlocking.

ETES610MXF balances tip up with guides and Daiwa Procyon 2500 Gudebrod Royal Blue Electra metallic for guide wraps

Grips for three in work . . . MHX MB812XF spin for shallow water redfish will use Sea Guide SS guides MHX NEPS81MLXF spin for weightless plastics for bass with American Pentalite black titanium guides Batson ETES610MXF spin also for weightless plastics for bass using CRB SSR guides

Northfork Composites. Make blanks, also Edge rods.

Pass on the CRB 701ML, it's a moderate fast action.

Like the hook keeper on top. Do you need finish on the decal?

Swampland Rods (Lance Dupre)

Why?

Should be able to easily chip it off the ring with a razor blade.