Well, I've gotten started on my newest projects. A matched pair (in terms of balance, action and colors) of fly rods. A 2wt for trout and sand bass (if I can get into range) and a 4wt for wild trout and small bass, etc. Who am I kidding, the 2wt will also be tried for smallies

I had to break my rule of no work in the garage when it's over 100 because were on day 42 in a row over 100 which translates to about 115-120 in the garage. I've been doing all my glue up in the laundry room and only been working outside to actually turn down the grips, early in the AM... did a little of that in the house when the wife went shopping. ...lol (thank goodness for shop vacs!!) She's not to impressed with cork dust so I've had to carefully choose my worktimes... mainly when she's asleep or shopping. ...lol

I'm taped up (guides) on the 2 wt and the tip top epoxy is curing on the 4 wt as I type this. I'll tape it up tomorrow and be ready to static test both of them. With any luck, I'll have them wrapped and ready for finish sometime this weekend.

Unfortunately I had a little "mishap" with the camera so no pics of progress right now. Hoping to have it back repaired by next week and at least I'll get a finished shot to post.

The 2 wt is a real challenge, trying to work with such a tiny tip section makes you feel all thumbs!! I feel like my fingers are the size of sausage chubs! (tip is a 3.5) I can't wait to start thread up there! ...lol I'm thinking it will be a lesson in humility!!

Flechero,

Good for you! I love building fly rods! Those small diameter shafts are definitely a challenge. The main reason I use a power wrapper and thread bobbin is it's easier for my arthritic hands to wrap those little ends.

There is something magic about a fly rod when it's 'just right' that doesn't happen with casting and spinning rods. IMHO.

PS: Don't share the secret. If some of these guys ever caught a heavy fish on a custom fly rod, they would become a slave to a whole new killer baitmonkey.  

Get that camera fixed and get them pictures up.

Ronnie

hey guys,

cool to hear from both of you

flech: -  a few years ago, i decided to build my "vacation home" in my back yard.  rather than going to the mountains or the sea, etc., i just took the money it would have cost & built me a nice metal building & furnished it "just for me"  really went all out.  ..it's got a living area, a kitchen area & the rest a storage & work area.  ..but, the main thing, in this heat ..it's got a Very Big AC unit!

i'm out there most of the time during the day, but, also, recently, i've spent a lot of time out there at night.  i'll work awhile (turning handles, reel seats, etc. -- breaking down some old rods to make new ones for the grandkids, etc.).  man, i wish there was a way i could get some of you guys down here where we could have a "build fest!"

anyway, glad you've got started on a new project & i'm with alpster,,,, keep us informed w/pics

alpster,

i had made reference in another post to your using bobbin.  i also have Very tough time w/small ends.  i built a moveable stand to hold tip when wrapping, but, still have problems.  ...do you wrap everything w/bobbin?  

do you just supply tension w/hand when power wrapping??  ...again, i sure would love to see you guys in action.  would just love to spend the day w/all of you while you were working, see all your little secrets.

oh well, i'm going to try to go over to the store a little while this afternoon, so, i better try to get a little work done here.

keep up the good work guys

ronnie

flechero,

I had to break my rule of no work in the garage when it's over 100 because were on day 42 in a row over 100 which translates to about 115-120 in the garage.

Now that is working in pure he!!...I thought you had a shop you were working in or on...Our heat up here has finally broken we only had 3 weeks of 100 to 100+ heat. The power bills for the house and the shop were and are still continuing to be mind blowing reading.....

I still after all the time I have spent building never tried to wrap up a fly rod. I think some day I might, but then I would have to find time to learn how to use one. The last lite system rod I built was a 3S70ULF 1/32-3/16 it was setup for a Quantum Micro System MS00 reel 2-6 lb test. The tip size on that was a 4.5 and I thought my fingers would never straighten out after wrapping that. The rod was like a buggy wip..

Alpster,

Don't share the secret. If some of these guys ever caught a heavy fish on a custom fly rod, they would become a slave to a whole new killer baitmonkey.

I don't think that we would have to worry about that. They have enough of a time learning how to cast baitcaster after spinning reels. That and if they think quality casting and spinning rods are expensive, then they will choke real bad at the price for a quality fly rod.

justtrying,

man, i wish there was a way i could get some of you guys down here where we could have a "build fest!"

I don't remember if I have asked this or not but were is down here? For Keith and I it is a matter of one of us walking either south or north for a state and a half. Now Alpster, if i'm not wrong would be a whole lot longer of a walk, from NJ.

Oh hey flechero I agree with the rest, get that camera fixed and start shootin some pics. I didn't get to shot any final pics for my last project, but I did describe it for ks.rodbender down in his thread...

Tight Wraps All!!!!

I thought you had a shop you were working in or on

Good memory, I was supposed to build it this spring but opted to wait a while. The wife and I got real aggressive in paying off all of our debt. We will be debt free (except the house) by year's end. The shop will wait until next year but in delaying it, she has agreed to more square footage, A/C and a few extra goodies so it will be better in the long run, plus we'll pay cash to build it.

There is something magic about a fly rod when it's 'just right' that doesn't happen with casting and spinning rods

For sure! The grip alone is worth any trouble in wrapping. I have larger than average hands so standard fly grips are horrible for my already marginal casting ability! ...lol

man, i wish there was a way i could get some of you guys down here where we could have a "build fest!"

It would be neat to get a group together and watch each other's strengths and techniques. The real time exchange of ideas and collective brainstorming would be worth the expense of such a trip. I bet all of us would learn a thing or two... even the master, ReelMech. And if not, we can teach him to flycast! ;D

That and if they think quality casting and spinning rods are expensive, then they will choke real bad at the price for a quality fly rod.

Yea! and for the guys that must have the very best, a 'Hardy Cascopedia' (not sure about spelling) but these go from 2500 to 4000 for a single freshwater fly reel. And like you said, real quality rods will begin in the 400 to 500 dollar range and there doesn't seem to be a limit on high end custom bambo rods. I saw a guy at the FLY show in Sommerset, NJ this past year throw down 3200 for a single rod. He had ordered it and had it delivered at show. These rods are something to behold.

I have wrapped more fly rods than spinning or casting. I love working on them. And yes, TX (I was born there) & KS (I have been there) are a little more than an afternoon ride on the motorcycle. I'm looking forward to a pic flechero's new project.

Ronnie

It would be neat to get a group together and watch each other's strengths and techniques.  The real time exchange of ideas and collective brainstorming would be worth the expense of such a trip.    I bet all of us would learn a thing or two... even the master, ReelMech.   And if not,  we can teach him to flycast!   ;D

Well, somebody plan it, I'm in. I would host it myself but it would probably be easier for me to do the cross country thing than for all you guys to travel so far. There is a huge rod builders convention every year. Last year it was in charlotte, NC. This year it's in High Point, NC. Maybe we could meet there. I have been wanting to go to this show and this would make a great excuse to just do it.

Here's a link to the info...  http://home.earthlink.net/~icrbe/

Ronnie

flechero,

(Now as far as master service tech on reels I would agree to that)

Belive me when I say this I am buy no means a master rod builder. Compared to most of the wrappers out there I am marginal at best. All I can match on some builders is time doing it. I have yet to ever do a weave or even attempt to do some of the less time consuming wraps that many of the builders you and I read about on RB.org.

I do have to agree though it would be a blast to get together and exchange ideas and do some brain storming, you never know there could be a whole new style of rod, just waiting for 3 or 4 heads banging together to come up with... 8-)

As for teaching me to fly cast, I can see that now.  

Alpster,

Yup that would be more than a days worth of bugs in the teeth ride for sure..

I have seen some of the fly rod builders work here at the sport shows $500 are the low end rods that I have seen. Can you imagine a bass angler spending $1500 on a high end rig.

Tight Wraps All!!!

There is a huge rod builders convention every year. Last year it was in charlotte, NC. This year it's in High Point, NC. Maybe we could meet there. I have been wanting to go to this show and this would make a great excuse to just do it.

I think I am going to go... if nothing else, get to see all the stuff I normally only see in a catalog... and probably spend way too much on "future" projects. ...lol I actually talked to the wife again about it- this morning and she gave her blessing. (I'll be saving my "allowance" from here on out!!)

Reelmech- you could write it off as a business expense while the rest of us have to call it vacation. ...lol

Alpster- do you or have you use the nickel winding checks? I ordered one to "see if I like it" for the 2 wt. I had to shape the end of the grip down a little... the full wells look on a 2 wt is comical. So I tapered the front ring down some and may use the nickel check to pull the eye away from the size differential in the grip to the .250" blank coming out of it. ...lol

I do have to agree though it would be a blast to get together and exchange ideas and do some brain storming, you never know there could be a whole new style of rod, just waiting for 3 or 4 heads banging together to come up with...

For sure as we all have different backgrounds and do the same kind of work with different tools and techniques... there are probably limitless possibilities that our combined knowledge and experiences could unearth.

Alpster- do you or have you use the nickel winding checks?  I ordered one to "see if I like it" for the 2 wt.  I had to shape the end of the grip down a little... the full wells look on a 2 wt is comical.  So I tapered the front ring down some and may use the nickel check to pull the eye away from the size differential in the grip to the .250" blank coming out of it.  ...lol

I have used anodized aluminum and titanium carbide coated, but never nickle silver. However, if you measure carefully, and they fit perfectly, hard winding checks make  a rod look slick.  A trick a friend of mine showed me, was to buy them a little big and make a few thread wraps so they fit nice and snug. The thread centers them on the rod and works as a an underwrap to keep the winding check from damaging the rod and makes the hard WC fit perfectly. If it's a drastic change in diameter you can cone wrap it to make the transition. I can post a picture and tell you how I do it, but you have to practice on a pencil or broken blank.

I am in for the rod building show in NC. I too will save my extra pennies for some goodies.  ;D

Ronnie

Well guys I have tried for 3 years to make it to Charlotte, but I have found that February is when I get hit the hardest by reel service orders. Especially from the guys headed for Fork and I'm only a one man operation...  

David...

well,

i had been thinking about making the show, so, i guess, i Better Make Reservations!    or, we could all go to reelmech's house & help him repair reels & let  him show us how he builds rods!!!!!   ...of course, the customers who got the reels back that didn't work, wouldn't be too happy.  LOL

but, seriously, if i'm able i'm planning on going for at least a day or so.  it should really be a killer show w/LOTS of Goodies on display.  ...and, i hope, a lot of good "deals."

we'll just have to see how it goes.  ..but, at least, it'll give us something to plan for.  it'll really be cool

Well guys I have tried for 3 years to make it to Charlotte, but I have found that February is when I get hit the hardest by reel service orders. Especially from the guys headed for Fork and I'm only a one man operation...

David...

It's only a weekend... maybe you could work late a couple nights before so you are all caught up or a couple nights after returning to get caught up??? I bet Mrs. ReelMech would like a break from you by mid-February! ;D

How about we write a nice post to all the members in the "General forum" asking members to send reels to you in December and January instead... then you'll be able to get caught back up before the show! ...lol

Ok, ok... I won't twist your arm anymore, I understand what it's like to be busy... and it beats the heck out of the alternative!!

Just finished wrapping the 4 wt. I had major indecision on thread colors but settled on Gudebrod dark blue nylon with pewter metallic trims. I'm not going to use CP on this because the blank is an odd color blue and I want the thread to pick up more of the blank color. Finish will go on tomorrow night or over the weekend.

I'll either start wrapping the 2 wt tomorrow night or Sat. morning. I think I decided against a matching pair... I liked the test wrap of garnet with pewter (but that will need CP for sure) and thinking still about met. silver since the 2 wt has chrome guides... it was suggested to try metallic bronze with the garnet- any of you have that? I'm wondering if it will clash with the guide frames. I'm open to your opinions...

Hopefully I'll have pics over the weekend.

it was suggested to try metallic bronze with the garnet- any of you have that?

Flechero,

I have some metalic bronze, ounces of it (more than I will use in a lifetime) it came with a lot of threads I bought on e-bay. I can send you enough to do a couple of rods if you want to try it. PM me a mailing address and I'll drop it in the mail. I considder both black and silver guides/frames to be nuetral in color and don't consider them in thread color choice. Colored ring inserts would be the exception for me. JMHO

While we are waiting for your pics, I will show you guys the small progress I have made on the new flippin stick. I got the grips & reel seat glued up and taped on the guides for a static flex test. I hope to get the wrapping done over the weekend. This is my first spiral wrap. It's a simple spiral with a bumper guide.

So many rods and so little time...

Ronnie

Alpster,

Looks great so far! Is that the 904 IMX blank???? I have wanted that blank for a long time... the reason I never ordered it was that some places list it as a +T and some list it as one pc. I assumed (never called to check) it was +T and and mis marked on line... maybe I was wrong???

This is my first spiral wrap

Uh oh... as I warned kudzu about, your going to want to replace or redo all your other rods once you fish this way!  ...lol

Do me one favor when you static test it... pull a load to the fisherman's right (opposite your bumper) if you ever fish or fight fish to that side. If you follow the Tom K.'s rule to the letter you may have line contact. The reason is that the blank is stiffer behind the bumper. If you get contact, you can fix it by moving the bumper 1/2"-1" forward and it will "follow" the 1st 180 guide under a side load, keeping it from rubbing. If you used a BLAG for the 1st 180 guide, you may need a 5-10 degree downward rotation. Those 2 (often only one or the other) small minor corrections are all I have ever had to make to keep zero line contact.

I can send you enough to do a couple of rods if you want to try it. PM me a mailing address and I'll drop it in the mail.

I was hoping for an opinion on how it looks but if you have several spools and really don't mind... That is very generous and much appreciated... PM to follow.

-keith

Is that the 904 IMX blank????  I have wanted that blank for a long time... the reason I never ordered it was that some places list it as a +T and some list it as one pc.  I assumed (never called to check) it was +T and and mis marked on line...  maybe I was wrong???

Yes, it's the 904 IMX. I wondered about the extention handle too. I called and told em if I get two pieces you will get it returned. It is a one piece rod blank & I am pumped to get it built and to fish with it.  

Do me one favor when you static test it... pull a load to the fisherman's right (opposite your bumper) if you ever fish or fight fish to that side.  If you follow the Tom K.'s rule to the letter you may have line contact.  The reason is that the blank is stiffer behind the bumper.  If you get contact, you can fix it by moving the bumper 1/2"-1" forward and it will "follow" the 1st 180 guide under a side load, keeping it from rubbing.  If you used a BLAG for the 1st 180 guide, you may need a 5-10 degree downward rotation.  Those 2 (often only one or the other) small minor corrections are all I have ever had to make to keep zero line contact.

Thanks for the heads up, I will be sure to check and adjust it before I start wrapping.

...if you have several spools and really don't mind...

I sent you padded envelope with the metalic thread. I had to wind it onto card as it's on one of these large skein spools that holds about a pound. If you need more just yell, I have a ton of it. I also threw in a few spools of odd ball sizes and colors that I have way too much of. You can use them for practice or tying up the cat, or just being creative.

Cheers,

Ronnie

I also threw in a few spools of odd ball sizes and colors that I have way too much of. You can use them for practice or tying up the cat, or just being creative.

Your a good man!  Thank you!!  It won't go to waste... I have mostly basic colors for wraps and some trim but I don't have much variety and I'm thinking of trying some diamond wraps or chevrons and a selection of colors will help the cause.  ...lol  

I got the winding check (for the 2 wt) today, it actually not nickle but it is plated in the batson gunsmoke finish and matches the reel seat hardware. (and the reel, for that matter)  I had to make a slight alteration to the front of the grip's taper to fit it but a fine toothed gunsmithing file and 2 minutes worth of careful strokes got the job done.  I think it looks pretty good- especially since it was an afterthought.  ...lol

I may have to break down and order that 904 blank... I'll be interested to hear how it fishes.  I'm also interested to see if you think it's heavier than the typical Loomis 4 power.  (I was thinking that it is either like a 5 power or just heavier in the tip which it should be since it's a mod-fast)  Either way, I can't wait for a fishing report with it.

Thanks again,

Keith

Ok, the 4 wt. is sporting a fresh coat of threadmaster and is on the dryer!  I decided to put off a few things I was supposed to do this afternoon to get it going.  I hurried it but it's not too bad.  

Also the camera will be back tommorow so if all goes as planned, I'll have a pic or two in the afternoon.    

Off to catch up on the honey-do's....