I was gifted two builds, one a kit and the other my choice of components, for Christmas. The kit will be built on a Forecast SP841 blank and the other on a white MHX843. The Forecast will be my Rod of choice for 1/4oz. tubes and crappie size cranks paired with a Daiwa Sol. The MHX will be a split grip worm/swim jig Rod.

I have the area of the split grip chevron wrapped and on the dryer, cork for both grips ready to go and will be peeping the guides later tonight.

Needless to say, I clouldnt wait to get started on them, or do a little crowing.

Post up some pics!!

Grip, reel seat. hook keeper and decals are finished. Guides will be wrappedwith the gun metal and gold trim, underwrapped in the blue.

Not the best pic.  Thread colors are metalic blue/gun metal and the split grip area is a chevron

What do you think of the white blanks?  The 843 is what I'm building Nicole's rod on but not in white.   Do you epoxy the underwrap before you set the guide?

What do you think of the white blanks? The 843 is what I'm building Nicole's rod on but not in white. Do you epoxy the underwrap before you set the guide?

I wouldn't do an guide under wrap on a fresh water rod. That's wasted weight.

Now on a heavy duty rod (50lb line and up) I would definitely do an under wrap.

What do you think of the white blanks?  The 843 is what I'm building Nicole's rod on but not in white.   Do you epoxy the underwrap before you set the guide?

I can't say one way or another concerning the white blank. My decision on the 843 was based on all the good reviews.

If you do an under wrap (I don't recommend it either), definitely epoxy it prior to wrapping the guides. I used FlexCoat Lite. Obviously I wasn't concerned with the added weight, I did it strictly to dress it up a little. Under wraps were originally done, I believe, to protect the blank. The use of different colors is strictly for visual reasons.

There are other techniques you can use to do thread inlays and trim wraps besides underwraps. On heavy boat rods where an underwrap may be appropriate finish on the underwrap makes the guide wraps pack a lot easier.

There are other techniques you can use to do thread inlays and trim wraps besides underwraps. On heavy boat rods where an underwrap may be appropriate finish on the underwrap makes the guide wraps pack a lot easier.

I do like the look when using trim bands and inlays, so much so that I used them also.

I was gifted two builds, one a kit and the other my choice of components, for Christmas. The kit will be built on a Forecast SP841 blank and the other on a white MHX843. The Forecast will be my Rod of choice for 1/4oz. tubes and crappie size cranks paired with a Daiwa Sol. The MHX will be a split grip worm/swim jig Rod.

I have the area of the split grip chevron wrapped and on the dryer, cork for both grips ready to go and will be peeping the guides later tonight.

Needless to say, I clouldnt wait to get started on them, or do a little crowing.

FYI.. we switched the name of the rod blank to RainShadow. So if you can't find a "forecast" rod blank you can find all of our rod blanks over here: www.rainshadowrodblanks.com

 

Btw, Excellent choice on rod blanks and kids! I think you'll really like how it performs! Also think about putting trim bands in your wraps. Some people do it every guide, some people do it on just the first guide. It give it a little more pop without having to do too much extra work. 

I ended up doing a single thread trim band on all the guides. A little extra work and time, but they really draw your eye to the thread work. Kind of like adding extra chrome you your car. What can I say, but I'm all about eye candy and not just when it comes to the ladies.

nice build!! 

Finished Rod #2 No butt wrap on this one. It's built as a casting rod on a Baston spinning blank. I'll be pairing it with a Daiwa Sol and using it for the majority of my tube fishing.

Finished Rod #2 No butt wrap on this one. It's built as a casting rod on a Baston spinning blank. I'll be pairing it with a Daiwa Sol and using it for the majority of my tube fishing.

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Nice!! Don't you mean RainShadow Spinning blank? What model and series did you build with?? Looks great!