3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Reged: 03/18/02
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Loc: Lewiston, Id.
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About a year ago I decided it would be cool to get another hobby and put together some rods. My other hobbies and obligations got in the way and I put it off. Now, due to recent events and guests on my boat my interest is sparked again. I can just sell all my fly tying gear that I havent used in years to make room for the rod building stuff!
There is a TON of info available about everything from basic techniques to advanced weave design which I am sure will be useful. I am patient and can tie flies along with the best of 'em so I am sure with the right books/videos that I can get the technique figured out. The problem is I havent seen any good info on what essential equipment a cracka like me should purchase in order to get started. I dont want to blow a wad on cheesey crap that is useless and I dont want to start out with a lot of high dollar gear that I have no idea how to use. I think I will buy or make the wood type support thing--you know, the ones with felt covered V notches and the thread tensioners. Also, it seems like a good idea to get a motor at least for the finishing/curing process.
I have no idea what I need for threads, epoxies, finishes, tools etc...and to my knowledge there are no classes available around here to help get me started so I am asking you experts for some guidance.
If you were me, getting ready to start your very first rod what gear would you consider essential and where would you you buy it? Also, what would you avoid?
Thanks in advance--appreciate whatever you can add.
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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Mojo
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Ron,
You can start up very inexpensively. I bought a rod roller called a Sully's (?). It was cheap, basically a small electric motor with 2 stands to hold the rod. It is essential for spinning the rod when you put the epoxy finish on. I hold the rods in my hands when I wrap them. I use a stack of old college textbooks (finally found a use for 'em...never used 'em when I was in school) to tension the thread. You'll need some razor blades, a couple tubes of Flex-Coat rod wrap. I'm sure Karry will have a list of stuff you NEED and another (much longer) list of stuff that's nice to have. You'll also need some rat tailed files, and some 5 minute epoxy for fitting and attaching the reel-seat and handle. And lots of masking tape.
FYI, I've built a dozen or two fly-rods. One of these days I'll build some higher quality spinning and casting rods.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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Will fish for food
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Thick Tail
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I use decon 2 ton epoxy(wallmart sells it cheap) or Rodbond.
5min cures too fast and will not last as long. It will get brittle and reels seats might break free and spin.
WFFF
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Take A Kid Fishing It Will Be Good For Both Of You
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Loc: Lewiston, Id.
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Thanks Joe. Does your roller thing look like this?
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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Mojo
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Exactly except mine will do 2 rods at once. The problem with the single is that you need about 12' of open space to dry one rod. The double means you can break the rod down and then spin it.
Actually the epoxy I use is Devcon also.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
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TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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CastawayChris
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Got Beer?
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geeze, u guys are ghetto, we'll get ya hooked up Ron, u know it man!!
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TEAM GLO BUG WHORIN
Rattlesnake Prostaff
Vision Hooks n Tackle
Rainshadow Prostaffer
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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I know you will brotha. At this point I'm willing to look at everything from ghetto to 5th avenue though. I'm looking for ideas and opinions.
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Well I went ahead and bought this goofy looking rig cause it was priced right. Looks funny but I think it will work even if I end up doing some mods. My time is at a premium because of family and community commitments and by the time I tracked down decent oak and all the parts then cut, glued finished and assembled a hand roller I couldnt touch it for 50 bucks.
I also bought this cheesey looking dryer and a thread holder for cheap. Again, the motor is already mounted in a base and I can modify the chuck if needed. And if it turns out to be worthless at least I will have a spare motor.
Next up is an assortment of threads, epoxies, finishes,hand tools etc... HELP? Suggestions?
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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CastawayChris
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Got Beer?
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I'll call ya tomorrow ron and we'll get ya set up!!!
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TEAM GLO BUG WHORIN
Rattlesnake Prostaff
Vision Hooks n Tackle
Rainshadow Prostaffer
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Mojo
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That's a good start Ron. 
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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vangofishin
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silver
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That rod dryer will do just fine for now . and the wrapper looks goofey as hell but I'm sure it'll work for ya too . beyond materials like blanks handle kits guides ect.. all you really need now is some single edge razors , a couple spools of thread , two part epoxy with mixing cups and syringes (flexcoat is the best all around ), some files or reamers , a china marker will come in handy , LOTS of masking tape , an alcahol burner and some denatured alcahol to burn in the torch and for clean-up , LOTS of paper towels too . I started out by rewrapping a couple of my old rods first , my first new rod was scary and messy , but after that it gets easier and fun .
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Loc: Lewiston, Id.
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Thanks Vango. I have a shed full of old rods and was planning on practicing with some of them before I go messing with a blank. Where can ya get an alchohol burner? I dont know any meth cookers.  Also, whats a china marker?
thanks again for the input!
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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firedog
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dual red striper
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Looks like your on to a good start. Mudhole has a wide selection of supplies and materials. http://shop.mudhole.com/ China marker is like a greese pencil, white and used to mark guide locations, layout wraps etc.
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IAFF Local 43 
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BorntoFish
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Team Old Phart
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Looks like you're progressing well with this effort, but on another note....how's the leg doing?
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CCA Member
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Team Moose Drool
Team Old Phart
   
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Loc: Lewiston, Id.
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Right on...thanks. I tripped over mudhole several times while doing searches. Still waiting to hear from Castaway but he might be busy trying to figure out how to hack into his own myspace account!
Dean,as far as the leg goes...it is day 11 since I Southforked it and the dang thing still hasnt healed. The bruise has spread all the way down to my heel and into my foot. Doesnt hurt as much though, the swelling is down and I can walk like a man again so I do believe there is hope! Thanks for asking.
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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Mojo
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Ron, on a positive note, gangrene hasn't set in yet... 
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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Alaskan
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ultimate predator
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you can get everything you need, including great service/advice from the gang at Anglers Workshop in woodland. Don't mess with those JACK@$$ from the East Coast.
It looks like you have a good start with the wrapper and dryer, get a copy of Tom Kirkmans book "Rodbuilding" It will show you everything you need to get started, has really good pics, and well explained.
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Loc: Lewiston, Id.
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Thanks. I am going to order a copy of Kirkmans book and a DVD tomorrow. I looked at the bookstores and tackle shops around here...nada letter in any of the about rod building.
Hey, if I get gangrene can I get out of work and go fishing?
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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Mojo
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My doctor once told me I should stay away from work and relax. I told him fishing relaxed me, and he said that was good enough for him. So I took Southfork sturgeon fishing. I made him reel in all the biog ones. Oh yeah, I was being seen for back problems...
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Loc: Lewiston, Id.
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Sounds like a good plan...go fishing and let someone else do all the work! I might have to try it.
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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Rainshadow
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dual red striper
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Anytime you guy's need info about rod building shoot me an email at work karry@batsonenterprises.com its a tuff job but somebody has to do it! Ron dont wait for Chris contact me. Also I set your handel on your new XST1143 and just waiting on Chris to do the rest just Incase someone was wondering its a GIFT.
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Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Loc: Lewiston, Id.
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I cant wait Karry! Thanks again bro. I bought a new reel for it already. (dont tell the wife though, its too close to Christmas to be spending that kind of scratch on non-kid gifts)
Chris, call in sick for the next couple days. I'm thinking some time at the wrapper would really do you some good.
About 8 years ago; and for no particular reason other than I was self employed and struggling to make it, a guy gave me a brand new, off the shelf lami with an Abu 6501 and an aluminum rod tube. I told him that was the best gift anyone ever gave me and I have never forgotten him or his generosity. This one takes the cake. 
 again!
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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3RivrFishr
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Jonsin' for Steel
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Loc: Lewiston, Id.
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My old friend Mark at The Traditional Sportsman hooked me up with some supplies, a video and a couple books.
I took my old (10years) lamiglass G1000 series casting rod apart yesterday. It had definately seen better days. The epoxy was hard and cracking, the finish was flaking off and a few of the guides were bent.
I left the grips, real seat and tip-top on it though and after a light sanding on the cork it looks and feels pretty good. I stripped all the guides and the hook keeper off then carefully got rid of all the finish. Made it all smooth and purdy again.
My first rap was the hook keeper using black thread and I put in a 3 wrap band of metallic gold that didnt turn out too bad but its not perfect so I will undo it and re-wrap as many times as necessary. I have two guides and the hook keeper on it so far and need to reposition one of the guides and re-do the trim band on the hook keeper. Oh well, the more I have to re-do mistakes the more I learn. I might throw a picture up later. I forgot to take a before shot.
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Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
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