Build #2

[FrogPond]

After Gooey's post about trim bands...my wraps got a whole lot better.
Thanks to all for the help!
The start...I managed to get epoxy all over the place. The cork, the reel seat threads, even the carpet (oops).
After just a bit of clean up (like 2 hrs worth!)
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/P6290142.jpg

Here is the way I was trying to do my trim bands...U G L Y !!!
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_2963.jpg

Here are the new trim bands (each side of the ferrel)
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_29751.jpg

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_2971.jpg

I am get better with my wraps the more I do. Not perfect, but just a bit cleaner. I guess I should build a rod more often than once every couple years...:D

The blank is a Rainshadow RX8 XF906-4
Guides are Alps Single foots except for 2 stripper guides
Reel Seat and cork are both from Batson
More as I progress...

[StickFish]

Nice improvement. On the epoxy try Rod bod, its a gell and doesn't run all over the place. The guide wrap has a couple fuzzies on it, use your bubble buster to melt the fuzzies closer to the wrap - but be careful not to get it too hot or the thread will let go

[FrogPond]

thanks!
What is a bubble buster?

[StickFish]

Alcohol burner - wave it under your epoxy to release bubbles from the finish. Can also help clean up fuzzies, just be careful.

[dixiefisher]

pretty good looking for a 2nd!!! I really like the colors on this build...what color is that blue?....and I would have to second the advice of being careful burning the "stick ups".....I was doing that on one of my last guide wraps...got a little too close...and the whole thing let go......

[FrogPond]

I am assuming an alcohol burner burns cleaner than just a regular bic lighter...?

I will check on the colors when I get home.

[dixiefisher]

The bic lighters tend to smoke up the finish....and burn hotter....

[Raymond Adams]

The bic lighters tend to smoke up the finish....and burn hotter....

I could be wrong but I beleive the alcohol flame is hotter than a cig lighter but it is much cleaner burning. If ya use a cig lighter just use the side of the flame where the flame is hottest & clean.

Well done FrogPond! Looks like ya got everything cleaned up good. Love the Batson hardware & cork. They really provide builders with some great stuff.

[FrogPond]

Dixiefisher-
The blue is A 246 Dark Blue.

My wife got me an early birthday present! A magnifying glass with a light on a retractable arm!:meme:Talk about getting down and dirty with the wraps! I just got it tonight and have already done and re-done 3 wraps...kind of weird getting used to the spacial difference of the magnifier.
My back needs a break...

[FrogPond]

The guide wraps are done...redone...and done again. Here are a couple shots post color preserver, pre-finish.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_2981.jpg

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_2983.jpg

Foreshadowing!
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_2985.jpg

I am currently working on the label and a couple small accent wraps near the cork.
If all goes right...looks like this rod might make the trip to Alaska in 9 days!

[FrogPond]

Just in the nick of time! T-minus 2 days till Alaska!

Not perfect, but better than #1.
Next build things to pay attention to:
line up trim band crossovers
work on a better way to do a decal...it works, but could be better
work on more even application of the wrap finish

The next build might be a spinning rod...

I have a G-Loomis reel for it, but it is gold and my parents bought me this silvery-blue Pflueger specifically for this build (blue and white), so on it went!
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/f26.jpg

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/f35.jpg

The label is just off my printer with some silver pen highlighting the lettering.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/f14.jpg

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/f62.jpg

I like the way the single bands turned out better than the doubles
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/f53.jpg

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/f44.jpg


Thank to everyone for the pointers! It casts well and I am excited to feel the tug of a trout. :meme:

[northriver1]

I will carry your new rod to Alaska for you.:D

[Hanapa'a Time]

Nice work Josh :applause:

The alignment/fine tuning will come in time. It does get better/easier with each build.

It would have helped if your components would have been here a month or two earlier :passout: Sorry about that :shrug:

Go slay some fish up North with that thing:smash:

Not sure about that Northriver1 character though :jester:

[dixiefisher]

FP,
nice job on the color choices and the cork!.....I think the label looks tight. You'll need to post some pics next to some fish.....good luck!

[FrogPond]

As promised...fish pics
Not the first fish on this rod, but the first one to get a picture of...
Troublesomething Creek (South of Denali a ways)
10" Grayling
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/P8050024.jpg

Montana Creek
Pink Salmon A good workout for this little rod...
I was targeting the rainbows feeding on the spawning Kings. Ooops!
I knew I should have put a fighting butt on this rod!
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/Montana6.jpg

[dixiefisher]

very good!!