MAINE - Life in the Slow Lane
Not to hijack Dave's thread but....
I got the first dip done on the rod last night, so I'm hitting the home stretch. It won't be ready for fishing this week but it will at least look pretty. I figure another 4 coats ought to cover it so it may be fishable by next weekend.
Just wondering how the bamboo rods are coming? Would enjoy seeing photos.
Quote by: BeatonJust wondering how the bamboo rods are coming? Would enjoy seeing photos.
I have a bit of a problem with mine . The top section ferrules don't fit . Not even close and when I put them on the tips go to one side. So I have to send the them back and get new ones and hope that fixes it .
That's a drag. So the ferrules don't fit one to another or the top ferrule isn't fitting properly to the blank? Sounds like you are doing the right thing and staying patient rather than spending all that money and time on something that you might be unhappy with later on.
Quote by: BeatonThat's a drag. So the ferrules don't fit one to another or the top ferrule isn't fitting properly to the blank? Sounds like you are doing the right thing and staying patient rather than spending all that money and time on something that you might be unhappy with later on.
Its a combination of the two the fit is out of whack . Yes I agree. I want to take my time and get it right. Thinking my first build should have been a glass rod to start would have giving me more experience before moving on to a boo
The glass rod might have helped get used to the wrapping with the nylon before moving on to the silk but you would still be taking your first whack at the ferrule. I've found that applying the epoxy to the wraps to be the hardest part on the glass and graphite rods. At least to get the finish really nice. I wonder if the varnish will be more forgiving? In the end though, if you can get the thing pretty straight then I bet you'll be happy with how it fishes. My go to rod is a blank I wrapped when I was about 14. I look at it now and realize how messy my wraps were and the varnish is starting to delaminate a bit, but it's been close to 30 years and I can't ever recall thinking about what the rod looks like when I am actually fishing.
My shopmate today showed me an old tool a guy brought in this weekend and didn't know what it was. It's an old Thompson rod wrapping tool and looks like it might be pretty slick to use. We had never seen one.
Hi Dave, Did you get your rod finished off this summer? Now that the cold weather is here, I've starting thinking about new projects for the winter. Flies to tie but I'm still thinking of the bamboo rod.
Quote by: BeatonHi Dave, Did you get your rod finished off this summer? Now that the cold weather is here, I've starting thinking about new projects for the winter. Flies to tie but I'm still thinking of the bamboo rod.
No unfortunately I have been too busy to get the rod done hoping I will get at it again when the temps are too low to do anything else
Interesting that they use the Helmsmans. I use Epifanes on some of my furniture work. It's quite a bit more expensive than the Helmsmans, but I've had good luck with it. It's got a bit less color than the Helmsman also. I use the Epifanes brand thinner ( was told by others not to bother with naphtha or mineral spirits so have never tried them). I also cut it with some boiled linseed or tung oil which softens it a bit and makes it set up a little slower. It flows out beautifully, dries very well and is quite durable.