Been wanting one of these, but too cheap to buy a store bought version.
Hint : 8 RPM
(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q46/nm_longshot/misc/IMG_0633.jpg)
(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q46/nm_longshot/misc/IMG_0634.jpg)
Rock tumbler? :D
Winder for making fishing rods?
BBQ spit rotator
Well, Shooter, you fish, therefore, every once in awhile you need new line.
But that little contraption looks a bit odd to be something that loaded line......s-o-o-o-o, I'm guessin' it's a widget that unloads line
....or just a widget.
What do I win?
It looks like a rod turner for turning a fishing rod to ensure that the epoxy covering the wraps stays level while it cures/hardens.
Pretty smart bunch of folks on this forum! Either right on, or very astute guesses!
Yes, it is for both winding guides on a rod, and then for rotating while epoxy coating and drying.
Here is the final version. I'm ordering blanks tomorrow! Making a test rod as a gift for my brother, then a couple of gift rods for my niece and nephew. Then a nice 6wt 9' for me with Rainshadow blanks.
I'll eventually mount this to a piece of channel track so I can slide the brackets around. I want to do a proof of concept just clamping the brackets to my workbench first. I am not confident that my thread tensioning setup will work right.
(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q46/nm_longshot/misc/IMG_0636.jpg)
(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q46/nm_longshot/misc/IMG_0637.jpg)
Looks nice Shooter.
I hate to sound low tech but I just run the thread between the pages of a book to tension it.
That book idea is a good idea. Change the page to change tension!
I ordered a crapload of components for building a couple of rods. I got carried away and had to buy the cork inlay kit, just because it looked cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py9EtCEuCIM
I'm trying to figure out how I might be able to integrate some thing like a turquoise ring into the grip too. I might have to figure out how to cast some turquoise dust into resin.
Hmmmm......
I cheated a bit because I had a friend who got into it. He built me a custom rod (ultralight) which snapped the first time I used it and tried to land a 7lb northern pike on it. He was nice and spliced it back together and told me no more catching northerns on it. It snapped the next fish I had on it, a 4 lb smallmouth.
I wrote off the rod, and lost touch with Dave for about 6 years because of layoffs and such. Then somehow we ended up in the same building again. He says, "I've been searching for the right blank for you all this time. I just found it last week." By the end of the month I had my 6 1/2' custom ultralight rod. 10 years later, it is still my favorite rod, beating out my Fenwick and St Croix rods.
It takes a talent to build them, and even more to have the patience to really customize them. They will become a heirloom for sure.
Quote from: NM_Shooter on May 31, 2012, 05:39:40 PM
That book idea is a good idea. Change the page to change tension!
I ordered a crapload of components for building a couple of rods. I got carried away and had to buy the cork inlay kit, just because it looked cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py9EtCEuCIM
I'm trying to figure out how I might be able to integrate some thing like a turquoise ring into the grip too. I might have to figure out how to cast some turquoise dust into resin.
Hmmmm......
Check with some knife makers supply houses for the resin impregnated turquoise. I used it years ago to make a Nordic style knife. I think Brisa carries it.
Got the first grips "done" for now. I was amazed at how long it took 100 grit sandpaper to get these close. I would have liked to get a little more slender grip to these, but this test rod is for my brother. He has big hands, so it should be just fine.
Tomorrow I am going to mount these on the blank and mount the reel seat too.
(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q46/nm_longshot/misc/IMG_0648.jpg)
I'm learning a lot. Next rod is for my daughter.
Ok. This happens a lot to me. I got antsy and did a dry mount. I'll find the spine and glue this all tomorrow. Maybe.
(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q46/nm_longshot/misc/IMG_0649.jpg)
(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q46/nm_longshot/misc/IMG_0651.jpg)
Guide wrappings and trim pieces will be forest green with metallic gold trim bands.
Looks nice.
Looking really nice Shooter! I can't wait to see the pattern for your wraps.
Won't be anything too crazy... main overwrap will be forest green, then a metallic gold trim band and then a trim band again of forest green. I placed and wrapped the first guide last night, and had to re-do it about three times before I got it where I wanted it. My wrapping supports are lacking now that the grips are on.
The upside is that I think this rod is going to be very well balanced. It sure feels great now.
Getting close. I've learned a bunch and my next one will be cleaner.
I need to sign this thing, and I'll be ready to put the epoxy on. My home made jig has some pretty severe limitations. I may build one or two more rods and decide if this is something I want to do. If so, I am going to buy a winding fixture.
All in all, it turned out pretty well. I bought a cheap IM6 blank... 44M Modulus or so, and the blank is not perfectly linear. The tip deviates 1/8" or so. Maybe this is common, as this is the first time I've really paid attention to the minute details of any rod.
I may be too OCD to do this. Or maybe that is the trait you need to build a really nice rod. Too early to tell.
(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q46/nm_longshot/misc/rod1.jpg)