rodtrader

I use them also. I use the 5 1/2 footer to make a small stream trout rod. I wouldn't put one in the hands of a customer who commissions a premium build however, most of the time they know exactly what brand blank they want anyways. BUT for low cost rods they can't be beat. matt

OK you got me. Bad wording on my part. My website address is in my link and my email address is available through my profile. I clearly own and operate a successful business and have experience in establishing such. I'm obviously more than just an anonymous screen name with no identifiable credentials. Although I clearly phrased it wrong I was suggesting that the young man should contact competent professional advice and reach out to those who are obviously in the business already, not just anonymous screen names on an internet forum. My apologies for not writing a more clear response.

The Federal Sport Fishing Excise Tax must be collected on any sale, whether it be an out of state or in-state sale. If you are manufacturing any piece of tackle used in the catching of game fish, or adding two or more components to an existing piece of tackle YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for this tax. You need a business license from your state and a Federal Tax ID. The IRS has been cracking down due to multiple complaints from manufacturers who do legally and rightly pay the tax. Believe me if you are making tackle and no paying the tax (and this is found out by other guys who do pay the tax) you will be turned in. Collecting the tax and filling out tax forms is not fun. Plus, if someone is not paying the tax that extra money goes to your bottom line, which it doesn't to someone paying the tax. The mantra soon becomes "If I have to pay the tax, then you are too". American Sportfishing Association This is why you need to contact a professional not take advice from anonymous guys on a website. Feel free to contact me if you need anymore information or have other questions. matt

Wow. That marbeling looks great. What blank? First rod for a customer huh? Don't forget to collect Uncle Sam his cut. matt

Brain, you don't have to strip t down. Just wipe it down with a clean cotton cloth and denatured alcohol to make sure you remove all the dust/lint particles. Let the alcohol dry off and re-apply another coat. I suggest, as noted, that you use syringes for proper measuring. Dude, Diamondite is just another thread finish. It's not anything specifically made for marbleing. You can marble with threadmaster, flex coat, LS Supreme ect... with equal results. It's the technique that matters not the epoxy. matt

Ryan, The thing with custom rods is that everyone has they're own thing. I tried lite and didn't like it as much as the regular so that's what I use. Other guys swear by the Lite. There is no right or wrong as long as it looks good in the end. Try a single coat and if it doesn't look right, do another. Applying thread epoxy is a technique that everyone has to work out on they're own. Just keep working at it until you get your own method. Good luck and post some pics. matt

You will be good with just about any quality guide, say SIC or Alconite. Fuji Alconites are the best value hands down. There is some debate about the effects of braid on the REC recoil guides, but I can't speak to it as I haven't had any experience with them other than selling a few sets. Hopefully, Matt Davis will jump in and expand. matt

smirkplug, keep an eye on the cork if you leave the plastic on. Moisture will get in there and start to discolor and rot the cork.

warm the bottles in warm tap water before you mix the resin and hardener together.

Huck, threadmaster is the only thread epoxy I use not so much for it's quality but for it's ease of use. It levels perfect everytime without any extra effort. Put it on and let it turn. It's dries clear as glass and perfectly level. I know that in theory every epoxy should level perfect since it's liquid but someone forgot to tell my flex coat that. Bye the way, those wraps look good. matt

Nothing really to add, Matt's go it covered. I agree that Alconites are the best value in guides.

Bucket, Rod blanks were made differently back then plus over time and use a blanks action will change. Your probably not going to be able to match that action exactly but find a good local builder and they should be able to get you pretty close. Theres no way to direct you on-line, your going to have to let the builder actually handle the rod. Good Luck matt

Use Soft-Scrub cleaner on a piece of fine scotch-brite pad. It will take the dirt and grim right off. After cleaning you can seal it with a cork sealer or leave it raw and clean again next year.

Ryan, as long as none of the threads are exposed there is no reason to add another coat, at least for technical reasons. I can understand wanting to add another coat if the wraps didn't turn out quite like you wanted, but if they are uneven, lumpy, or swollen on one side or another, adding another coat isn't going to correct the problem. It would be best to strip it and start over. However, if there is some other reason you want to add another coat, go ahead it won't hurt it and the weight is a non-issue. Just lightly scuff the current epoxy with fine grit sandpaper to ruff the surface. This will make the new finish bond better. As an aside I exclusively use Threadmaster on all my custom rods. Whether it is a superior finish is up to debate but it certainly is easier to use. (Yes, I think it's superior:yes:) Feel free to send me an email if you should have questions. matt

You can easily take a 9 or 10 foot fly rod blank and just build it into a spinning rod. I have never built a crappie rod before but I would think a 4 or 5 weight would be about right. You can also go with a float rod blank designed to build a steelhead float rod. Batson makes some great ones such as the IST1201, 10 feet long light power, mod-fast action with a 4-8 pound line rating. Lamiglas also makes several nice float blanks that would work. I'm not sure your going to find a 10 foot one piece blank without going the surf rod route and they would be way to heavy for crappies. Plus you have to consider shipping. Can you image the cost to ship a 11 foot tube????