bhorlings

Sweet. Do you just use the Testor's waterslide paper for the labels?

Did you paint the rod too? If so, what steps did you take for that?

I finally saw some soft water today! I can't wait!!! Baits look awesome too!

Right now I have wood paneling in my basement. I plan on painting it white while I am home for week after my wife has the baby. I concur with the lights. I have to put more in also. As far as ventilation goes... I just upgraded mine from 4" to 6" and put an inline fan in with two dampers. I also insulated the pipes. The inline fan has a light switch so I can control it also. I can definitely tell when I turn it on. Around the workstation I put some foam mats so that it is easier on the feet.

Here are some examples.

They look sweet but what's the benefit? I am sure there is a valid reason. I thought I read somewhere it was about the stress on the rod.

FYI to everyone... Dale Clemens just put out a new edition of his book. It is dated April of 2008 but is shipping from Barnes & Noble already. Mine should arrive on Wednesday.

Thanks for tips guys. I've seen the Diamondite marbling kit also. I am using syringes also. I think it just did not setup fully because of the solvent in the Testors paint. I was confused on pouring the solvent off. I thought you guys where doing it on the aluminum foil and I was wondering how the heck am I going to do that. I'll be finishing up the rod this afternoon. Thanks.

How is everyone separating the solvent from the pigment of the Testors paint? I am trying to finish my second split grip rod and the portion I used color on is tacky and sticky still after 30 hours but the portion I did not use the pigment on set up just fine. I think it would be fine if I just put another coat on it without pigment but I not sure. Should I try that or just strip it down? What's the best way to strip it down if that is the answer?

Where did you order the Threadmaster from?

It is a Gander Mountain Guide Series Tourney Special (I will look when I get home tonight). I think it is just a wrap on it though. It does look like carbon fiber. From about a foot about the reel sheet it looks just like a black.

Those look great. I really like the fade effect of the blue thread.

Good thing I don't have wacky username. I can see it now... Hi my name is.... (Insert Obscene Username)

Mine is going out at lunch!

Thanks guys... I can't wait to get to work on the next one. And to think... 1.5 years ago I picked up fishing... 4 months ago I started hand pouring baits... this week it's rod modification...

I did that last night but since I was hand turning it as it stiffened I did not turn it as much. Now it's hard and lumpy in a few areas. Any ideas on how to fix that?

Just got home and ran down to check the rod out. It was all set up! I am so excited. When I get finished with it completely I will post some more pics. I still have some painting and threading to do. Also, since I do not have a dryer yet there are few areas where it is lumpy from me adding some epoxy on. Any tips on smoothing that out? Should I just sand it down a little those areas and coat it again? Thanks to everyone for their tips and encouragement.

It was a lot harder this morning than when I went to bed so I hope it dries. I did add like three drops and did not separate out the pigment from the solvent. It was not that sticky just left by finger print mark when I touched it firmly. Any options for getting the sticky coat off? Could I just scrap it with a heat gun and a razor?

Ben, I'll be stopping by to say Hi. Not sure which day though. I will let you know.

Great idea. I just hope it is fully cured when I get home.

So I finished shaping my split grip last night and went to put the epoxy finish on it. I got an American Tackle kit that a local store had. I put 3ml of each together and mixed everything up for a few minutes. Then I let it set for a few minutes. Then I mixed some more for a few minutes. I added some Testors paint to it and mixed again. I then proceeded to coat my road. For the next two hours I turned the rod every 3 minutes. Then I turned it every 10 minutes. After that I gave it one last turn and went to bed (that was 1 AM this morning). When I woke up this morning I went to check the rod to see if it had cured. It was still tacky. I know probably put too thick of a coating on also (since it was my first time). My question is... Is it still tacky because I did not mixed everything properly, because it has not fully cured yet because it was too thick or some other reason? Second question is... how to get rid of the finger print mark now?

I saw the Tru-Tungsten weighted baits that Iaconelli was hyping. Same idea but a lot cheaper. Great thinking! Let us know how they work!

I will send some out this week.

Good job. They look good.

I just used the regular JB Weld and then used tape to keep it in place overnight.