rod blanks
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1,745 Posts
Angler's Workshop has moved from Woodenville, WA recently, and I think changed ownership, but they're still in business. Batson has several series of blanks under different names. The Hook & Hackle Company (w--.hookhack.com),Madison River Fishing Company (w--.mrfc.com), J. Stockard Fly Fishing (JSFlyFishing.com), and Mudhole, among others, sell spey blanks, often with closeouts and discounts. On way or another, most brands of spey rods can be had as blanks.
Meiser, Beulah, and OPST two handers; Scott & Orvis single handers. Danielsson and Orvis Reels
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1,209 Posts
Anyone Built on a NextCast Smooth Operator Blank?
Thinking of getting one and having it built out by Charley Reading. I've got one of his custom finished single-handed rods and I love it.
Thinking of getting one and having it built out by Charley Reading. I've got one of his custom finished single-handed rods and I love it.
Personal opinion but I think Meiser has the best value on blanks. You can also by just a blank up to a ready to wrap rod, which would be great for an inexperienced builder. Bob's blanks are made to his specs by CTS but I think you can buy from Bob for less than you can buy a CTS blank and you get his help. In addition to the above mentioned blanks Gary Anderson and Burkheimer sell blanks.
Currently there are some Batson blanks on close out and they would be a great starter rod.
Currently there are some Batson blanks on close out and they would be a great starter rod.
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258 Posts
If you are not turning your own cork - Meiser's RTW kit is the best way to go. Bob's cork work is outstanding. Finding quality cork for the hobbyist is getting very expensive.
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390 Posts
Absolutely agree with this. I've been building my own single handers from scratch for 20 years. I also own 5 or 6 Meiser two handers. First two were built by him, the rest were RTW kits that I did wraps and finishes on. His cork work (and feather butt inlays) are second to none, so I always get RTW kits from him for new 2 handers these days and save myself the effort.
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11,025 Posts
Building a 2hander is no big deal (if you know the guide spacing EXCEPT ..
for the cork handle on a spey rod, now that IS a pain in the bottom if you don't have a lath to turn the material. Let an expert do that one for you; rest is actually pretty easy.
I use narrow belt sander to form handles. Put wood stick inside blank and drill to that so blank rotates. Mount other end to another wood stick.
Lathe is not easy to form handle because cork rings are pain to get centered when cluing them so lathing needs to be done very carefully. With belt sander handle becomes round and perfectly aligned with blank.
Esa
Lathe is not easy to form handle because cork rings are pain to get centered when cluing them so lathing needs to be done very carefully. With belt sander handle becomes round and perfectly aligned with blank.
Esa
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1,745 Posts
I've built several dozen rods, including spey rods, without access to a lathe. I ream out cork rings with a rattail file (first drilling the pilot hole larger saves time on spey rod butts); ditto burnt cork or wood inserts. I glue them in place with thirty minute Devcon epoxy, then I shape the handles starting with coarse wood file, then a finer file, then grades of sandpaper, ending with fine emory paper. I sit outdoors with the rod butt across my lap, filing five or six strokes, rotating the butt a bit, then repeating. By keeping an eye on the results, by wrapping sandpaper around a paperback book, and sometimes a round bottle, I can make complex tapers and curves. :smokin:
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7 Posts
I glue the cork rings together on a steel mandrel before I turn them on a lathe. I go slow and have had no problems. I saw the RTW kits so that's something to consider. Thanks for all the responses.
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136 Posts
meiser blanks
I've built two spey and one Switch rod using meiser blanks and in my opinion the best quality blanks I've ever used which is transformed into some of the best fishing rods I have, love em and the price is perfect for such quality material
I've built two spey and one Switch rod using meiser blanks and in my opinion the best quality blanks I've ever used which is transformed into some of the best fishing rods I have, love em and the price is perfect for such quality material
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Lots of good information so far. I turn my own grip using a drill press and 3/8 threaded (or 1/4 depending on the rod) rod. You can also do the same with a hand drill. Just create a tail stock using a piece of 2X4 with a 3/8" hole drilled in it. I use a combination of a couple different files and sand paper. First wrap the threaded rod (from Home Depot) with tefilon tape and then slide the rings one at a time onto the rod with Titebond 3 glue between the rings. Thread on a fender washer and a nut and tighten down. Once the glue is dry machine away on the drill press/hand drill setup described above. 10 - 15 minutes to turn one down.
Good cork is still available. I get mine from Portugal. Door to door in about 10 days. You can build a really nice grip with a combo of AAA and burl cork for about $1 an inch.
As for blanks. I am a big fan of Angler's Roost at the low end. Their new high module blanks a really nice and at $80 a real bargain. At the "higher" end it is hard to go wrong with Bob Meiser's stuff. Building one in the next couple of weeks for a friend.
Quinn
Good cork is still available. I get mine from Portugal. Door to door in about 10 days. You can build a really nice grip with a combo of AAA and burl cork for about $1 an inch.
As for blanks. I am a big fan of Angler's Roost at the low end. Their new high module blanks a really nice and at $80 a real bargain. At the "higher" end it is hard to go wrong with Bob Meiser's stuff. Building one in the next couple of weeks for a friend.
Quinn
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7 Posts
Is that one of Meiser's RTW kits? That is a gorgeous rod and grip.
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321 Posts
Just to lengthen the list of Meiser fans, I can heartily recommend his MKS and switch rods as great casting and fishing tools. My own cup of tea is Skagit casting. I have built a rod rod from scratch using his builders kit, done a Ready To Wrap rod where he does the grips and feather inlays, and purchased his custom rods. Each approach has worked well because of the enormous amount of help and support that Bob provides, regardless of which route you take to one of his rods. But, take my warning, once you have one Meiser you will soon have a second and probably more.
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136 Posts
I turn my own handles on a cheap bench top hobby wood lathe that I picked up for 150.00, I used amboyna burl, birch bark, cocobollo and cork rings. It's surprisingly easy to do and fun too. thats an MKS 13' 6/7 blank and its one of favorites for winter steelhead.
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7 Posts
Rick your grip work is fantastic. The MKS 13'6" 7/8 blank has caught my fancy. I gotta start saving!
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136 Posts
If you're like me you'll be wondering why didn't I do this sooner, I had Steve make me a line setup for the rod and also have a rage line that I use at times as wells. A pure joy to cast, talk with Bob and he can help you get a blank that fits your casting style just right. I intend to build one more probably a 11' 5/6 switch rod to round out the two handers for my area I like to fish,.
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