Bambooflyguy
Life of the Party
To each their own….I keep mine simple. But that’s just me and my .02
While I appreciate the skill in intricate wrapping. I appreciate simplicity (in all aspects of my life)Just received three small glass blanks for this Winters hobby projects. I've been wanting to learn some new thread techniques so I got some metallic braid to play around with. I realize that most fly rods are really done in a minimalist, conservative style unlike some of the "over the top" flash and bling found in custom gear rods. I admire their skill levels but wonder if your average fly fisherman would even think about having such designs on their rods. What do you all think?...
PS..These aren't very straight, just a mock-up..
View attachment 87575
Appropriate for a bass fly rod : )Just received three small glass blanks for this Winters hobby projects. I've been wanting to learn some new thread techniques so I got some metallic braid to play around with. I realize that most fly rods are really done in a minimalist, conservative style unlike some of the "over the top" flash and bling found in custom gear rods. I admire their skill levels but wonder if your average fly fisherman would even think about having such designs on their rods. What do you all think?...
PS..These aren't very straight, just a mock-up..
View attachment 87575
Those wraps have their place, like on a bass rod that is trying to simulate the wallpaper in a French whore house. On fly rods, understated eloquence is the general standard for class and quality.I admire their skill levels but wonder if your average fly fisherman would even think about having such designs on their rods. What do you all think?...
So what you’re saying is we can call it “the soap lake motif”?Those wraps have their place, like on a bass rod that is trying to simulate the wallpaper in a French whore house. On fly rods, understated eloquence is the general standard for class and quality.
This was one thing I definitely noticed…Varnish is much less expensive
Epoxy, but spar varnish awesome too! Depends on the rod and components to and the thread you use. I like to use silk thread on old bamboo rods.hey all, I’m starting to gather my materials for my first build and I have one question: do you prefer varnish or epoxy for your thread wraps (glass rod) and why? There’s so much info out there that it’s hard to sort through.
Thanks!
I built rods for a year in Redmond for a small company that is gone now. Would turn and glue handles in the AM and epoxy 25 to 30 rods a day in the PM.. others would usually wrap the rods, but I would help as nessecasy.. plus work on the website! Good times for the most part and I learned a ton!I've been using a sparce 1st coat. Seems I always have a thread end or fuzzy chunk sticking out, so it's one thin coat, razor cut the offensive lumps out and a beautiful finish coat. I found spreading the epoxy out on a tinfoil plate really helps eliminate the bubbles..
To her chagrin, I use my wife's hair dryer...I like the FlexCoat Lite stuff and even thin it a little with acetone for the first application. I do 2-3 coats max, eliminating chances of trapping dust. It’s still thin enough to penetrate thread and flow easily.
I also use a torch style lighter to help even out the epoxy. I’ve used a standard lighter before but you’ll trap soot in your finish from the flame. Safer alternative to an alcohol burner.
hey all, I’m starting to gather my materials for my first build and I have one question: do you prefer varnish or epoxy for your thread wraps (glass rod) and why? There’s so much info out there that it’s hard to sort through.
Thanks!