New Rod Build

[mmarkey]

OK I did it. I bought one of the H&H 7 piece rod to build. I like the idea of a small package. Have NO IDEA how it will handle or fish. I bought it in 9' 5 weight.

I got one of the American Tackle grips with the Burl Rosewood on both ends and also American Tackle reel seat. Burl Rosewood with NickleSilver. What an incredible finish on the wood for both pieces. It is beautiful. H&H sent me the wrong size winding check. So I call this morning and he's priority mailing me a new one today No Charge. Great service.

I got the grey oxide guides. It's gonna be a nice rod.

[Ivan]

Sound like an interesting project. Keep us informed of your progress.

[Trout8myfly]

Progress, schmogress, we want pictures!
Sounds beautiful..,bet it fishes great.

[GonetoSeed]

I can't wait to see the finished rod. If you haven't already planned it, a nice practical touch is ferrule alignment marks. Lots of ways to do it, but inlayed small jungle **** feather, imo, look really cool.

[mmarkey]

GoneToSeed

You're reading my mind!! I have a couple of JC necks that I bought years ago with many very tiny nails. I was going to give feathers a try on this rod. I think it will look great with the fancy grip and seat.

[mmarkey]

OK guys it's finished and here it is.

It's a 7 piece 5 wt Forcast from H&H

http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery42951eda3442c.jpg

The seat and grip are American Tackle from H&H

http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery42951f52671be.jpg

This is a shot of the Alignment dots.

http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery42951f7cc3e2c.jpg

And of course the feather inlays. I was a little unsure with these my first attempt
but they came out well, Thanks for the advice from those that gave it.

http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery42951f17d5c79.jpg

This is how I identified the rod

http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery42951fb2adaea.jpg

Sorry about hosting these on RBF but I spent 2 hours last night trying to get thes images onto this site with no luck. I think we have a problem. But check out the pictures anyway.

[Windknot]

Very nice, Mike! The feathers look grand, and the grip & reelseat are terrific. I know you'll enjoy using that puppy!
Don

Oh, and Aaron is remedying the photo issues.

[GonetoSeed]

Ditto on the Wow! Really nice job! The attention to detail is obvious - the clarity and level finish over the feathers is especillay impressive. I like the color combos - simple and classy. The layout of the feathers is looks great. I see the JC, and looks like some grizzly, any others? Phesant?

btw, the pictures are great too. I've found taking pictures of rods difficult.

[Chuck Morris]

To sum it up. BEAUTIFUL!
Chuck

[Fish Gazer]

Real nice!! I have thought about trying it.... I feel like I would waste 2-3 rods to even get started.

Jeff

[GUTHOOKED]

VERY nice work, Mike! The feather inlay turned out great!

[Ivan]

Double Ditto's. That's a Beaut! Did you say this was your second Build?

Got to finish your soft hackles this weekend.

[mmarkey]

Ivan,
This is my 3rd rod build. My first attempt at feather inlays. The building is not a problem, the inlays are a little trickier but not discouraging. Like I said with my first rod build, (you can see that in my photos section) just be sure to take your time. Don't rush anything!

By the way I used a single coat of Hi build Flex Coat on the feathers. It seems if you DAB and not BRUSH you don't get (as many) bubbles. Flooding the area with flex coat and then looking for bubbles under a magnifying glass, any small bubbles quickly disappeared with the quick application of a gas flame from a lighter.

I used Hi build on most of the guides and only switched to lite when the rod diameter got very thin and high build seemed too thick.

That's the way I did it.

[vonchim]

Great looking rod. Have you cast it. Just wondering about the action of the 7 peice. I just finished a 4 peice about 2 mos ago and have gotten the bug also.
I am looking to build another soon.

[mmarkey]

vonchim
I've only played with it on the lawn. My impression is that it feels like a mid flex, med fast and a little heavy in the hand but I think that is normal being 7 pieces, But it casts very well. It has no problem laying out the 5 wt as well as my Orvis T3. Like I said it feels a little heavy and I don't think I'd like to use it on an extended fishing day, but for a convenient travel rod or something to keep in the car (which is why I built it) for unplanned fishing, it really fills the bill.

[vonchim]

Thats pretty much the way I would sum up the 9 ft. 5 wt. 4 peice I got. I put the hialoy guides on it and it casts and shoots well. It's just a little too limber for me. I got the forcast blank cause it didn't cost much and I didn't want to ruin an expensive one on my first try. It came out pretty good though. I really like the blank color. I just prefer a faster action than that one. Although it will make a good pack rod.

[Ivan]

I like your reasoning. Although it may be a little on the weighty side it will work for the purpose you made it.

Batson now shows the weight of the RX6 blanks on their site now.

In some cases not far from the Rx 7 and Rx 8.