Author Topic: Need help Rod builders??? (Read 1987 times)

Sikaman · « **on:** Dec 20, 2015, 01:16 PM »

Looking to build some ice rods
I am not finding many decent blanks for sale online?
Any info appreciated
Thank you

IM-POUNDING- R -U · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 01:23 PM »

Janns netcraft has 32" solid graphite blanks for 9.99. They are a great med action blank for the money.

rgfixit · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 01:36 PM »

You'll never know what blank you want till you hold some in your hand. They're not expensive if you don't succumb to the hype and buy a label. A lot of people like mudhole. I won't give them 25-30% or more for shipping. eBay has some great deals if you look for them.

Rg

Sikaman · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 01:47 PM »

Any where I can get a blank
Similar to
A walleye sweetheart ?
Or a powerPrecision?

SMCSullyMan · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 01:54 PM »

I agree with rgfixit, mudhole has good blanks but the it shipping and be very high.

rgfixit · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 03:17 PM »

Quote from: Sikaman on Dec 20, 2015, 01:47 PM

Any where I can get a blank
Similar to
A walleye sweetheart ?
Or a powerPrecision?

Names don't mean much to me. I don't buy rod made by others. What action are you looking for?

Rg

Sikaman · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 05:15 PM »

Looking for a solid carbon
With a fast action
UL and L

rgfixit · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 05:21 PM »

Length?

Rg

jglenney · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 06:05 PM »

I get all mine from sportsmens direct. Only order from mudhole if I can get free shipping

Sikaman · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 06:22 PM »

Well if I understand correctly
I can cut a blank down
But I'd like to Finnish up with a 24-26" rig

IM-POUNDING- R -U · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 06:42 PM »

Janns netcraft 24" solid graphite panfish blank 9.99$ great action.

RyanW · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 07:20 PM »

You should really check out sportmandirect, I've built 4 32" ice rods on there hwi extreme taper fiberglass blanks (5mm butt-1mm tip) and at 3.99 a piece it's a steal. They also have solid carbon blanks in the same line that look very promising. They also have another ice blank line, "ihs" I believe it's called. And none of there blanks come with a colored tip if that's something you are interested in. They sand down pretty good too.

I use sportsman direct for blanks and Mudhole for mostly everything else but mudholes shippingy can become pricey depending on your order total. The eva and preformed cork ice grips that Mudhole sells fit these blanks perfect with no reaming or tape arbors. I'm not sure what guides you are considering but on my 32" builds I used 5 guides, a #12 pacbay minima spinning guide, then a 5,4,3,3, pacbay or American tackle single foot fly guides, and I used my 30" tucr bullwhip as a guide spacing reference because I couldn't find ice rod spacing information to save my life. Another bit of advice I can share is to definitely invest in a rod dryer, it will make your life a lot easier, especially if you use prokote, and I built mine for under 20 bucks.

Sikaman · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 08:06 PM »

Sweet great info thanks
I have a hand wrapper and 9Rpm dryer

matzilla · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 08:39 PM »

http://sportsmensdirect.com/shop/blanks/hwi-solid-carbon-blanks/ ul for $10.99 is a sweet blank and even better when slightly sanded to perfect the action/power. I have one cut to 25" with, a pac bay minima spinning reel seat and TI guides - its a great setup

Sikaman · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 08:41 PM »

Do you need a power wrapper to sand them or can you just hand sand them

Kyle_J · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 08:43 PM »

You can use a cordless drill to sand a blank.

Sikaman · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 09:31 PM »

Really?
Is there a video showing this?
Do you put the blank in the chuck?

matzilla · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 10:00 PM »

yeah chuck the blank up and sand....might want to practice on a cheap fiberglass blank

Don't overheat the blank. I use an old vintage ShopCraft power drill

Sikaman · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 20, 2015, 11:29 PM »

What grit papers?

joetc · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 21, 2015, 12:53 PM »

I've done it with 100-500 grit and then finished up with some wet steel wool to smooth out and sanding marks. 100 will take down a blank very quickly so I'd start around 300 grit and adjust accordingly depending on how mush material you need to remove.

Also, DH sells his custom banks if you want a high quality blank that you don't have to do anything to.

Joe

waterfowlstocker · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 21, 2015, 06:21 PM »

I have built blanks from mudhole, jann's, and sportmens direct and Sportsmans direct is by far the best blanks out of all of them. Their carbon blanks are no different from DH, thorne Bros, or TUCR. A carbon blank is a carbon blank same goes for glass. Just depends on the butt Dia to tip dia measurements. Which alot of those companies mentioned(DH,TB, and TUCR) have fine tuned their rods to specific requirements.

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Author Topic: Need help Rod builders??? (Read 1987 times)

Kyle_J