Project #3 Underway

[Eng 94]

Started the third rod the other day, it's a old custom rod that was built in 1977 and had seen it's better days. I striped all of the guides and tip top, there was some nice diamond wrap at the for grip that I left on also with the signature of the original builders name. I sanded the wrap areas with #340 wet/dry paper to remove the old lacquer finish from the guide areas,and as best I could I sanded lightly over the diamond wrap,wiped it down with denatured Alcohol and then coated it with two coats of thread sealer. I under wrapped the new guide areas and coated them with two coats of thread sealer as well.

Today I applied the first coat of epoxy and have it rotating on the dryer. Tomorrow I will install the new guides. So far I have been able to restore two older rods to like new condition,and one new rod for my wife. I have to say it feels good to look at what can be accomplished with a little time and patience. This is a fun winter project for those that have the time to put into it.

[IrishAyes]

Nice way to keep occupied on these cold, winter days. I definitely have the time for these type of projects but absolutely do not have the patience for them. 

[Hunter 2]

Sounds like a nice project.  I have a bunch of old rods from the 60's and 70's with wood butts and 3 to 4 eyes on them.  They were great but the newer ones have so much more feeling to them.  Eventually I will find a use for them. 
 Try to post some pics of your project Garlic Joe..

[Eng 94]

I try to post as many pictures as I can, I should have taken before pictures, but I never do Just don't think of it when I am getting started. I'm to busy trying to figure out what I have to do to try and match colors and what I'm going to do to keep the rod correct to it's period.

I like working on the older rods because it's satisfying to see them come back to life,and some of the older rods are as good as the new ones IMO. I have a few old Boat rods with the old wood handles that I have to restore in the future, they have lots of corrector.

For now I'm just getting rods in shape that I intend on using this season.

I have had lots of help from wreckfish and advice to make this a lot easier. Not to mention his new name for me (Garlic Joe)   

[Eng 94]

Well project #3 is almost complete. Finished restoring the cork grips and installing the guides yesterday,today I will most likely apply two coats of color guard to the wrap and seal the cork handle.Maybe take a few pictures.

[Eng 94]

Here are some pictures of the restored rod I took today. It's not finished yet,I still have to put the epoxy coating on the guides and install a new butt cap.

[IrishAyes]