Just finished my first rod...

[Marlinmate]

Excellent first build. Abalone, epoxy ramp, not too shabby for first time. Keep it up. And keep posting

[clt_capt]

Thanks for the comments. I'm starting to get the hang of it. I've been practicing on gaffs - and thought the rod was worth a shot.

These gaffs have the first coat - just over the abalone...

[flamekeeper]

Nice work on the shell, great colors and a excellent job on the first rod .

[JerseyBrian]

clt_capt - what grit sand paper did you use to shape the EVA grip?

[clt_capt]

I started with 80 and finished up with 150. I actually used the foam sanding sponges - kept the heat from my hands - works well.

[JerseyBrian]

Originally Posted by clt_capt

I started with 80 and finished up with 150. I actually used the foam sanding sponges - kept the heat from my hands - works well.

thanks for the info. I'll have to look for them this weekend. Where did you get them?

[clt_capt]

Originally Posted by JerseyBrian

thanks for the info. I'll have to look for them this weekend. Where did you get them?

Home Depot or Lowe's - Any decent HW store will have them in the paint section...

[Finesse]

clt_capt
could you give some details on the gaff ?? maybe a pic of the business end and the handle ?
Blank you use, gaff hook etc etc ....

Never did a gaff build and was just going to buy an aftco fiberglass ... but yours look way way nicer

Thanks !!

[clt_capt]

Originally Posted by Finesse

clt_capt
could you give some details on the gaff ?? maybe a pic of the business end and the handle ?
Blank you use, gaff hook etc etc ....

I'm working on a writeup with pics, but its gonna take some time...

But the short story is;

Both SEEKER and Calstar offer gaff blanks, but they are way expensive. I've been using the Mudhole SPSWB8XXXH E-Glass Special. This is a stiff heavy all glass blank.
I've been cutting them down to 52" - That leaves a nearly perfect hole for 5/16" Stainless Steel round Bar for the hook.

For the hook, I've been making them myself out of 5/16" 316 Stainless and using a metal bender. The portion of the hook that will be inside the shaft gets notched so that there is something for the epoxy to grab hold of. I use West Systems, with some milled glass fibers mixed in.

The handle is wrapped with #60 Nylon Twine - Just like wrapping a rod. Once the wrap is complete, A coat of rod finish is applied - Don't skimp - you need to fill the gaps and bond the Nylon to the shaft.

Any butt wraps get applied and a coat of finish goes on that.

On the head end, I wrap #12 Nylon twine for about 6" to reinforce the shaft, then cover it with rod finish. You want to fill the gaps. Then I put any wraps I want over that and apply a second coat of finish.

Then I finish the whole gaff - excluding the handle - 2 -3 coats is good.

I finish off with a butt cap - I prefer an aftco Gimball butt, but you can use a rubber butt if you prefer.

[Finesse]

Excellent !!!

Thanks for the info ...

looking real quick for "gaff blanks" ... wow $60 for a 48" calstar E- glass "gaff blank"
I'll look for the other blank !!!

Thanks again