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Retirement Rod 2024


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

I was commissioned by a friend to build a retirement gift for one of our mutual friends.  I'll post pics as the build progresses.

 

Blank: St. Croix 5S610MLXF-B

Guides:  Polished SS Alconite

Hook Keep:  Kigan XLA

Reel Seat:  AmTak Aero

Grips:  Full composite burl cork rear.  No foregrip.

 

Boring the grip inlay.

IMG_20141018_140608_zps406as5lr.jpg

 

Grip in clamp after glue-up.

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fishing user avatarEvanT123 reply : 

I'm excited to watch this take shape. That sounds like a sweet blank.


fishing user avatarThatFishin'Guy reply : 

That's awesome! Can't wait to see more


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

Trimming the excess threads off the reel seat.  It used to be difficult to trim it with a Dremel and keep it square and clean.  Then

I had an epiphany!  Put it on the lathe and cut it with a parting tool.  Perfect every time!!

20141019_135525_zpsobszunuj.jpg

 

Same thing with boring the seat concentric.  No problem on the lathe.

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Getting ready to rough-in the grip.

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Finished grip & reel seat.

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fishing user avatarFlipSide reply : 

Wow, that looks amazing so far


fishing user avatarHi Salenity reply : 

That's nice!!!


fishing user avatargramps50 reply : 

This is so cool.........


fishing user avatarmixb7 reply : 

Very nice work!


fishing user avatarJrob78 reply : 

Looking good!


fishing user avatarDelaware Valley Tackle reply : 

Nice inlay design. I haven't done a lot with block stock. I gotta get off the dime on that.


fishing user avatarDwight Hottle reply : 

That is looking real sweet Scott.


fishing user avatarFish_Whisperer reply : 

Good work!


fishing user avatareinscodek reply : 

Beauty so far..


fishing user avatarpapajoe222 reply : 

Awesome work. You say it's going to be a retirement gift, are you doing anything special with the colors of your wraps or possibly a weave to give the finished rod a theme?  Definately keep us posted on it's progression.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

I don't do thread art. My thing is cork. The wraps will be teal with no CP trimmed in steel blue metallic. That color on the SCV blue/green flip just about disappears.


fishing user avatarbuzzed bait reply : 

that is awesome!!


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

Scott's cork work is the best. Just so cool to see it transform from square blocks and straight lines to the flowing art the handles become.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

Grip & reel seat reamed and epoxy smeared.

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Grip slid in place.

20141021_212143_zpsla2viwtr.jpg

 

Reel seat and winding check installed.

20141021_213316_zpsykmjmp22.jpg


fishing user avatarEvanT123 reply : 

Scott, if you don't mind what do you use for reamers?


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

I have a set of Batson Dream reamers.  Sometimes I'll use a rat tail file too.

 

My technique is as follows:  measure the smallest diameter of the blank where the grip will rest.  I then use drill bits to work up to that size.  I then use the Dream Reamers to get the back of the grip to size.  I think by gradually working through all of the drill sizes, it's easier to keep concentric.


fishing user avatarJrob78 reply : 

The Dream Reamers are a little pricey but they are worth every penny.  I bought the set and use every size.


fishing user avatarEvanT123 reply : 

Thank you Scott.


fishing user avatarDelaware Valley Tackle reply : 

The Dream Reamers are gold when it comes to fitting grips. I'll use either the handle or chuck them into a drill.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

I chuck them in my drill. They even make short work of those composite blocks.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

The guides.20141022_175101_zpsxvbdlzt2.jpg


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

Hook keeper attached with vinyl bands.

20141022_212749_zpsidsfovrx.jpg

 

Stripper guide.

20141022_212810_zpstcuc0p22.jpg

 

All ready for thread!

20141022_212834_zps0fpdolri.jpg

 

I think I need to clean off my bench again.  Having trouble finding tools when I need them.


fishing user avatarfats69 reply : 

That is VERY NICE!!!!!!!!   Can't wait to see it finished!!!!!!!  


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

Had lots of chores to do last week. I'll be wrapping it tonight. It needs delivered on Friday!


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

Wrapped!

IMG_20141027_221952_zpsujvyql5t.jpg

 

IMG_20141027_222034_zps2crgb565.jpg

 

IMG_20141027_222101_zpslycygtja.jpg


fishing user avatarAlonerankin2 reply : 

Geez, you made short work of that rod!

Looks great, nice tutorial.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

Eyes got tired tonight. I'll align the guides, wrap the trim bands and put the first coast of finish on tomorrow.


fishing user avatarDelaware Valley Tackle reply : 

That teal is the perfect color for a blend with that blank. I feel subtle designs like this are more elegant. Less is more in most cases IMO. Once in a while it's fun to go a little nuts with the bling though. lol 


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

Trim bands wrapped.

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First coat of finish.

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fishing user avataradam lancia reply : 

Wow. Just wow. :D


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

fishing user avatarJrob78 reply : 

Nice, clean work.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

Applied the decal and put the final coat of finish on tonight.  Walked away for about 10 minutes and it happened!  A gnat landed on the decal area.  Finish was about 40 minutes in, so it was getting thick.  I fished out the bug and it's wings and dripped some finish back on the bare spot.  Seems kinda OK, but I'll know better in the morning.  I may have to re-coat the decal area if the finish doesn't flow back in place.

 

Decal before applying finish over it.

20141029_174532_zpsjoochxgq.jpg

 

20141029_174604_zpsli27fdod.jpg

 


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

I bet that really bugged you. :P


fishing user avatarDwight Hottle reply : 
  On 10/30/2014 at 7:43 AM, S Hovanec said:

Applied the decal and put the final coat of finish on tonight.  Walked away for about 10 minutes and it happened!  A gnat landed on the decal area.  Finish was about 40 minutes in, so it was getting thick.  I fished out the bug and it's wings and dripped some finish back on the bare spot.  Seems kinda OK, but I'll know better in the morning.  I may have to re-coat the decal area if the finish doesn't flow back in place.

 

Decal before applying finish over it.

20141029_174532_zpsjoochxgq.jpg

 

20141029_174604_zpsli27fdod.jpg

 

 

 

I wish that said handcrafted for Dwight Hottle !


fishing user avatarEvanT123 reply : 

Sweet looking rod !!


fishing user avatarAlonerankin2 reply : 

Yep^


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 
  On 10/31/2014 at 1:34 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

I wish that said handcrafted for Dwight Hottle !

 

 

I think you'd like this rod.  It's my favorite action/power for dropshotting.  The one I'm going to build for myself (someday maybe) will be extended to 7'.


fishing user avatarLucky Craft Man reply : 

Scott has done quite a few rod projects for me (from modifications to full builds) and his work is just incredible (as you can see).   Very nice work! 


fishing user avatarHogsticker reply : 

That looks super swell. Good work, I dig it. I would have left the label off myself. Personal preference


fishing user avatarDelaware Valley Tackle reply : 
  On 10/31/2014 at 1:55 AM, S Hovanec said:

I think you'd like this rod.  It's my favorite action/power for dropshotting.  The one I'm going to build for myself (someday maybe) will be extended to 7'.

That's a top notch blank for sure. I find myself moving more and more from Med to ML power blanks for most of my personal spinning tackle.


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

The only medium spinning rod that I will have in my collection will be a 5s610mxf for tubes, as soon as I build it. I sold my 6'8" m/xf pink avid to a guy in my club and never replaced it. I do have a bunch of medium lights tho!


fishing user avatarS Hovanec reply : 

All finished.

20141031_175007_zpslptocgcm.jpg

20141031_174900_zpshifhlhmi.jpg

Thanks for allowing me to document this build on the forums. Stay tuned. I may do a little more in-depth photojournal when I have time to build mine!


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

Nice work! Thanks for sharing the process.


fishing user avatarSenko lover reply : 

Love the cork.


fishing user avatarJmrichardson2011 reply : 

Awesome rod. Can't wait to purchase a house so I have room to do this. Right now I have to stick with lures.

 

Never would have thought of the idea with the cork handle art. Amazing work.




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