Retirement Rod 2024
S 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.
Grip in clamp after glue-up.
EvanT123 reply :
I'm excited to watch this take shape. That sounds like a sweet blank.
ThatFishin'Guy reply :
That's awesome! Can't wait to see more
S 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!!
Same thing with boring the seat concentric. No problem on the lathe.
Getting ready to rough-in the grip.
Finished grip & reel seat.
FlipSide reply :
Wow, that looks amazing so far
Hi Salenity reply :
That's nice!!!
gramps50 reply :
This is so cool.........
mixb7 reply :
Very nice work!
Jrob78 reply :
Looking good!
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Nice inlay design. I haven't done a lot with block stock. I gotta get off the dime on that.
Dwight Hottle reply :
That is looking real sweet Scott.
Fish_Whisperer reply :
Good work!
einscodek reply :
Beauty so far..
papajoe222 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.
S 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.
buzzed bait reply :
that is awesome!!
J 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.
S Hovanec reply :
Grip & reel seat reamed and epoxy smeared.
Grip slid in place.
Reel seat and winding check installed.
EvanT123 reply :
Scott, if you don't mind what do you use for reamers?
S 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.
Jrob78 reply :
The Dream Reamers are a little pricey but they are worth every penny. I bought the set and use every size.
EvanT123 reply :
Thank you Scott.
Delaware 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.
S Hovanec reply :
I chuck them in my drill. They even make short work of those composite blocks.
S Hovanec reply :
The guides.
S Hovanec reply :
Hook keeper attached with vinyl bands.
Stripper guide.
All ready for thread!
I think I need to clean off my bench again. Having trouble finding tools when I need them.
fats69 reply :
That is VERY NICE!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see it finished!!!!!!!
S Hovanec reply :
Had lots of chores to do last week. I'll be wrapping it tonight. It needs delivered on Friday!
S Hovanec reply :
Wrapped!
Alonerankin2 reply :
Geez, you made short work of that rod!
Looks great, nice tutorial.
S Hovanec reply :
Eyes got tired tonight. I'll align the guides, wrap the trim bands and put the first coast of finish on tomorrow.
Delaware 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
S Hovanec reply :
Trim bands wrapped.
First coat of finish.
adam lancia reply :
Wow. Just wow. 
S Hovanec reply :
Jrob78 reply :
Nice, clean work.
S 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.
J Francho reply :
I bet that really bugged you. 
Dwight 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.
I wish that said handcrafted for Dwight Hottle !
EvanT123 reply :
Sweet looking rod !!
Alonerankin2 reply :
Yep^
S 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'.
Lucky 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!
Hogsticker reply :
That looks super swell. Good work, I dig it. I would have left the label off myself. Personal preference
Delaware 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.
S 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!
S Hovanec reply :
All finished.
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!
J Francho reply :
Nice work! Thanks for sharing the process.
Senko lover reply :
Love the cork.
Jmrichardson2011 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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