My rod building days are long gone. But....I’m venturing into the world of hand made fishing floats. It seems a cross between fly tying and rod building. I built a lot of rods. Some sold, some gifted and a lot for myself. I’ve restored many bamboo and vintage glass rods. My fly tying bench sees a lot of activity spring and summer. In the cold dark days, I retreat to my basement wood shop. Marrying the two , I’ve built all the necessary fixturing to make, of all things, traditional bobbers. The hand operated latheThe slow motion dipping machineThe revolving drier.There’s a learning curve to finishing these little bobbers. I’m working on it. I really like the idea of feather inlays. So, I’ve dipped into my mountain of fly tying feathers to play with the concept.Here’s a practice piece.Time and many rejects may just yield a few pretty bobbers. Rg
Ok...ok....A rod building tip for you. Take your Dremel and grind the leading edge of the eye foot to a curved slope. It’ll make the transition from rod to foot a lot easier and smoother.Rg
Go buy a new Dremel tool! If mine died tomorrow it wouldn’t owe me a thing, and I’d buy one within hours. One of my favorite tools.Rg
Harbor freight...less than $20.....just sayin