Rod Building MARATHON

How often do you do last minute shopping for a rod for an impromptu fishing trip?  Well, in my case it is the same but instead of buying, I am building myself a rod for so-called last minute trip. 

I have a day to complete the rod for my trip , I have to take into consideration for the epoxy to cure and dry.

This light jigging rod will have only essential components and no fancy wrapping. The blank, guides and handle.

Started the project on Friday 16th September 2016 - 6.13pm

Setting up and epoxy the handle right up to wrapping the guides and some interference in between, I managed to get it around 1:00 in the morning.

Started the epoxy prep work right after that and then epoxy. I managed to complete the epoxy around 2:00 in the morning.

The epoxy set and cured in the morning

The simplest and comfortable reel seat  handle that I could find in my drawer.

Fuji KR concept guides.

Long handle for jigging rod

EVA butt cap.

This rod officially completed on the Saturday 17th September 2016, 10.00am in the morning.

The rod still have 18 hours for the epoxy to properly dried  and free from tackiness.

The last of LAMI EXCEL blank ( 8-20lb 7' ) Baitcasting Rod

I had 3 of these blanks for the past 2 years and this built is the last piece of the Lamiglas Excel blanks in stock.

LGC-XL844G 7'0" , 8-20lb Lure wt. 1/4- 5/8oz. 

Reel seat setting.

Fuji ACS custom painted gloss black and KDPS black hood.

Handle setup.

SEA-GUIDE Titanium SiC guides. This set of guides is less than 3 grams, all 11 pieces.

Black and metallic copper thread wrapping.

Spiral guide placement.. and the last guide is always off centered.

Overall twist and turn....

Lamiglas decal. 

Decal after epoxy.

This blank doesn't come with the blank detail decal. Guessed this is the best that I can do.

The rear end. ALPS butt cap.

After epoxy

Handle view.

Refurbishment the ROD OF STEEL

I must admit .. I tucked this at one corner for a year now , I guess.
Trying to look for the agate guides for replacement but could not find any.

The last resort would be putting up the steel guides as replacement. The cork handle have been fully replaced.

This is the rod of steel I was talking about.
The Heddon "Life-Pal" steel baitcasting rod was produced in the 30's era.

Refurbished rod with new guides and new cork grip to the handle.

I don't think the owner will use it.. :) but it's still a great piece antique for wall hung decoration.