GLoomis IMX Refurbish - RT

Another old rod for refurbishment. It's a GLoomix 2 pc light action rod and it's made in Canada. Have not see any of this here..

I have the guides removed and replace them with some newer Fuji titanium sic guides.

But first, we need to do something about the soiled cork grip.  Sanding it down with  grit 800 sand paper under running water. 

Then dry in under the hot sun before coating it with cork seal.

Recycle Fuji SiC titanium guides from other broken rod.

Re-guide the rod and it's as good as new...

** Refurbishing and reguide **

fCJB "Prototype" with Titanium RSOL guides

A couple of months back we started sourcing for some jigging blanks for local waters as there are not many choices of blanks here. Not all the blanks available here are good for jigging.

We managed to make a deal with this factory in China where they produces blanks for some big players in the region. This reputable OEM factory does have a MOQ in order for them to run production for my blanks. 

After a few rounds of blanks sampling and testing, we have decided on the taper, raw material and rod finishing for the blanks.

We wanted to have slimmer blanks and thus, the blank wall have to be thick enough to take the loading and torturing of ripping shear force when the rod is loaded. 

Then came the so called prototype design of the rod. Simple trigger reel seat with cork grip.

Rear view of the rear cork grip.

Setting up of the handle. Noticed the EVA butt at the end? It will be changed to a rubberized butt later on for some reason.

The requirement of guides should robust, light and rust-free. 
We decided to load the rod with SG titanium RSOL guides. A compatible to Fuji Torzite and cheaper...

After assembling the handle, a coat of cork seal was applied to the cork grip.

Wrapping above the fore grip.

Hand scratch rod identity

Wrapping up the guides.

Double check before epoxy

Epoxy to guide wrappings

Cured for 24 hours before seeing the sun light...

Simple black thread wrapping over the guides

Rubberized butt fixed. The rubberized butt is much heavier the EVA butt and we needed the weight to counter balance the rod. 

Balancing act. Now that is why we need to have a heavier behind.

The overall completed rod weigh in at 199 grams, but it felt light in the hand and your arms will be less fatigue when using it. 

(2017 - 6 )

Jigging rod with Cork Handle

Just completed this yesterday.. Nothing fancy here but just the cork grips and fighting butt. Lightly rated at PE 1-2.5

Fuji T-DPS reel seat with blue aluminum trim and cork rear grip.
Setting up the handle.

The length of the butt end section with cork fighting butt.

Cork fore grip on KDPS quick lock.

Under wrapping before putting on the guides.

Fuji LC low rider guides in black frame. My bad.. I have to re-guide this rod.

It supposedly to be a spiral wrap but I did it straight

Removed and rewrapped to spiral guide placement.

Rod decal after 2 epoxy coating.

Rear view of the rear cork grip.. :)

Bottom half..

Overall view..

United Composite 5'6" 4-10lb midget

This is the 9th rod for 2016... It's already the beginning of the 2nd half of 2016 and I guess I am slightly behind target. :)

The blank used for this rod is from United Composite, it is 5'6" in length rated at 4-10 pound. Custom built to be a single hand casting rod with cork grip split handle.

I have never tried doing a split handle for single hand casting grip as it is only around 5" long but no harm trying.

Fuji skeleton trigger reel seat with aluminum insert and screw from Matagi.

Done with the little fighting butt and on with the rear grip.

MATAGI butt cap

Lathed rear cork grip

Fitting the handle

Fuji guide setting

Trying out the new Fuji titanium RV guide. It was said to have a faster and smoother line control when casting. It is very light and perfectly sized to work with any low profile bait casting reel.

After epoxy.

Guides layout

And for the fine touch... as usual I will apply the cork seal to the cork handle.

A photo showing before and after the Cork Seal was applied to the cork handle.
You will not see much difference aesthetically and it feels the same too, but it gives you better protection to the cork handle and prolong its' life span.

It took about 6 weeks to complete this, hope its' owner is happy about having his ideas turning into reality.