Just started to build a Diamondback Glass 8' #4. I' was going to build either my Steffen 8' #4/5 or Paddock 8'6" #7 next, but I've had this one laying around for about three years, so I decided to build it. With my shoulder coming along very slowly after surgery, I figured I wouldn't be able to handle the 7 weight for quite a while anyway.



It is a very different taper than my other recent #4, the Orvis SFG 764-3 -- larger diameter and stiffer in the tip, and much smaller diameter at the butt; in other words, a flatter taper. It's 6" longer than the SFG, too. The combination of taper and length make me expect it to be quite a bit slower. I hope to finish in time to take it to Idaho and the Yellowstone area next month. We'll see.

(Update) Didn't make it in time for the trip, but she's almost done. Varnish over the wraps has to set for another week, and I've yet to make the inscription. Here's progress:


Stripping guide is a 9mm TiCr from Golden Witch. Wraps look blue but are actually dark gray, Pro Wrap "Storm Cloud."


There's Pro Wrap "Evergreen" trim at the writing area and ferrules. It needs sunlight to stand out.


Trim shows slightly better here.


Ready for the reel seat.


Seat glued on. It's a Pac Bay DLT-3 downlocker with Bubinga insert. Cigar handle is from Custom Fly Rod Crafters.

Thanks for looking!

Ha! I just responded to your PM. Sorry I was slow, but I'm glad you pulled the trigger!

Thanks, skunked_ !

Those long, light two-handers should be fun!

Well said Tom. Less tools and more skill!

Use the same wrapper with the same issue. I no longer count on the spool of thread spinning/letting out more thread as I wrap anymore. Just doesn't work they way it should. I like the setup, though, so I wrap and then let out more thread manually by spinning the spool myself, then wrap, then spin. Not ideal, but it works.

Thanks, Archfly! I was just thinking about the thick-rod application, having exchanged some PMs with skunked_ on the subject. I actually wrapped my last rod (the Diamondback above) with the rod-tip tensioner bypassed. I traded away the ability to reverse a wrap in order to reduce tension induced by the guides.

I have an older model without the guides in front of the spool holders. That feature is an afterthought, to address an issue of thread unspooling onto the spindles, but introduces yet more friction to the system.

I'll reconfigure as you suggest and let you know how it goes.

A couple re-wraps and a removable rear grip for another forum member - really cool to be asked to do these! The SA was missing a guide, and both had wraps showing their age.

7ft Featherlight rewrap



SA System 7 still in progress. Trying to keep the wraps as close to the original as I can, and the removeable rear grip was a fun challenge.

I picked up from Archfly a 7'3" PLG blank. The blank is a reddish brown that reminds me of the Phillipson Royal rods. I like the feel of this one and think it will make a nice 4 weight. I have a bronze sliding ring and pocketed butt cap reel seat that I will use over a cork insert -- undecided on thread color yet but leaning toward the golden yellow orange family.

And I am awaiting the return of a 7'6" Cortland Pro Crest. This is a funny story. Couple weeks ago, in my haste to ship, I grabbed and packed this rod instead of the 7' Pro Crest. I immediately contacted the buyer to arrange return shipment. This one will be a strip and refurb -- always fun!

After that, a Heddon #14, 8'6" with 2" ferrules, three piece bamboo. Another strip job to clean up the blank, and cork grip, and rewrap guides, and remove and remount a loose reel seat. this one will become a fisher for me.

this should take me through the winter!

Quiet around here these days.

I've got a Proof blank on my bench, it's been stripped and repainted, waiting for the spar on the blank to cure before starting to fit components.

I've been doing some experimenting with Threadmaster One finish. When I first tried it I was not a fan - the finish was thick, wouldn't release bubbles, would not self-level, and when a coat was to thick it would remain cloudy. I tried heating the finish a bit to reduce the viscosity, but I still found it hard to work with, once it contacted the blank and cooled down it would thicken and cause issues. I am currently trying it while thinned with alcohol, and it seems to be working. Thins out nicely so it self-levels and any bubbles can escape; dries hard, flat, clear, and thin; and as a bonus does not seem to need color preserver. I'm still playing with the amount of alcohol needed but it doesn't take much.

I just finished the Featherlight and System 7 restoration attempts I mentioned above - I’ll let the owner (another FFR member) post about them if he wants, but I’m pretty happy with how they came out.

Next up is a pair of glass switches: a Seele 10’8” 8wt for my neighbor (a blank he found on eBay last spring) and a black James Green 10ft 5wt Trophy Trout scored from Marty R’s recent stock sale. Never built on a black blank before, so anybthread color suggestions are welcome. Especially I can’t search for old photobucket pics anymore!

Well, well...glad to see this thread resurface. i always enjoy seeing and learning what others are up to. tom s. i like that you like experimenting keep us posted on your threadmaster adventures. are you using DNA as thinner? i know nothing about epoxy finish. i thought most guys used acetone as thinner...

tomah, i have a spool of gudebrod purple too! could never bring myself to use it but you know i think it will look nice over black.

i gotta,get some pics of the PLG blank i'm working on. right.now i am working on the reel seat insert. my first 50-50 seat-- it's half cork & half blond maple. we'll see how she turns out soon enough, as my baseball umpiring schedule is winding down, i'll have more tinker time and time to get out fishing. next week headed out for trout not sure where yet.... have licenses in ny, ct, vt...and then to RI for stripers!

cheers all.

Hi Roy,
agree, the 73 plg will make a terrific #4. bet your chocolate silk plg is pretty. here is a pic of the seat insert i am working. shot of finished insert and hardware coming.


what's on your bench?