How do I put a inlay on a fly rod and my other question is how do I wright on a rod?http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/i...cons/icon5.gif
Thanks Lil Joe
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How do I put a inlay on a fly rod and my other question is how do I wright on a rod?http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/i...cons/icon5.gif
Thanks Lil Joe
If you look at past threads you will see instructions on inlaying feathers by kbproctor. As far as writing I am horrible at that. I use injet waterslide decal paper instead.
Here is a link to the article on feather inlays.
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/arti...vinproctor.php
Writing on a rod can be done with lots of different pens, but I prefer an old fashioned fine point nib with ink of an appropriate color. You can get ultra fine tipped paint pens at your local art supply store, too.
To make writing on the rod a bit more like writing on paper, get a wide board or piece of thick plywood and either cut a slot about 3/8" to 7/16" wide and not quite as deep. put the rod in the slot and write away. I have several slots for different sized rods. My writing still sucks, but this makes it a little easier and my results are a little better this way. At the very least, it is more comfortable.
If you go to the mudhole web site they have a tutorial on writing on rods. the guy makes it look so easy.
If you are looking for pen nibs let me know I've got a whole box of 50. $1.00 ea plus a few cents for mailing.
I have never attempted an inlay and haven't built a rod in several years but I would suggest you get a old piece of a rod with a slick finish or put a slick finish on a piece of dowel rod and practice on that before trying it on a rod you will use for several years. Personally, I don't like being reminded what a poor (in my mind) job I did on a rod everytime I pick up the rod.
I agree completely. I have gone back and reworked a couple of rods that I did not like how the writing looked. I tried writing everything when I started but now I use a decal for the logo and write only the rod specs. I put an inlay on the 'top' of the rod and do all of the writing on the 'bottom'.Quote:
Personally, I don't like being reminded what a poor (in my mind) job I did on a rod everytime I pick up the rod.
I dont know if it was L.A. Garcia, or Art Scheck that I got the tip from, but I print what I want on the rod on a laser printer (ink jet won't work) with white lettering on a black back ground (reversed in printing terms) I print several spaces before and after and several lines before and after. What I end up with is a black box about 2"x4" with 2 lines of writing in white. First line is the blank info such as (IM6 Graphite 8'6", 8wt.) etc and the second line is my name and year.
Trim the paper to fit around the rod slightly overlapping on the back side. Trim the width to extend about 3/8" past the longest row of lettering. Once it's trimmed to fit, use a black sharpie (permanent) and go over the edges (the white edge will show if you don't). When ready to apply, coat the back of the 'label' with rod varnish and place on rod. Adjust to desire location, (the varnish on the back will hold it fine), then apply a thin coat of varnish to the top side, and extend just over side edges and let dry. Don't rub too hard with paint brush or you will risk tearing the wet paper (learned that on the first one).
Once dried apply a second thin coat and let dry. The paper will be totally protected at this point. Then wrap trim bands of thread starting on the rod off the paper and wrap to then up over the paper edge (just like a guide foot). When you're done, you'll never see any edges, even the back edge will hard to find. Finish wraps as desired (epoxy etc.) and apply a final coat of finish on 'label'. I've done several this way and they look great. With a color laser you can print a background color to closely match about any blank color, and you can print the lettering colors to match the trim color if 2 color threads are used.
The hardest part is deciding on a font to use. My latest I did the printing in red on black since I used red trim bands on black main wraps. Will be posting pics of that rod soon.
There is certainly more than one way to skin this cat.
On another board I frequent, one builder overseas prints his graphics and/or lettering onto clear label material with an inkjet printer. He puts down a first layer of gold, silver, or whatever material which will show through the clear label. With a little vision and planning, he comes up with some of the most beautiful graphics on his rods you can imagine.
With Bass Bug's method, combined with the positioning I normally do, the seam could be further hidden with the feather inlay.
Lots and lots of ways to do this.
Kevin, After I sent that, I got to thinking of the "Inlay" part and thought just that, put a feather inlay over the seem. Don't know why I never thought of that before. Oh wait, maybe because I've never done an Inlay before! Doh!.
I will keep that in mind on next one.
I do two different ways that both work for me. If you want a a handwriting decal, this is what i do. I have clear decal paper that I write on a flat surface. First I calculate the size of decal (width= 3.14x circumfernce of rod where placed length= whatever you want). I draw out that size on backside od paper and cut out. I then handwrite on that in either white or gold ink. next apply and finish like all waterslide decals. Much easier to write on flat surface then round rod. i also use white injet waterslide paper (majority of time because it lets me do photos and lots of other effects). The key is the white waterslide paper. Inkjet on clear just won't show through unless you you do the colored thread (metallic works best) or paint (white) under where you are going to put the decal.