Ed Carr

A little different back ground and #1 helper. Had to throw this in.

Metallic thunder bird and and soon to be finished first fly rod.

Billy, wanted to see handle for metal bird wrap here it is.

Gold, Bronze and Red Bronze This one very hard to wrap took me 13 hrs. Won't do another A thread in this color.

Done in A thread gold, bronze and red bronze.Can't capture the dazzle of this wrap on camera. It flashes at different angles.

Butt cap and handle trim fore grip rubberized cork gasket material.

Second try first was a bad dream.

Pretty good pic of how wrapper folds into cabinet.

Bench has lathe, threaded inserts for hobby vice. flush mount rod holder for static test. Spline finder mounted on side of cabinet. Cabinet has all the sanding stuff.

Have to have a tv while rod drys.What you don't see is my recliner where I can run whole shop from.

Some updated photos of shop

Easy handle for inexpensive rod.

Made these out of 1/2" gasket material.They flex almost like rubber and seem very strong.Just a test to see how it will work. Looks OK. Think stain will take to cork still.ED

Took new rod out striper fishing and caught this 30 lb 39" salmon. Sacramento river below Rio Vista. Best way to test a new rod 25 min. battle in fast current and deep water.

Gold and silver trim.

Two sealed bearings 3/4" bushing, 3/4"bolt 3 pieces of plastic. Cut black plastic on radial arm saw didn't sand much had to work on rod,used hole saw to drill for bearings used two washers between bearings tightened chuck to pack bearings together.Bolt is main shaft,taped bolt head for pulley.Pulley was turned on drill press. Wood working tools will do all but drill and tape bolt head. www.usplastic.com

streamlined thunder bird

Bad pic but it looks a lot better in person ant. silver body gold head and pearl beak. blank is dark brown and think when finnished border will be almost invisible.

Used masking tape to protect bank then used fine file to take finnish down to threads,false under wrap in center.Wrapped and finnished was so easy.I was amazed.I did work by turning on rod wraper.

I made to big of butt wrap needed to add another guide over butt wrap.Turned out great this site made it seem so easy. Thanks guys

Turned out pretty good. I can run drying motor while closed up.Need to add dust proof seal and heat source for winter drying.

After 3 months of no fishing to build shop it is starting to come along.

Old fiber glass mustard yellow fly rod changed to down rigger rod using three old rods. About 6" of tip was broken off.The guides around my parts make down rigger rods using same method. Work great.This rod not done yet watch for finnished rod. Pics..

Used three old rods to make one new. Mustard yellow fly rod,rear grip from salt water rod,and reel seat from spin rod. All rods were broken.Wanted to try color change of blank and use old parts of rods. Not done yet going to try marbilizing. Cost is only guides and finnish.