Spey rod #3

[Denwor54]

Started my next build and just finished the final plane an scalloping today. Shooting for a 13ft 7/8 and so far things are going well, parts are straight and flat which hopefully will end up with a good rod

 

[Mike Monsos]

That looks like a neat scalloping tool Dennis, can you expand on it a bit more?

 

[Tim Cottage]

Looks like you left plenty of wall thickness. Any idea what the weight loss is?

 

[Denwor54]

That looks like a neat scalloping tool Dennis, can you expand on it a bit more?

Mike I did a little digging on line and built the jig. I used a dremil tool with the worm drive. I used a track and sled system with two hold downs that are properly spaced to scallop two sections per each cut. There are minor adjustments for each section and you have make sure there is not to much pressure on the hold down as if a node is in the cut it can raise in the middle. I Jerry rigged a vacuum to pick up the dust which has worked out well. To adjust the height I use shims that vary from .010 to .060 and this allows me to fine tune the cut. I use double stick tape to stack the shims and place three sets on the base of the sled. At each scallop section I use a standard dremil to make a relief cut at the forward and aft end of each cut. This takes some prep work but it is worth it in the long run. Also it’s important to make sure the cutter is secured and does not move which I learned from my first try. I will take few pics if that helps of the items I am referring to.

 

[Denwor54]

Looks like you left plenty of wall thickness. Any idea what the weight loss is?

I haven’t made the comparison from before and after but it is substantial. Since I’m building a Spey rod I have tried to not go to thin on the wall. On my butt section I milled to .110 and the mid .090 and the tip to .070. At this point this get down to the end of the plith which is what I have been shooting for. My last two rods I didn’t remove this much so will see how it turns out. From what I have read trout rods have been around .070 to .050 on the walls that are recommended.

 

[Denwor54]

Here’s a few more pics of the jig and it’s nice to get the quick change adapter for the sanding drums.

 

[Mike Monsos]

Thanks Dennis, that helps me understand how your system works.

 

[Jmcj1984]

Great work looks very good

 

[Denwor54]

It’s been a productive last few days blank is assembled, glue scrapped and need to final sand and plane splices

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Looking good Dennis!

 

[Denwor54]

Rod complete just need to check what reel to balance and play with some lines to see what makes it shine

 

[Jmcj1984]

That looks great very nice green .i have a 12.5 7/8 bamboo and Steve Godshall made me a great line and a better price than most other lines ,he has made 6 different Spey lines for me he is great to work with you might want to contact him for line suggestions, I use a Hardy cascapedia 10/11 on mine and could be talked in to selling it as I have way to many reels and more coming

 

[Denwor54]

Thanks for the suggestions on the lines from Steve, back in the day I used to make and splice my own lines. They were very popular but when manufacturers went to mono core lines I quite making them. I have plenty of lines to see what line best fits the rod which I will do tomorrow. Hopefully there will be a finned friend to see how the rod fights a fish.

 

[Jmcj1984]

Sounds good you should have fun please report back on the rod action

 

[Denwor54]

First day with the rod out and I’m very pleased with the result, hit the grain window and line weight. The rod cast a Scandi long and short in the 510 grain weight. I landed a nice rainbow but no steelhead and tried 6 different lines that varied in length and weight. The rod was light and what is important to me is it tracked well.

 

[Jmcj1984]

Good work glad it all worked out