Author: Salty Dawg - Bill Havens

Installing Butt Caps Gimbals Editor’s Note:  Read a little more about Salty Dawg Bill’s background and then enjoy his step by step demo of how to install gimbals and but caps (Installing Butt Caps Gimbals) on your fishing rods. My Step grandfather first taught me how to hand wrap rods in the late 60s, mostly bamboo rods on a notched cardboard box and a phone book for a thread tensioner. I would do my own repairs and build an occasional rod over the years. Went to work as a sign painter working for 2 different uncles who were master sign…

Here is a tutorial on painting your rod blanks for a custom rod build from Saltydawg’s Bill Havens. Painting Rod Blanks This is the method I use to paint rod blanks that create a professional looking and super durable finish. The technique is done with spray rattle cans. Materials You will need a can of white lacquer primer; I use the stuff you get at Pep Boys, brandname Dupli Color. Next you’ll need a can of paint in whatever color you want the blank to be. In this case I will be painting the blank white so all I will…

Cord grips installed with this technique are very durable and quite simple to install, I have used this technique for over 10 years and never had the cord unravel or come loose from the blank, but, in a case where the cord may become damaged, or need to be changed, it’s a very simple process as there is no glue or epoxy used to bond the cord to the blank. This method works equally well on thinner blanks that are built up with cork tape prior to applying the cord. Step 1 Put the but cap you intend to use…

This is my method for installing tip tops with hot glue on Salty Dawg Rods. I use this method for rods from ultra light class all the way up to heavy tuna sticks, the only times I use epoxy to glue on a top is for very large roller tops. Installing Tip Tops First you’ll want to lightly sand the area of the blank where the top will be placed, this roughs up the area and gives the glue some tooth to grab, this is very important Next, with your razor blade, shave off slivers of the glue stick and…

Salty Dawg Bill with Salty Dawg Custom Rods demonstrates how he lays out the fishing rod building eye guides and tests them when he is building a custom fishing rod. I first start with a couple sizes of surgical rubber hose that when cut into small bands will fit snug on the blank fishing rod you are building. Next, I place the guides in their approximate places on the blank. After all the guides are banded in their approximate places, I chuck the rod up in my lathe. It is a big plus to have a chuck with locks on 0,…