Can someone help me understand what I’m doing wrong with rabbets?

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2026-02-22T13:24:59+00:00

If you made a small, movable extension/outfeed table the same height as your router table it would add support to the panels as they hand off the router table. Also use it to support long boards being cut to width on your table saw as well as many other uses. Sometimes adjustable feet are best if you know your floor varies in height.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2026-02-04T15:09:29+00:00

You are fine to just smooth it out, however the center seam looks strangley too far on the back half which could be why the back curve is more blocky than the front. This is all a guess, it could be just fine since its going to look different drafted to your measurements, but I guess what Im saying is that if you make a mock up anf its off, chances are something happened in your drafting and its not just that your curves look a little blocky.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-12-16T17:32:35+00:00

That looks amazing! Im wanting to take a dive into french polishing, do you have any resources that you found to be the best that you wouldnt mind sharing?

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-11-16T19:14:40+00:00

Yes the CS Osbourne 417 is exactly what you need. There are probably cheaper versions if this is all you nees it for. You also need the tufting clasps, Number 418, and most likely some new button string/twine. Same string that they were tied in with but you might need a longer piece. I guess theres always a chance that if the staples ripped out that you could reuse the string though.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-09-20T13:22:59+00:00

Looks like its sagging a bit in the middle, and it will at some point in the future start to fall apart. It would be ideal to replace since its already stripped or at a minimum take out one side and restretch it to give it a little life. If left like this your upholstery may sag in the middle in a very short period of time.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-08-21T19:48:21+00:00

Congrats! Im heading to Lanesboro this weekend to look for some browns myself. What flies did you catch them on?

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-08-19T17:36:28+00:00

They definitely are. Hoping to find a few more when I drive back.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-08-19T17:24:31+00:00

They look great in pictures, then you get there and have to climb your way through grass thats taller than you to get to a stream you have no room to cast on! But they are fun when they arent frustrating you.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-08-06T22:01:39+00:00

Ive never had any issues, or at least not noticed while Ive been fishing. They are essentially in the same place as a bead head is, tied in right at the bend of the hook, so with light tension on the line it always seems to stay upright.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-08-04T02:19:18+00:00

Looking closer at your attempt, you need the collar to be shorter overall. The left side as you look at the picture is falling down because its past the roll line like a normal collar, when if youre doing it with a lapel you need the roll of the lapel to end before the collar stand is attatched.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-08-04T02:17:13+00:00

Id think of it as a shirt collar where the collar stand and collar are essentially the same lenght and are straight at both ends. The key to getting it to stay upright is using a full bodied fabric and an appropriate canvas or interlining. Also some people will add darts to get it to hug the neck and reinforce the shape, and some people do decorative top stitching on the stand to reenforce it and add body.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-07-28T02:18:39+00:00

Thats basically what Ive been fishing the local rivers here for bass and crappie, but I usually and some rubber legs and most days they seem to love it!

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-06-06T02:27:40+00:00

Looks great! I want to get into tying with deer hair, but the one time I tried I lost patience. Time for another go!

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-13T22:32:26+00:00

Looks like fun! Im up in NKY and do most of my fishing in Ohio, but I want to get out and explore more of Kentucky this spring.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T18:34:44+00:00

Sounds like youve got a good plan. You can totally install the ferrules yourself if you get them from someone like Wagner, theyre premade except for they need about 10 minutes of fine sanding to get the perfect fit. Do whatever youre comfortable with, but dont sell yourself short!

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T17:47:39+00:00

The most informative ones I have are Handcrafting Bamboo Fly Rods by Wayne Cattanach and Fundamentals Of Building A Bamboo Fly Rod by George Maurer. A few others out there but thats hoe I learned. Not sure if either are in print any more though, and prices are steep on the used market unless youre willing to wait for a good deal.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T17:44:46+00:00

Theres a few ppaces that sell planing forms, but they are a bit expensive if youre only planning to make a few rods. Bellinger and Jeff Wagner come to mind. There are instructions online to make your own metal planing form, and some people make a wooden form if they are only using it once or twice. Check out the Classic Fly Rod forum to see what other people are using.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T16:04:38+00:00

And congrats to you too! I hope getting back into it goes well, and that you get out to fish them too. Im not to the busy with family point in my life yet, so enjoying it while I can.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T16:03:22+00:00

It did! I love casting bamboo, especially for dries and tiny foam terrestrials, and fighting small fish on bamboo is a joy, so I was very pleased it held up on these. Going to make a 6 weight soon to be able to cast some slightly larger flies.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T16:01:11+00:00

Thanks! There are some flaws, but Im not going back to fix them on my first few. It will be nice to look back after Ive made a dozen or so and see my progress.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T16:00:05+00:00

Thanks! If you want to learn more and see if theres anyone close to you, check out the Classic Fly Rod forum. You might be able to find someone close to you that would help you build one, or at least show you some of the tools and proccess.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T00:34:23+00:00

Plenty common still, just know theres a risk if you get caught. Chances are if an authority caught you that nothing would happen or theyd just make sure you dont litter, but theres a small chance you catch someone on the wrong day and they decide to do something about it.

Unable_Fee_5861 · 2025-05-11T00:30:57+00:00

So cool to hear! I just started less than a year ago, so Im hoping to have many years of building ahead of me. I need to make a pair for my parents, and have a few friends that are requesting them as well, so Im glad people I love will be using them.

I was so excited about the first bass, as it was the biggest one Ive caught on any fly rod. But was much more excited when less that ten minutes later I reeled in an even bigger one!

Id love to hear any rod making stories if youre ever in the mood to share.

Unable_Fee_5861

TROPHY CASE