Here is a project I started today. A Nep-Tuna with an old Finor mounted to it.
The rod came to me naked with the exception of the top.
Today was spent cleaning the blank with DNA then a layout. First off the
strips of gold foil go down and then the underwrap. I was able to wrap a few
guides on today but hope to get the rest wrapped tomorrow.
Dave
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep1.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep2.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep3.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep4.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep5.jpg)
Ok thats by far the most interesting piece I've seen in a while; you have my undivided attention.
::)
:o
;D
Nice!
Holy Cow! That is an incredible set up. Top of the line in every facet. Do you know what kind of blank it is? Sheridan
Very cool!
What a great set up....looking forward to watching your build.....Bill
I was able to do a little wrapping in between my honey-do list today.
The rod is all wrapped and sitting on the drying bench waiting for finish.
The plan is to use Spar Varnish with a 25% Artist Turpentine as a thinner.
This should darken up the white thread and hopefully penetrate down to the blank.
I have a real problem of trying not to build up the finish too high.
I've spent too many years using Aftcote high build and I'm trying
hard to kick the habit. ;)
More later,
Dave
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep6.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep7.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep8.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep9.jpg)
Quote from: Swami805 on December 23, 2016, 02:34:26 AM
Holy Cow! That is an incredible set up. Top of the line in every facet. Do you know what kind of blank it is? Sheridan
I'm not sure if that is a nep-tuna blank or a silaflex. If 54bullseye sees this I'm sure he will let you know.
I'm just the bottle washer ;)
Dave
I'm thinking sila-flex. The old man had a few and that blank reminds me of them.
Ron
Quote from: Swami805 on December 23, 2016, 02:34:26 AM
Holy Cow! That is an incredible set up. Top of the line in every facet. Do you know what kind of blank it is? Sheridan
I believe it's a Silaflex blank. Most of the rods on the older Nep-Tunas were Silaflex from what I have seen but if there is any one out there that knows different please let me know. I have quite a few of the later Nep-Tuna rods that are kind of gold / yellow color and I have no idea who made them again if any one does please let me know !!! Also I have been looking for any info maybe catalogs, advertisements anything I can find on Nep-Tuna stuff !! When did they go in business? Earliest cradles they made and so on ?? Please tell me anything you might know. I have also asked this same question on ORCA but haven't found out much. A lot of you people on this site are from California where Nep-Tuna was made. Thanks ! John T.
Wish I could help with some info on that. I have a few silaflexs that look very similar and a few that don't look like it at all, hopefully someone will chime in.On a different tangent anyone interested in getting some silafex decals made? I'd be in for some. There's a few good images of the seahorse logo on google. Sheridan
John, I just completed a rebuild on what I believe to be a very early Nep-Tuna, I base this on the Penn 349, the cradle uses a friction lock and not anodized. The rod that was attached was built by Johnny Walker who made rods in the late 50's up to the early 70's.....my rebuild is stickied above...I too would like to hear and read any additional information....Bill
http://alantani.com/index.php?board=36.0
Quote from: TARFU on December 24, 2016, 12:33:46 AM
John, I just completed a rebuild on what I believe to be a very early Nep-Tuna, I base this on the Penn 349, the cradle uses a friction lock and not anodized. The rod that was attached was built by Johnny Walker who made rods in the late 50's up to the early 70's.....my rebuild is stickied above...I too would like to hear and read any additional information....Bill
http://alantani.com/index.php?board=36.0
Bill
I looked at your rebuild you did a great job that's a neat combo !! I have some of the friction fit ferrules on some early Nep-Tunas also not anodized. I would love to find some catalogs so I could date some of the different style cradles and rods Nep-Tuna offered. I am posting a few pics of a bigger 12/0 Nep-Tuna cradle with a 12/0 Penn Senator and a Silaflex rod. Notice the big nut in place of the usual knurled nut they use on smaller cradles. This is a friction fit ferrule and I think this rod might be a rod some builder made for this cradle I don't know if it's completely Nep-Tuna ?? I am guessing this to be an earlier Nep-Tuna cradle but again can't find info !!! I love the cradles that's my nitch !!!!
John T.
Beautiful setup, classic re-wrap colors, Very nice work! Thanks for sharing, .. Lou
Beautiful work brother....I really like the color combo and those roller guides really scream Old School....Bill
Here are a few more with the 1st coat of varnish on. Well actually a
couple guides have 2 coats because some jerk forgot to remove the
china marker layout dots. Going to take a couple of days before I get
around to putting another coat on.
Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and Peace on this Planet.
Dave
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep11.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep14.jpg)
(http://www.turnerscustomrods.com/nep15.jpg)
Finally finished up the Nep-Tuna. Had quite the battle with a conflict of interest between the decal
and the finish but finally won. This was white thread under wrap with spar varnish for a finish. Thought
it was cool the way the varnish discolored the white, sort of instant antiquing.
Dave
Very nice. I don't know how I missed this thread. Wow, that Finor looks great on the Nep-Tuna seat.
Turned out really nice.
Stunning :o A lot of talent sir.
Beautiful job Dave!
I agree Byan, that Finor looks great on the Nep-Tuna.
Sal
Very nice. Like your wrapper too! Sheridan
Thanks for the comments. It's a lot of fun working on this old stuff.
I sure wish they still made hardware like this again.
Dave
Here is a Neptuna built rig with a single speed 6/0 Fin-Nor reel. The rod is a Lamiglass blank built by Fin-Nor for big game fisherman Steve Zuckerman. Notice the excessive amount of guides. I have only seen Neptuna build a rod like this for Steve Zuckerman.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Neptuna%20Cradle%20Reels/Neptuna%206-O%20Fin-Nor%20Reel%20amp%20Neptuna%20Rod-Steve%20Zuckerman%20signed%20002%20-%20Copy%20972%20x%20396_zpszxgsu07x.jpg)
Notice the double stripper guides. Only Neptuna built for Steve Zuckerman.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Neptuna%20Cradle%20Reels/Neptuna%206-O%20Fin-Nor%20Reel%20amp%20Neptuna%20Rod-Steve%20Zuckerman%20signed%20004%20-%20Copy%20950%20x%20407_zpswpe1nhjf.jpg)
Neptuna marked the rod and reel to Steve Zuckerman.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Neptuna%20Cradle%20Reels/Neptuna%206-O%20Fin-Nor%20Reel%20amp%20Neptuna%20Rod-Steve%20Zuckerman%20signed%20007%20676%20x%20507_zpszgl9qiir.jpg)
He was a well known fisherman in the 1970's and 1980's.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Neptuna%20Cradle%20Reels/Steve%20Zuckerman%20in%20Australia--_zpsssvsyyvl.jpg)
Thanks for that, Mike. Been wondering about him for many years, mostly since he was responsible for the Fin-Nor Tri-Speed.
.
What is the advantage to the recessed reel seat?
QuoteInsert Quote
Thanks for that, Mike. Been wondering about him for many years, mostly since he was responsible for the Fin-Nor Tri-Speed.
Yes, I remember that Tri-Speed reel. Cannot remember where I read about it. Possible you mentioned it in the ORCA forums.
I believe Steve Zuckerman is no longer with us.
Mike,
The three speed is spoken about in the Kovalovsky book.
Ray
QuoteWhat is the advantage to the recessed reel seat?
The first advantage is strength. The reel frame is an integral part of the rod. Once the plates are screwed to the frame, the reel is 100% solid. There is no possible frame warping during high load use. Also, the height of the reel is dropped allowing the line to flow off the reel with no deflection toward the guides.
Basically, some fisherman like them and feel they are better. The biggest problem with them was the cost, especially Neptuna's. I was told that a Neptuna frame, sized for a Jigmaster, was $100 for the frame only and that is in the 1970's. After you add the cost of the reel and the custom fitting of a handle and rod tip, you could easily spend $300 for a Jigmaster sized rig and the big game rigs greatly increased more than that. I feel they were too expensive and that was the biggest factor in why they did not catch on. The cradle reel has a long history before Neptuna. Classic makers like Coxe, vom Hofe and Kovalovsky all made cradle reels as well as Ocean City. After Neptuna they disappeared.
I have two built for fishing, one with a Jigmaster the other with a Live Bait Caster and have fished with them for many years. I like them; but, they are becoming dated because of their bulkiness for use with modern lighter rods and braided lines. I will be retiring mine this year, unless I can find a small cradle for a Penn 180 or 146. I used to have a few of them; but, sold them. Now I cannot find one. I guess I should have kept at least one of the small ones. Same old story, you do not appreciate what you have until it is gone..................
QuoteMike,
The three speed is spoken about in the Kovalovsky book.
Ray
Thanks Ray, without you I would not remember much of anything...................
Here are a few pictures of a Fin-Nor Tri gear I have had around 10 years. They are pretty neat reels quite heavy as there is a lot of steel packed into them. You have to get used to shifting them there similar to the two speeds in that you press the little slide button that allows you to lift up on the handle then you rotate it and drop it into the next gear but possibly sounds easier than it is !! I think with a big Marlin or Tuna on it might have been quite a feat to make it shift smooth but I am sure with practice it would work smooth !!
About a month ago there was a neat Fin-Nor 2.5 size that had a two speed designed by Zuckerman that was a prototype that he owned !! I went after it but someone wanted it more than me !! Neat piece of reel history ! John Taylor
Here is the rod it is mounted on. I think rod is older than the reel but it's a pretty massive heavy set up ! The aluminum butt is solid so it's real heavy. Notice the nuts used on reel seat. Would be fun to give it a go !
John Taylor
Tycoon and Fin-Nor. You are at the Top of the World John!!
Stunning... :o
I love those fun-nor guides. They are world class guides.
QuoteNotice the nuts used on reel seat.
John, the nuts look like Fiber Lock Nuts, similar to the ones used on Aircraft. They are a friction lock nut, not a positive lock nut like one used with a Cotter Pin. Only the best used by Fin-Nor.
They are very rugged and I have seen same nuts on other Fin-Nor's and a few other big game rods. John