For some odd reason I feel the need to offer $50.00 for this rod and try cleaning it up to use. I've never done a rod repair in my life, but my working career has been Navy diesel mechanic, machinist, and industrial maintenance mechanic so I'm tempted. I'll gladly listen to any level headed recommendations as to giving it a shot or passing and saving my money. The thing just looks like it's in need of salvation though and I'm a sucker for underdogs. :-\
http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-vintage-trolling-rod-custom-wound-aftco-varmac-/112047532570?hash=item1a168daa1a:g:QjQAAOSweWVXerLx
I don't know what kind of blank that is, but it's quite salvageable. I've built more than a few rods myself. You're in the right place to get information. There are lots of YouTube videos that can show you the technique. Buy it and send it to me; it looks like a fun project. If I wasn't up to my ears in projects I'd take it on myself. If I set my mind to it I could probably get it into tip-top shape in two days, and a lot of that time would be waiting for epoxy to dry. I'm not exactly stopping you, am I? Glad to help if you need advice.
Sid
Since you work with your hands it'll be quite straightforward not sure if that blank is worth $50 though.
Quote from: 49Freak on July 25, 2016, 03:13:56 AM
For some odd reason I feel the need to offer $50.00 for this rod and try cleaning it up to use. I've never done a rod repair in my life, but my working career has been Navy diesel mechanic, machinist, and industrial maintenance mechanic so I'm tempted. I'll gladly listen to any level headed recommendations as to giving it a shot or passing and saving my money. The thing just looks like it's in need of salvation though and I'm a sucker for underdogs. :-\
http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-vintage-trolling-rod-custom-wound-aftco-varmac-/112047532570?hash=item1a168daa1a:g:QjQAAOSweWVXerLx
Hello,
That rod does look salvageable, but you might want to verify that the top section is still able to be removed from the butt. Those two-piece Varmac seats were notorious for corroding in place, making a full-on resto quite the chore--even for a professional.
Rather than spend $50 on an eBay rod, have you considered checking out your local Goodwill, pawn shops, and thrift-type stores? Often they will have a "bargain bin" full of old fishing rods in need of repair; rods that can be had for not much coin. These would make great projects for someone just starting out. Just my 2 pennies.
chad
Former millwright/powerhouse mechanic here, go for it.
I wouldn't spend $25 on that rod. Salvageable but way over priced. I usually find those for free or a little more. I have rebuilt some like that but never paid anything like that much.
Quote from: day0ne on July 25, 2016, 06:00:40 AM
I wouldn't spend $25 on that rod. Salvageable but way over priced. I usually find those for free or a little more. I have rebuilt some like that but never paid anything like that much.
Agree with this one. If you actually want to use it you may find it's a lot of work to produce something that maybe has sentimental value but not very effective fishing tool.
I have at least two old rods you may have for free, just come fetch them ;D ;D ;D (I may want to keep the guides)
I've seen that blank but can't place it. The color is a little too light for a Roddy. Guides will clean up and work fine. You can probably buy parts for those but I doubt you need them. The reel seat ferrule may be frozen, but that may no matter either. Don't let penetrating oil get into the wood and stain it. The fore grip doesn't look like cork or foam and could be problematic. Maybe it's phenolic resin? My guess is 70's but not 60's. The price is trivial compared to the time you will invest in it.
-steve
The fore-grip looks like that early synthetic called Neo-Cork.
Tough stuff. Cleaning with mild soap (Dawn), followed by a light sanding will get them looking new.
Even if you get it for $50; he has $23 shipping on it; not worth more than $25 with the guides greened up. I do a lot of reclamations / resto's from yard sales / pawn shops and to reiterate above, the time you will have in it may not justify the final product even if free. Though you can do a full strip and get blank and butt looking pretty good, you will spend hours cleaning those guides and they will still not be up to snuff on your otherwise nice work. A replacement set of Aftco's will run you about $75, so you'd be in $150 on this rod plus shop materials.
That said, THIS WHOLE SITE WILL DUMP $200 IN A $40 JIGMASTER SO HAVE IT AND LET"S SEE BEFORE AND AFTER!!!!!!!! :)
John
Wow! A lot of good advice here and a couple good chuckles. I have checked Goodwill and a few others from time to time, but just haven't found anything, bad timing maybe. Anyway, I'm not flush with money and it may not be worth the shipping even if it was free, but I offered my $50.00 so we'll see what happens. Unfortunately I've spent a whole lot more on dumber things so this is pretty mild. :-[ Thank you to everyone for your advice! Not giving up on the thrift stores.
Dude, its feast or famine. I have a few pawns I keep an eye on; maybe nothing for months then there is a barrel of rods needing just a tip replaced for a $1 apiece....Penn Slammers and others....good luck, and keep us in the loop....frequently people have a spare "whatever" laying around they will send you.
Thorhammer
Not worth it imo
After looking at the rod I will have to agree that THIS rod is not worth the $. I picked up 2 matching IGFA 12# roller rods for the detachable butts (pre Uni Butt but similar) for less than $50.00 but they are too nice to take apart.
Keep looking for a better deal.
Quote from: thorhammer on July 25, 2016, 10:46:03 AM
He has $23 shipping on it. THIS WHOLE SITE WILL DUMP $200 IN A $40 JIGMASTER SO HAVE IT AND LET"S SEE BEFORE AND AFTER!!!!!!!! :)
It shows $17 shipping to my zip code...but $50 is still a big price for that rod. I love thorhammer's quote about the $40 Jigmaster...HA!! :D
Quote from: 49Freak on July 25, 2016, 01:35:43 PM
Thank you to everyone for your advice! Not giving up on the thrift stores.
Where I live, the county recycling centers are located in the same vicinity as our transfer stations. At some of these centers, there is a receiving area where people can drop off unwanted (household) items that are in otherwise good condition and/or need only minor repair. I've restored a few rods that were sourced from here. Perhaps your area has something similar--just a thought.
chad
Well the god that oversees fools and their money must have been on coffee break since the seller accepted my offer so I ponied up my $73.00. Since most of the comments seemed to point toward passing on this one I'd begun to hope they'd decline my offer, but oh well, it's mine now. Guess I'd better go find that $40.00 Jigmaster that Thorhammer mentioned to dump $200.00 into so I'll have a match. ;D Thanks again though to all who commented. This will be interesting.
This looks like a total resto. keep us in pics; Chad I know, myself and others have all done this and someone can probably answer about any question you may have. Again I think your decision is what to do about the guides, which may be determined by the value of the reel and your intended application. If it were me I'd probably redo butt and blank, and rewrap with straight Perfection or ring guides and tip to stay period correct, or possibly new roller stripper and tip with rings in between. with full roller replacement you'll be in north of $160 I think...
Those Aftco rollers are very hard material and are probably going to be OK. There could be some pitting on frames but they will be serviceable.
-steve
Quote from: 49Freak on July 26, 2016, 07:03:10 PM
Well the god that oversees fools and their money must have been on coffee break since the seller accepted my offer so I ponied up my $73.00. Since most of the comments seemed to point toward passing on this one I'd begun to hope they'd decline my offer, but oh well, it's mine now. Guess I'd better go find that $40.00 Jigmaster that Thorhammer mentioned to dump $200.00 into so I'll have a match. ;D Thanks again though to all who commented. This will be interesting.
being there a lot LOL
dont feel bad my friend, I felt the same way when I bidded for a bad shape 113h with Tiburon frame, I put my max bid and totally forgot about it until I won, daaaang, and I was thinking to cancel my bid but never did it, when I got the reel in my hands the frame was worst than in the pics :'( :'(
but with a lot of help from theses awesome guys (yep, you guys) I worked a bit on the frame and now Iam a happy camper
really happy on how the frame ended once rapaired and painted (thanks again Thorhammer), so, now just keep going, even if you dont fish that rod that much once repaired you will feel proud of your work
check my last project that I even though on left it on the basement to finish rotten out.
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=18124.0
Quote from: thorhammer on July 25, 2016, 10:46:03 AM
THIS WHOLE SITE WILL DUMP $200 IN A $40 JIGMASTER SO HAVE IT AND LET"S SEE BEFORE AND AFTER!!!!!!!! :)
John
JOhn, nothing compared to how much money you can put on a $60.00 Used 113H (USA made)
Quote from: steelfish on July 26, 2016, 08:04:56 PM
Quote from: 49Freak on July 26, 2016, 07:03:10 PM
Well the god that oversees fools and their money must have been on coffee break since the seller accepted my offer so I ponied up my $73.00. Since most of the comments seemed to point toward passing on this one I'd begun to hope they'd decline my offer, but oh well, it's mine now. Guess I'd better go find that $40.00 Jigmaster that Thorhammer mentioned to dump $200.00 into so I'll have a match. ;D Thanks again though to all who commented. This will be interesting.
being there a lot LOL
dont feel bad my friend, I felt the same way when I bidded for a bad shape 113h with Tiburon frame, I put my max bid and totally forgot about it until I won, daaaang, and I was thinking to cancel my bid but never did it, when I got the reel in my hands the frame was worst than in the pics :'( :'(
Tru dat Alex, tru dat....
but with a lot of help from theses awesome guys (yep, you guys) I worked a bit on the frame and now Iam a happy camper
really happy on how the frame ended once rapaired and painted (thanks again Thorhammer), so, now just keep going, even if you dont fish that rod that much once repaired you will feel proud of your work
check my last project that I even though on left it on the basement to finish rotten out.
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=18124.0
Quote from: thorhammer on July 25, 2016, 10:46:03 AM
THIS WHOLE SITE WILL DUMP $200 IN A $40 JIGMASTER SO HAVE IT AND LET"S SEE BEFORE AND AFTER!!!!!!!! :)
John
JOhn, nothing compared to how much money you can put on a $60.00 Used 113H (USA made)
Thanks to all for the positive comments! I'll have plenty of time as this is one of those "no deadline" type projects thankfully. My preference is to stay with as much of the original and "period correct" as possible, but how well it cleans up will be a variable there. At 61 I have a thing for a lot of made in the 60s and 70s stuff. Use will most likely be pier (I know, I know, not a pier rod) or small boat in Puget Sound. And I'll definitely post pics and have questions as I go.
Thanks again,
John
Somebody Stop Me, Please.
Stop!!! ;D
oops, I thought you were still deciding. Now, forget about what you've spent and make that baby your special rod. Show us some pics along the way. Good luck with the project!
Thanks Alto Mare, and yes, I'm committed, or maybe should be committed to an institution. ;D I don't think I would have attempted anything of this nature if I hadn't found this site and seen the excellent restorations of reels and rods along with all the sage advice though. Hopefully I won't bugger it up too badly. :o
You will do just fine. I tend to restore some things here and there as well, it is always well worth it to me.
Make it enjoyable.
Sal