The ultimate bamboo rod build

[Ronbo]

New Rod Build 7'6" 2 piece 2 tip 4 wt Dry fly action.
This rod will be based on a dickerson 7612 taper with some custom attributes !!
Stayed tuned and here's a teaser
The culm

The saga to Continue

 

[jlajoie]

I'll take it!
Can't wait for more pics, Ronbo!

 

[kindanewbie77]

That is an impressive amount of material that has to be removed by hand..........I would imagine that you have a fantastic set of sharpening stones? Can't wait to see the progress!

 

[Ronbo]

Splitting the culm is a whole science in itself, you must get profecient in this step to yield useable bamboo from a culm. first to file down the nodes.
Un filed node

Filed node

then the culm is continualy split into halves. This section is for tip strips

Till you have at least 24 strips for 2, two tip rods. each strip must be betwen 1/8 and 3/16 wide.
Here I managed to get 30 strips out of the Culm so I'm good to go.

from here I will prep and flatten the nodes and do my initial staightening with a hot air gun.
Then it's to the 60 Deg. angled beveler to make the non tapered rough blank. sorry for the delay in posting but I've been extremly busy.
The rod build is way infront of these post's so it will be coming along at lighting speed.
Wait till you see the finished product:thumb:

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Ronbo,

I hope you continue to walk us through this build as stories in books are not as good sometimes as a series of pix. I've seen a few of your finished 'boo rods and look forward to seeing you build this beauty!

Say hello at the Somerset FF show next weekend.

 

[Ronbo]

I'll stop by the booth, and I heard AK is buying everyone a round at the Bar.:thumb:

 

[dcabarle]

I'll stop by the booth, and I heard AK is buying everyone a round at the Bar.:thumb:

That's going to be a lonely beer... Me, You, AK... Anyone else?

Ohh... I'm not sure if I'm going yet.

 

[Ronbo]

While I'm roughing out the strips here's the wood and hardware to be used
for the realseat and trim. Nickle silver from Bellinger. Amboyna burl from my supplier in California. direct from Indoneshia.
Stay tuned and watch what happens with these materials it turns out nice. :thumb:

 

[Ronbo]

I ran the strips thru my beveler to get a non tapered 60 degree angle to the strips. Now I can set the final planing form to taper the strips to final dimentions. I made this Beveler 7 years ago it's been put thru some use. I can adjust the height and strip width with an adjustment to the feed channel. I am currently designing a new improved beveler with a power feed and dual cutting heads.

Machined the Realseat out of the block of amboyna burl shown in an earlier pic. It's not polished yet in this picture.

Made the cork grip on the lathe.
This build is really coming along.

Stay Tuned, the best is yet to come.

 

[JUSTYN]

Looks like its gonna be awesome?

 

[Ronbo]

Moving right along here's the blank,reel seat, and grip.
I cut some of the Amboyna burl into thin sheets for an Inlay on the butt section.OOOHHHH!!!!! Getting interesting huh!!! Stay tuned now.

 

[jamiep]

Amazing stuff ronbo you have hands of gold buddy . I'm always amazed at how bamboo culms can be transformed into somthing so beautiful.

You truly are an amazing artist

Jamie.

 

[Green Man]

Wow that reel seat is amazing. Ive never seen one like it. Great work. I cant wait to see the finished product.

~Gabe~

 

[jlajoie]

Beautiful work Ron! Nothing like watching the progression of rough materials in the hands of a true craftsman.

 

[Ronbo]

Thanks for the complements guy's
Here's the blank ferruled with the cork and real seat installed. I inserted the tapered Aboyna Burl inserts on the butt section.
Need to wrap the guides on and varnish and this rod will be complete.

 

[leadhead]

Just looks like a big #2 pencil to me. Just kidding! That really is a beauty. Functional artwork. Keep up the good work and post.

lh

 

[DoubleHaul]

Wow. The burl inlays are fantastic. Ronbo- dude- you have it bad. The entire cane rod thing just brings the sickness to a whole new level. I can hardly wait to see the wrap job. I did a rehab on an old cheap-o bamboo a couple of years ago and I love fishing with it. My next rod however involves a simple road trip to Greenfield, Mass. My final jar of quarters is almost full!

~DH

 

[Drossi]

Your killing me.....I gotta find a way to generate the extra cash for a custom rod....contract hits....hmmm......

Can't wait to see the end game. It looks great already. The reel seat and inlays are stud. Very nice work.

 

[Andy B]

I had the pleasure of seeing this rod yesterday and all I can say is wow. We have had a very long okay/Nasty/not bad thread on being called a master. After seeing and having the pleasure of feeling the entire rod when put together has made me say and will back up that Ronbo is a MASTER Bamboo Rod Builder. The work was incredible and I can see a lot of pleasure and pride went into building that rod. The rod was so impressive that I plan this fall to ask Ronbo to build me a Bamboo Wet Fly Fishing Rod. The pictures of the rod posted does not even do justice to this mans work. Truly a work of art.

Sincerely
Andy Brasko

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Having also had the pleasure to see this rod in person the other day, I can only say WOW! Amazing job, Ronbo. One of the best compliments you got was when AK Best was blown away by your craftsmanship. Very nice build, thanks for walking us through it. But we also want to see the extra little "swag" you tossed in to make this rod even more special.

 

[Ronbo]

Andy, Brian
Thanks so much for your gracias comments.
Andy, I look forward to building your rod this fall.
Besides seeing the smiling face of the new owner as he removed the rod from the rod bag. Ak Best's surprise appearence and his remarks on the beauty and quality workmanship of the rod were my hightlights of the day.
Here's some pics. of the finished rod.
Hope you like it.

 

[cingras53]

Absolutely stunning. I don't think I would dare carry that on to a stream. It belongs in:hubbahubba: the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Besides seeing the smiling face of the new owner as he removed the rod from the rod bag. Ak Best's surprise appearence and his remarks on the beauty and quality workmanship of the rod were my hightlights of the day.

Let's just say that it is/was the only time we'll ever see the owner of this new beauty ever speechless!

Great job again. And to its new owner, fish it often and catch many fish on those spring creeks

 

[Ronbo]

Let's just say that it is/was the only time we'll ever see the owner of this new beauty ever speechless!

The silence was deafening:rofl::rofl::rofl: