Text of my full message to Rodmakers is below. In regard to extra length on each end, what are you all using? Tom's manual says 3" one each end and 2" more on the butt section for the hold down. I was a little thrown off by seeing dimensions further out on the tip ends and seeminly also on the butt ends on planing reports.
Thanks,
Rick
[Posted to Rodmakers:
I am working on a 6ft, 2pc, 2wt rod. My strips are straightened, rough planed and heat treated and I am at the step of staggering and cutting to length in preparation for taper planing on a Morgan Hand Mill. I'm using the 2x2x2 stagger method. Finished sections will be 36". I need to determine how much extra to leave on each end. I've reviewed the books I have (Gould, Cattanach, Howell, Maurer & Elser and Harms & Whittle) and see extra lengths as little as 1". The MHM manual says 3" on each end and 2" more on the butt end for the hold down. Distance from closest node to ferrules or tiptop as much as 5" away, but one 'avoid a node under a ferrule and 3" from a tiptop' (paraphased).
I have the strips organized in bundles of six and laid out with (green) tape indicating finished section and extra lengths and (white) tape indicating locations of the node stagger groups. I have a total of 58 strips and only "have to" make one rod, but I would like to get two rods from it all. I have the staggered/bundled strips organized into groups of three bundles each, to groups for tips and one for butts, which ostensibly allows for six extras in each group. There are four other spare strips that don't match well for one reason or another. Within the tip groups, I have matched the node spacing as best I can but the spacing between the two tip groups differs. I'm not concerned about matching spacing between bundles in the butt section group.
In one group of three bundles for one of the tips, the closest node on the butt end is 3" from the end. Same for one bundle in the butt section group. I have been unable to find a way to avoid being so close, due to the need for 5" on that end for mounting on the MHM anvil.
I'm going to try attaching a photo, but I've had things rejected for exceeding size limits. I'll post the photo separately if necessary.
My questions are:
1) what lengths are others using beyond finished lenghts,
2) what distance from the closest node to a ferrule and/or tiptop are you using, and
3) am I going to be okay with the one tip section that has two nodes as close as 3".
As a side note, I mentioned I only need to get one rod from all this, for my gunsmith, as trade for rebarreling one of my rifles. But, I WANT one for myself, which is why I really want to get two rods out of all this.
I am very interested to hear your comments, etc.
Rick]
