Classic Hurricane Rebuild

[76Red18]

No, not a SeaCraft; not even an old boat but an old hurricane fishing rod from my youth.














Started out by striping off the old stainless wire guides, ugly faded red grips and reel seat. Then scraped of the clear coat with a razor. I chose cork grips and fuji seat and guides.



Next, the installation of the grips



Tape to keep the epoxy off the components







Next, the red under wrap









Cigar bands



Handle wrap



Guides





Finished with 2 coats of clear



A classic fit a for a classic



Can't wait to get out and catch some more of these guys on my new old classic



See Ya!!

[Blue197320]

nice job
i wish i had the space to build more rods. u get alot of satisfactoin out of a custom. i never go on a fishing trip without mine.

[gofastsandman]

Nice Red,
Those `canes are tough. Nice action if memory serves. Tight work w/ the wraps too.
Where did you get the reduction motor set up?
How do you change the color of an old blank?

[76Red18]

Thanks Sandy.. That particular one has almost a "noodle" action, great for small live bait or 1/4 oz. jigs. My best fish on that one was a 120# tarpon. I rigged up an old sewing machine as the drive motor. As for changing blank color, I have no idea. There is paint sold at the tackle shop for pin striping. You would need something that stays flexible. Next time I'm there, I'll ask.

[Old'sCool]

Sweet!! Would you please post some more detailed pics of your rod lathe?? Thanks!

[76Red18]

Just an old $10 sewing machine from the flea market. Rod is secured to the plastic fitting on the end with tape.

[gofastsandman]

Red wraps? Red boat?
I see you can turn slowly enough to get a really nice finish.
Years ago I picked up a nice old Penn 50 on a Lott Bros. 80 class tuna stick. It`s brown and mustard . Made for "Tuna Ted" He must have been from Maine. Brown and mustard? I`d like to redo it to match my Chaos. Black and gold.

I bought it from Mr. Elkins at Outdoor Sportsworld. A wonderful "artist" named Rod McFarland rented out a little space to build one off rods there. The things he could do w/ thread were unfathomable. Turkey feather wraps? Flock of Mallards? Partridge tails?
His talent was only surpassed by his skill and imagination.
You have quite a talent there. I think I could get Rod`s number if you might want to share ideas. Great guy too!

Would you mind explaining the process for a 1st timer?

Thx
gfs

[gofastsandman]

Never mind the explanation. Not something a prudent person should try 1st go around.I`ll get w/ Brian @ Chaos.

[76Red18]

Hey Sandy no problem. You should give it a try. Practice with waxed wipping twine and a broom handle. Heres some pics of the basic process as I was taught.

Tape the tag end of the thread to the blank pointrd in the direction you want to wrap



Make a few wraps over the tag end, remove the tape and trim the excess thread



Tape the guide to the blank and continue the wrap half way onto the guide foot



Remove the tape and place a seperate loop of thread under the last wrap



Continue the wrap to the end of the foot.



Cut the thread leaving about 4" and insert that through the loop



Pull the thread back under the wrap with the loop and trim the excess.







Thats the basics for all wraps. I like an under wrap of contrasting color. Size A thread for light rods and D for heavy. A paper clip is useful in pushing the threads together to keep the tight appearance. Use a color-fast thread so the colors wont bleed or use color preserver on regular thread. I use flex coat epoxy products. Theres a book called "Thread Art" that gives some great step by step directions for the fancy details. A real tackle shop should have everything you need plus you can see what your really getting; not the case with some of the internet supplier. Have fun..

[McGillicuddy]

Hey Red,
Thanks for the education. Your Step by step photos are a great reference for a newbie like me. I have some old split bamboo fly rods and tuna rods that I'd like to restore some time. Thanks for the impetus to give it a go. Very nice work, too