Hello, I would like to build a Powell B Taper influenced hollow 8' to 8 1/2' 5 or 6 wt. I can find several Powell tapers and a taper calculator but
they don't appear to be for a hollow rod. Can anyone suggest how to modify an existing taper for hollow construction or point me to a Powell taper that is
for hollow construction. I have read that you can add 3% to 5% to an existing taper for hollow construction, but was hoping for something less experimental.
Best regards,
This forum began as Clark's Classic Bamboo Rod Forum, founded by Clark Davis for all who share a passion for classic rods. The forum is now owned by Whitefish Press aka Dr. Todd Larson - banjo.
For those who don't use English as their primary language we now have a translator for your language of choice hosted by Google.
0 Kudo
- Members Corner
- Forum Announcements
- Collecting Bamboo Fly Rods
- Fishing Bamboo Fly Rods
- Rod making, restoration, repairs and discussion on those related topics concerning bamboo rods.
- Rod and Reel Makers Forum
- Information About Makers & Manufacturers
- Taper Exchange
- Appraisals & Identification of Bamboo Fly Rods
- Ephemera, empherma and Ephemerella.....
- Book Talk
- Photos, paintings, written stories and talents.
- Classic Reels
- Collecting and Tying Classic Flies
- The Cooks Kitchen
- The Classic Fly Rod Classifieds
- Technical Support
Hollow Powell Taper
| Author | Comment | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 troutcreek |
Hollow Powell Taper |
Lead | ||
|
Posts: 1 12/03/2008 14:21 |
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Tom Smithwick |
Hollow Powell suggestion | #1 | ||
|
Posts: 444 12/05/2008 11:14 |
I don't know for sure, but I have never read anything which suggests Powell changed the tapers to compensate for hollowing. I also never got to measure
such a rod. My own suggestion would be that you start with a B9 taper. I would use a tip dimension of .066/.068 for the 5 weight, and .072/.074 for the 6
weight, the slope of the taper being .003/inch. I would go with a 7.5 to 8 foot length for the 5, and 8 to 8.5 for the 6 weight. The taper is medium fast to
begin with, and I can't see how you could go wrong by hollowing. If you build a matched set, one hollow and one solid, you will end up knowing more than
most of us.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
troutcreek |
Thanks for the suggestion | #2 | ||
|
Posts: 2 12/05/2008 14:03 |
Tom, Thanks for the advice, I will let you know how it works out. Regards,
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
E C Powell |
#3 | |||
|
Posts: 21 12/07/2008 19:53 |
I would sugest using a B 8 3/4 taper. ( .00875" every 6" ) Start your tip at .070". The butt section slab the strips (remove the pith) to
.070" and replace with cedar or sugar pine.
Good fishing Eugene C Powell |
|||
|
|
||||
|
troutcreek |
Thank you for the taper information | #4 | ||
|
Posts: 3 12/08/2008 10:46 |
Eugene, Thank you for the information. Regards, Ray
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
grass n glue |
B 8 3/4 h.b. | #5 | ||
|
Posts: 55 12/08/2008 17:50 |
Hi Eugene, If the B-8 is .0087 per strip every 6" or finished rod numbers? If that is finished blank of bamboo it would be a slow rod .So my question is,
does the cedar slab quicken the rod ? I feel like making a hollow slab stick this winter. Btw I think your G.Father ? E.C was one of the best rod makers ever .
I have been looking for one of his 8' h.b. for some time. I am H.B. his way. Take care
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
HexaMaineiac |
Powell tapers | #6 | ||
|
Posts: 533 12/22/2008 22:15 |
Is there a book or website that discusses these tapers/formulas? Thanks, Henry.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
grass n glue |
Info Powell | #7 | ||
|
Posts: 57 12/24/2008 10:37 |
Hi Hex,
There is some info on the bamboorodmaking dot com site. Do a E. C. Powell site search |
|||
|
|
||||
|
Tom B |
#8 | |||
|
Posts: 3 12/24/2008 20:35 |
Eugene's recommendation of a B 8 3/4 is a good one - works out to a finished blank diameter of .290 per 100". This is one of my all-time favorite
tapers - a smooth medium action that is great for middle distances. I start with .072" for an 8-1/2' 6wt, .070 for an 8' 6wt, and .068" for
a 7-1/2' 5wt. I haven't tried hollow building these yet, but I'd consider adding .002" to every dimension for thin .070" wall thickness.
Tom |
|||
|
|
||||
|
troutcreek |
Thanks for the information | #9 | ||
|
Posts: 4 12/26/2008 20:38 |
Tom, Thanks for the sound advice and comment. I don't think I can get much better information about Powel Tapers than from Eugene. It is interesting to hear that you suggest increasing diameter with a wall thickness of .070. What wall thickness do you recommend? Best regards, Ray |
|||
|
|
||||
|
grass n glue |
H.B Cedar | #10 | ||
|
Posts: 58 12/30/2008 18:38 |
Hi Tom B, Thanks for your info. Just a little less than the B-9. I believe Bob Mallucci tried some with cedar slab Hollow rods but I cannot remember the
results? Does anyone remember? I don't think he builds anymore.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Tom B |
#11 | |||
|
Posts: 4 01/03/2009 01:05 |
Ray, I've always followed Ray Gould's recommendation of a minimum .070" wall thickness, which provides strength and enough surface for glue.
I've seen and cast rods with much thinner walls, and they really cast well. As for increasing taper to accomodate hollowing, I use a chart that Bob Milward
published in his first book.
Grass & Glue, I remember corresponding with Bob Malucci about his Powell Tapers. As I recall, he really liked addidng the cedar. Another guy who knows a lot about Powell's process is Chris Lucker. I haven't seen anything from Chris in a few years, but he was always very helpful to me. Tom |
|||
|
|
||||
|
troutcreek |
B9 8'6" ready to ferrule | #12 | ||
|
Posts: 5 01/14/2009 16:34 |
Hi Tom I just pulled the string on an 8'6" B9 taper with a tip starting at .078. Wall thickness on the butt is .070 and the tip just a bit less
(.065). I posted photos of the cleaned up blank on the images on my information page. I am hoping for a 7 wt medium fast rod but one line size up or down is
still fine. The rod needs very little straightening out of the string. I don't know if this is my skill improving or something to do with hollow building.
I will get if ferruled in the next couple days and hope to have the rod finished in the next couple weeks. Thanks for the information. Ray
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Tom B |
#13 | |||
|
Posts: 5 01/30/2009 00:59 |
Ray, the blank looks really good. I'm curious as to how the rod casts. My guess is that it it will be a nice DT6/WF7, but you won't know until you cast
it. Let me know how it turns out!
Tom |
|||
|
|
||||
|
troutcreek |
Finished Rod | #14 | ||
|
Posts: 7 01/31/2009 15:02 |
Tom, I posted some photo's of the finished rod on my info page... I cast the rod with both a weight forward 6 wt and wf 7 wt line. I casts both lines well
but seems to come alive with the 7... With the 7 wt it loads further down the rod shaft and seems to cast as well with less effort. I fished the rod for the
first time yesterday on the Lower Deschutes. The weather and water were both cold but I did catch a couple respectable sized trout and the rod did well. It has
enough backbone to handle the occasional Winter Steelhead and still feel right with trout. I am very pleased with the smooth and comfortable action. I am
ordering some Port Orford Cedar for my next rod (which is the 5 wt that I was planning when I started this string). Thanks for the help and information. Ray
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Tom B |
#15 | |||
|
Posts: 6 03/05/2009 00:23 |
Ray, that's a beautiful rod, and a great taper for a big river like the Deschutes! I'll be interested to see how your 5wt. turns out.
Tom |
|||
|
|
||||
|
troutcreek |
#16 | |||
|
Posts: 9 03/07/2009 22:17 |
Tom, Thanks for the positive comments. The 5 wt. should be completed by end of March. I still plan to use a B9 taper, but plan on making slight modifications to address tip bounce and ferrule. The modifications are very slight because the Straight Line B9 Taper seems to work very well. Thanks, Ray |
|||
|
|
||||
|
troutcreek |
5 wt B 9 | #17 | ||
|
Posts: 13 05/06/2009 17:36 |
Tom, I finished the 5 wt late March but forgot to post photos. I just uploaded some pictures into my account if you are interested. I was able to fish the rod
several times and the rod fishes very well. One of the photos show the assembled rod on an electronic scale weighing in at 4.4 oz. and it now weights 4.3 oz
due (I think) to the varnish curing.   Ray
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
matsoberg |
#18 | |||
|
Posts: 366 05/07/2009 09:44 |
Ray. Good looking rod. Will you be at the Metoiius show and if so, will you bring that 5wt? I´m delightded to hear you are enjoying your B-tapers. I do too. Very convinient fishing tools in my opinion.
What´s your next project? |
|||
|
|
||||
|
troutcreek |
Metolius | #19 | ||
|
Posts: 14 05/07/2009 15:39 |
Mats, I may make the Metolius show but am currently scheduled to be traveling for work. This could change and if I make it to the show I will bring the rod. I
have to pass by the Deschutes on my way to the Metolius so it is a nice trip. Thanks, Ray
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Tom B |
#20 | |||
|
Posts: 7 05/29/2009 00:33 |
Ray, thanks for posting pictures of your 5wt. Your workmanship is fabulous!
How does the rod cast? Tom |
|||
|
|
||||
- Members Corner
- Forum Announcements
- Collecting Bamboo Fly Rods
- Fishing Bamboo Fly Rods
- Rod making, restoration, repairs and discussion on those related topics concerning bamboo rods.
- Rod and Reel Makers Forum
- Information About Makers & Manufacturers
- Taper Exchange
- Appraisals & Identification of Bamboo Fly Rods
- Ephemera, empherma and Ephemerella.....
- Book Talk
- Photos, paintings, written stories and talents.
- Classic Reels
- Collecting and Tying Classic Flies
- The Cooks Kitchen
- The Classic Fly Rod Classifieds
- Technical Support
Quick Reply
The Orvis database by Greg Reynolds Finally available again!!
Check out the Paul Young Rod Co. database which is owned and maintained by member Robert Golder (quashnet).
Paul Young Rod Co. database by quashnet
DISCLAIMER:The views, and opinions, posted here are the sole responsibility of the poster. Negative comments, when directed at individuals, or other private concerns, will not be tolerated, posters should treat this media no differently than any other media source, in other words, if you would not submit what you are going to post in the newspaper, or a magazine, and sign your name as the author, kindly refrain from doing so here. The Classic Fly Rod Forum is not an open air forum for vendor/maker complaints. If you seek resolution, it is recommended you talk to the vendor/maker. If you seek an audience, it is recommended you go elsewhere. The admin and the Moderators reserve the right to remove any items deemed inappropriate according to the rules of conduct prominently displayed on each forum. If you have any questions or concerns you are free to email us at
send email to the Classic Fly Rod Forum
Posting to sell Domain names and the like, i.e. SPAM, is against YUKU Policy, if you post these types of posts here you will be banned from this board and YUKU will more than likely ban you from the site entirely. Thank you..........
The Fly Fishing Loop is sponsored by flydepot.com
[ Home Waters | Next | Random | List | Search ]
