Fussy detail

[Greymuzzle]

I'm building rods as gifts, and would like to write inscriptions on the things. What kind of marker/pen/whatever do you folks use to write those tiny letters and numbers that so eloquently describe the weight/length/and so on? And where do you get these writing implements?

[Curtis Fry]

I think I bought my pens from Cabelas but either way, you can go to a craft store and look for metallic marking pens. I think mine are x-fine tips (1mm). Practice before you write on the blank, but I've been able to wipe little boo-boo's up as long as its done quickly. Then just coat with some rod finish to preserve it.

[Cary]

The best pens for this are rapidograph technical pens. They are expensive and must be cleaned after use. With white ink, you can get a very fine, clasy line. Any drafting store or art supply house should have them.

[Danny]

This is the direction I went and I am very happy!

http://www.decalconnection.com/decal_samples.htm

[dsw]

Send a gift rod my way, I accept...

[Greymuzzle]

Danny, do you have a picture of the decal you ended up using?
Cary, I have a Rapidograph. I'll give that a try.
Curtis, I tried the 0.7 mm tip pen-touch gold, and the line is still a little fat for my liking. Of course, maybe I'd get better with a bit of practice!

[Danny]

No pics, but if you want, I can shoot a pic or two tonight and send them along.

[Greymuzzle]

I'm curious about how those look. The ones on the site look great, but they WOULD be selective. Did you choose a font, text, and so on? It looks like some of them are like blank forms on which you can write things - accurate?

[Danny]

I forgot to shoot pics, but I will tonight.

You pick your font, create the layout, and add any graphics you may want and email it in word, powerpoint etc, and he sends you a proof of what the finished product will look like before printing. He does great work.

[Danny]

Here are some pics of one of the decals I had them do for me. In reality they look a little better than in these photos, but you get the idea. You can't really see the graphic of the fly due to the curve of the rod. Plus they are blown up larger on your computer screen than they are in real life.

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=hc9tfip.cat4utl5&x=0&y=-auvfbz

[Greymuzzle]

Nice looking decals!

[Curtis Fry]

Speaking of rod decals and such....I saw a VERY cool method at Lone Peak last week. They have a guy that can do laser etchings into a layer of finish on your rod -- small images, names etc. He also does etchings into cork and wood inserts as well. If you're in the neighborhood ask Greg or Paul to show an example to you.

[Greymuzzle]

Lone Peak?

[Curtis Fry]

Lone Peak fly shop in American Fork. 648 E State St. Suite G.

It's in the same strip mall area as Gold's Gym.

[Greymuzzle]

Thanks for the address. I'll check them out next time I'm down that way!

[pathaws]

Just got my first decals for a pair of rods I am building from the decal connection mentioned earlier in this thread and I think they look great. I have used paint tip pens etc in the past, and still may in the future, but the decals do look great and were cheap. Seems like Jimi could turn anything you send him into a clear, sharp decal (also easy to work with and great customer service for a $8 order). I guess it is all about the rod, sometimes personal script looks great, but the decal is a cool alternative.

[Danny]

I also was amazed at the time and effort he put into making sure my $8 order was to my liking. I probably should have added a tip.

[Curtis Fry]

Just a question on these decals...are they an actual "sticker" you stick on the rod and finish over it? Or is it some type of transfer?

I'm asking mostly because I have some very thin transparent label material I can print on my computer and I was thinking about giving that a try....

or something like these water slide decal sheets:
http://www.papilio.com/

Thanks...

[pathaws]

They have a self adhesive option, much like a clear label, I think the chances that it ends up cloudy are pretty good though. I heard that if you put a coat of finish on the blank first let it dry then put the sticker on and finish over it, it is less likely to cloud. I didn't go with that method, I ordered a decal similar to what you put on model cars when you were a kid, they are much more transparent and fast and simple. I believe they do make a transfer type also, that would have no backing material, just the lettering or graphic. Call Jimi, that guy will tell you every detail of what he can do for you.

[Danny]

I went with the adhesive sticker type. The results were good, however, next time I will go with the water slide decal, I think those would work out just a bit better!

[pathaws]

Danny-

Did you adhere it straight to the blank? or put finish on the rod first?

[FlyGuy]

Just my $0.02, but an option is to have the end cap or reel seat hood engraved. Most jewelers or trophy shops can do nice job, but I don't recommend you do this on black finished aluminum.

[Danny]

I've attached them both ways, straight to the blank and to a thin layer of flex coat. I needed to add a small wrap to either end of the sticker to keep it from lifting off of the blank while the flex coat is drying, either way. The small wraps actually frame the decal nicely and look good.

[pathaws]

I used the waterslide decals and they adhere very well, the "new" formula from decalconnection went on flat and were very clear, I was happy with them.