If at all possible, spend the extra money on the Clemens. You will NOT be disappointed. There is NO comparison between the pac bay machine and the Clemens. With my Clemens, I can power through underwraps in seconds, shape and sand cork, and taper cork tape down to the butt (to be wrapped over). Also, Saltheart's buttwrap would be a breeze. Sell a few rods and you'll make up the difference in price. One thing you absolutely need regardless of what machine you get is a good work area with plenty of flourescent lighting. I recommend the 6rpm Flex Coat drying motor also for finishes.

****** Modified for the benefit of those that do not have a T-3 in their living room [img=http://www.striped-bass.com/Images/evil.gif] ******

[img=http://www.striped-bass.com/Images/Rodbench.jpg]

Wow, there is an attachment to this post with a large picture. Wait a second that's my spool of teal thread and I think that's my conventional hanging in the rafters and some of those plugs look familiar!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Note to self - Go to friends house to recover all items borrowed but never returned...........

I hated to cut the picture down but for those on a modem it would take a while...

NICE ROD ROOM!!! DAGNABIT, I've GOT to get me one of them (the room)!! Actually, this spring I get to outfit my fishing/rod building room. Do you have a problem with dust in the basement?

And I hate to ask, but how much is the Clemens?

I whole heartily agree on the 6rpm motor. I originally purchased the 18rpm but have since switched out to the 6. Fortunately, you can swap just the motor and save $30 from the wood...

Jeff, while you're at it, I see my Big Game Abu tucked to the left of those Wal-Mart, er VS reels... :P

That really is my stuff!!!! This is the basement of a friend of mine. He started rod building last winter in my basement using my Clemens lathe and as you can see caught the bug. The rod lathe as shown +/-$750 oh but then you need the drying motor another $50 unless you opt for one of those grill motors. I've been building in my basement for years without dust difficulties you just need to vacuum on a regular basis. If you can, build yourself a little room say 8'x14' with the help of a handy bro-in-law and it will be much easier to keep clean..............

What a well stocked wall of plugs!

And are those Field and Stream covers on the wall? I peeked at it before the shrikage job by John (t-3). They look like the ones Eelslinger always posts on SOL.

That much, huh? I can't spend that kind of coin a rod wrapper without getting grounded by the wife or unless I skipped building a fishing shed (in addition to the fishing room :P ). I will need to get a less expensive setup... Any ideads?

If you aren't going for the very high end one , I think the Rodsmith would be my second choice. You can extend it to 12 feet no problem. BTW , Al Goldberg recommends the 18 RPM motor. He says its good for applying finish. I guess for leveling the finish though , slower would be better?

Saltheart,

I noticed much smoother and tighter finishing on the 6rpm dryer. That might be because I'm getting better but I really think it was the slower motor. I also cheat when applying the finish. The dryer motor is put on a surge protector (as the only device) and I use the surge protector's power switch to turn the dryer on and off...

The reason I prefer the 6rpm drying motor is because it allows me to work a little more carefully around the guides. Its also easier to spot bubbles when it isnt turning so fast. I would not recommend using the slow motor when using LS2000 or any other super thin finishes. It works great for Flex Coat and U-40 Duragloss.

I've been using the U-40 which Mike T highly recommends. I do like it over the flex coat... And yes, 6rpm is much better at working around the guides and especially if you don't coat the area between the guide feet, ie, wraps only on the feet itself... I'm thinking that the $400 difference in cost will make me happy with the less $spent on the rodsmith

John any time you need a machine just call. Sence I got my Clemens I am not using the old machine. and your welcome to use it any time.Or if you want a Clemens I can get them.

Mike