I have 2 sets to contend with. A set of 3 front bank sticks for carp fishing which require screw thread tops and a set of three rear rests. These would be mainly used for carp fishing but not exclusively so. I also require a further single rod rest for general float fishing, which can utilise the carp front rests plus a separate longer stand alone bank stick for those awkward swims.
First job was to make the fitments for the fixed rod rests heads and the screw threaded ends for the multi purpose ones. I decided on a brass and cane construction for all the sticks as this was the most aesthetically pleasing and authentic looking.
The fixed rod rest were machined at an angle suitable to splay the two forks to hold a rod handle, but could also be used for a front rest if desired. Once the centre caps were made these were then drilled and tapped to accommodate the two forks which were to be brass inners with cane outers. Once these were done, the forks were cut from brass bar and threads made for each end, one to locate in the cap, and one to hold a nut to keep them in place. At this stage the Director of Finance, Housing and Discipline came past and her curiosity got the better of her as she enquired what exactly these were, as she thought they looked like little brass Martians. Extremely straight faced I told her they were for making a 3 dimensional, alien chess game, so when the aliens came I could challenge them to a game. As she scurried off to check the life insurance policies for clauses on senile dementure and mental illness I was left in peace to resume.
The second set of sticks were to have a female ferrule, tapped to 3/8 BSF to take any type of alarm or head on the market. At the same time a fourth ferrule was made for a stand alone larger stick.
Once these were completed the canes were cut for the sticks and I started on the fixed head rest first. These were flamed, both ends drilled out, and a parallel piece at the bottom end was produced as I wanted to protect the ends of the sticks by having a metal tube fitted to strengthen them and eliminate wear. I mulled over what sort of tubing to use. Aluminium was cheap especially as I had a few old banksticks which could be used, but I didn’t think they would look correct. I fancied brass tubing but I didn’t have any in, and on checking the price of sufficient tubing for the task I was initially convinced I had looked up “ 24 carat gold” tubing not brass when I saw the price of it. So it was back to the drawing board. I had some 15mm copper piping left over from a DIY plumbing job which I could use but I didn’t want it to look like I had run out of material and thrown a bit of old toilet at the sticks. In the end a compromise was reached, copper tubing was used but in time honoured traditional style some brass intermediates were added so it looked more like part of the design.
Once the tubing was complete the sticks were whipped in red and given a good few coats of varnish.
So the first stage was well under way on the fixed sticks, just a few minor bits to finish then on to the others.
To be continued
