11-30-2020, 03:32 PM
Some of this isn't that new,. but I've gotten more serious about making more polished an long-lasting items, after all the prototyping and screwing around.
First thing, I made 3 new longer ice rods by buying cheap two piece rods (like the 410.00 Durangos from Mal-Wart, or one step up), cutting them off just ahead of the handle at the first wrap, and gluing the distal section inside that. Sometimes you have to cut another 2" section to shim up the fit. These seem to give me a custom length, sensitive rod without too much backbone toward the grip, and the longer butt/grip that I prefer.
Second, you know those puzzle-piece foam floor mats? I started using those dual purpose as rod holders and kneeling pads. If I cut one about 10" wide, leave the tabs on the ends but trim them off of the sides, and add a loop of string about 18" diameter, I now have a rocking-horse rod holder that jigs by itself when the wind blows. The tabs are offset from one end to the other, so I loop the string around say, three on the front, and four on the back, and adjust the loop until the mat bends to a crescent. Then I lay my rod across the span, like you would a bucket, and balance it.
I also made some tiny plastic flags, almost like a mast or sail, with miniature clothespins that clip on the tip of a rod and jig very subtly for me when the wind blows. This one is pretty new.
I made a bunch of slip bobbers out of some Dollar Store wet hair curlers, that look promising.
Improved my home-made underwater camera with a better battery, and bought new batteries for my drill, which may finally allow me to use it wit my auger.
First thing, I made 3 new longer ice rods by buying cheap two piece rods (like the 410.00 Durangos from Mal-Wart, or one step up), cutting them off just ahead of the handle at the first wrap, and gluing the distal section inside that. Sometimes you have to cut another 2" section to shim up the fit. These seem to give me a custom length, sensitive rod without too much backbone toward the grip, and the longer butt/grip that I prefer.
Second, you know those puzzle-piece foam floor mats? I started using those dual purpose as rod holders and kneeling pads. If I cut one about 10" wide, leave the tabs on the ends but trim them off of the sides, and add a loop of string about 18" diameter, I now have a rocking-horse rod holder that jigs by itself when the wind blows. The tabs are offset from one end to the other, so I loop the string around say, three on the front, and four on the back, and adjust the loop until the mat bends to a crescent. Then I lay my rod across the span, like you would a bucket, and balance it.
I also made some tiny plastic flags, almost like a mast or sail, with miniature clothespins that clip on the tip of a rod and jig very subtly for me when the wind blows. This one is pretty new.
I made a bunch of slip bobbers out of some Dollar Store wet hair curlers, that look promising.
Improved my home-made underwater camera with a better battery, and bought new batteries for my drill, which may finally allow me to use it wit my auger.