With Craig's permissision I will add his comments to the article, and send
it to Andrew. Please be patient as as I am up to my ass in alligator's at
work!

--
Dave Norton
Millennium Rods
"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
I thin Craig's comments warant inclusion.


"Andrew Kidd" wrote in message
news:WgQmb.25305$275.35386@attbi_s53...
After receiving a nomination and a second on adding this to the FAQ, I
agree.

Please review the following links:

http://www.rofb.net/faq/faq_rodaction.htm

Dave, since you are the author of this article, if you would like it
removed, please let me know! If you would like to make any changes,
please
feel free to send them to me. I noticed that this did say draft in the
original title.

If no problems, conflicts or complaints are received within the
next
72
hours, I will consider this an addition to the FAQ. Thanks to everyone
for
making the suggestions!

Once again, if you see older articles that you feel should be
removed
from the FAQ, please let me know and I'll take it to the group for
discussion.
--
Andrew Kidd
http://www.amiasoft.com/ - Software for the rest of us!
http://www.rofb.net/ - ROFB Newsgroup Home


"Dave Norton" wrote in message
...
A Rod Blanks Power vs Action



Action of a Rod can best be described as that portion of a rod blank
that
bends during a cast. In an extra-fast blank, the blank will bend the
most
in
the top 25% of the blank.. In the case of a fast action blank, the
blank
will bend most in the top 33% of the blank.If you are casting a
moderate
action blank you would find that the blank will flex in the top 50% of
the
blank. While a slow action rod would reveal a continuous curve along
the
entire rod blank.

So much for the short version on Rod Action. There is much more here
than
meets the eye as we will soon reveal. However let us first try to
describe
Rod Power. You will see clearly the difference between ACTIONand
POWER.

Rod blank power is simply a rating. Based upon the design
characteristics
of
a particular blank model. Power catagories are as follows:

UL- Ultra-Light

Light

ML-Med/Light

Medium

Medium Heavy

Heavy

Extra Heavy

Ulra Heavy

Now, power simply describes the overall stiffness of a blank, and the
blanks
ability to React. The reason for power rating is because there are
big
and
small fishey's. You would not use an Ultra-Light to flip into heavy
cover
for a 10lb bass. Conversely, you would not use a Mag Heavy blank
designed
for Muskie fishing to reel in Crappie. Oh you could but, man what
overkill.
That is the basis behind the Rod-Power ratings.

So let's get back to Rod-Action. Rod action is more closely related to
fishing technique. Remember the terms, Extra-fast, Fast, Moderate and
Slow?
These terms relate to the amount of time required for a blank to reach
maximum load,

A blanks action is created by the design of the taper of the graphite
sheets! Huh? As of my writing this, blank manufacturers use both
tapers
that are designed into the mandrels around which the blank materials
is
wrapped, and taper cut material which is then wrapped around the
mandrels.

Wait? they use multiple taper mandrels and taper cut material. This is
how
they can design so many different model of blanks. Simply by changing
where
on the mandrel the material is rolled, they can change the blanks
action.
Also by changing the taper of the cut material, can the action of a
blank
change.

Basically - a slow or moderate action blank will have the material cut
in
a
straight taper. While a fast or extra-fast action would have a
multiple
of
compound tapers with less material at the tip of the blank. How fast
will
the action be? That will depend on where the changes in the tapers
occur.
Remember that a fast action blank bends most in the upper 33% of the
blank.

So now we have the beginnings of a vague idea on how action not only
works
but is created in a blank.

What about the terms HMG, IM, and HS. These terms refer to the
graphite
material used in the blanks.HMG= High Modulus Graphite is used to
create
today's extremely sensitive blanks. It is more densely woven, and
therefore
requires less material. However, since less material is used the blank
walls
are thinner. Hence the blanks are somewhat more fragile. IM=
Intermediate
Modulus Graphite- the mainstay of most blanks- IM can range from 36
million
modulus all the way up to 54 million modulus. Modulus refers to the
elasticity of the fibers. The higher the modulus the less elastic it
is.
HS=
High Strengh Graphite. This fiber is used in conjunction with the
other
two;
to add strength to the blanks.

All blanks today use a combination of these three fabrics. HS can be
rolled
on the mandrel in a spiral or at a right angle to the main sheets of
material. This creates a hoop effect, to help keep the blank from
shattering
or the blank walls from collapsing.

I realize that I have strayed from the topic of Action vs Power, but
these
are not simplistic subjects, and deserve all the attention I can
muster.
As
you can see "many" variables go into the design andmakeup of a rod
blank.

Yet, I must also note that this is not where design ends. A blank
"action"
can be altered by several methods which can be employed by the rod
builder.
First, the builder can alter the action by minutely cutting the tip
section.
However, this technique is seldom employed. A rod builder can also
change
the action by the type of guides used and where they are placed on
the
blank. That's right, the builder can actually change the action of a
blank,
either to soften or harden it by the type of guides used; how many
are
used, and where they are placed.

Well that's it in a nutshell. I hope that this will help answer some
questions regarding this subject, And that maybe if someone asks you
why
a
rod behaves as it does, you will be able to help them understand. I
also
hope that this helps to explain a little, the difference between a
custom
rod and a manufacturered one.

Only custom builder seek to design and construct the ultimate fishing
rods,
Manufacturers seek to maintain the status quo. In otherwords, they
strive
to
make each rod in a model series as identical as possible. But as we
have
learned, there are too many variables for this to be a reality. First,
human
hands cut the graphite, pre-peg as it's called, and roll it onto the
mandels. Everywhere in the process,humans are involved. Thus, no two
blanks
could ever be the same or fish the same.


--
Dave Norton
Millennium Rods