310 AMATEUR TACKLE MAKING, ETC. 



glue, but this again is false economy, for shaky 

 joinings and weak splices are almost invariably the 

 result, and then one hears the well-worn expression : 

 " My top has given way ; it is quite weak at the 

 wrappings ; there, see, I shall most certainly have 

 to get a duplicate." When reason dictates the splice 

 should be the stronger part of the whole piece, we 

 comprehend the evil arising from this cause. 



Directly the ferrules are mounted, and the tongues 

 cut upon the foot of the top and second piece, and 

 the holes bored at the top of the last-named and 

 butt, the whole may be put together to ascertain 

 the power and play. A little taken off here and 

 there evenly, adjusts and perfects, which done 

 satisfactorily, polishing with fine emery cloth or 

 shark's skin following next, it then remains for the 

 rings and similar furniture to be fixed upon it by the 

 usual silk bindings. The ferrules are to be set on 

 permanently, with thick oil varnish, and finally 

 riveted ; the whole is then ready for coating, first 

 with French polish, then with copal or some other 

 equally good waterproof varnish, and your rod is 

 done, though by no means ready for immediate use, 

 as many days are often required for its " coat " to 

 thoroughly harden ; indeed, the better the quality of 

 the varnish, the longer time necessary for hardening. 

 Spirit varnishes, dissolved shellac, and other gums, 

 dry in a few minutes, or hours at most, but they are 

 comparatively of small value as waterproof protections 

 against wear and weather. An additional short top 

 converts the foregoing into a good stiff spinning rod 



