Question about imperfections on x-ray blank

[chrisg_sdcf]

I recently ordered a couple rods built on NFC X-ray blanks and they showed up with some imperfections. I don't really care if it's just cosmetic just won't order on those blanks again. Mostly curious if this is normal or not with NFC blanks.

[setsail26]

Yes, this is normal, at least in my experience. I've built on 5 xray blanks and all had the sort of imperfections you point out. So far I don't think the imperfections affect performance, but of course it is hard to know for sure. I've built on a lot of other brands of blanks and the vast majority have looked perfect. I'm thinking this is the price we pay when we get $200 blanks for $80-100.

[chrisg_sdcf]

Yes, this is normal, at least in my experience. I've built on 5 xray blanks and all had the sort of imperfections you point out. So far I don't think the imperfections affect performance, but of course it is hard to know for sure. I've built on a lot of other brands of blanks and the vast majority have looked perfect. I'm thinking this is the price we pay when we get $200 blanks for $80-100.

Thanks. After searching some more I think you are right. Do companies like kistler pay more money for better quality x ray blanks and the lower quality blanks get sold cheap?

I guess next time I'll have someone build on a point blank blank.

[MikeK]

Not sure if he's aware of this forum, but Aleks Maslov is running NFC and seems pretty responsive to posts on a couple of other forums. Email him the pics. I'm interested to know the answer having not tried the x-ray blanks yet.

[Hogsticker2]

Shouldn't be. I find that guide wrap and cut outs in the blank under the reel seat unacceptable. The lines and swirls on the blank are normal though. It's your money Chris, but if you're not happy with the results, don't let it slide. Especially at the cost of these builds. The crap part is that it's NFC, and unfortunately, their customer service is awful. Did they build these, or did you have someone else build them for you?

[chrisg_sdcf]

Not sure if he's aware of this forum, but Aleks Maslov is running NFC and seems pretty responsive to posts on a couple of other forums. Email him the pics. I'm interested to know the answer having not tried the x-ray blanks yet.

I'll look for his email address

[Drakestar]

I’m not an expert on this topic, so just a guess: it looks like a lot of these imperfections are the result of not sanding down the blank as much as many companies do. Is that something that NFC does or is expecting each rod builder to do? I have a couple of rods that make unsanded blanks part of their aesthetic, but it’s weird to see it under the reel seat where the finger touches the blank...

[chrisg_sdcf]

Shouldn't be. I find that guide wrap and cut outs in the blank under the reel seat unacceptable. The lines and swirls on the blank are normal though. It's your money Chris, but if you're not happy with the results, don't let it slide. Especially at the cost of these builds. The crap part is that it's NFC, and unfortunately, their customer service is awful. Did they build these, or did you have someone else build them for you?

Well if you are talking about the first and fourth picture of the guide wrap, the wrap doesn't look bad really but those dark raised rings on the blank above the wrap also run down at an angle under the guide wrap. Similar to the lines you see below the wrap (runs at an angle and then around) but the lines below are bit raised. The swirls don't really bother me but just took pictures of everything I noticed. The gauge under the reel seat looks like it was caused by the reel seat somehow.

Someone else built them for me (ordered through a website after talking to the owner).

[MardukFIN]

It's normal. Almost every x-ray blank has some of those cosmetic errors. Does not affect performance.

[chrisg_sdcf]

It's normal. Almost every x-ray blank has some of those cosmetic errors. Does not affect performance.

Cool. These weren't expensive (in my opinion), just wanted to try the blanks out. Only really care about performance. I was curious if it's normal because I've been considering a kistler z-bone on the same blank.

[chrisg_sdcf]

Not sure if he's aware of this forum, but Aleks Maslov is running NFC and seems pretty responsive to posts on a couple of other forums. Email him the pics. I'm interested to know the answer having not tried the x-ray blanks yet.

Emailed him. Only response I got was asking for the company that built the rods so no real explanation yet.

[shfishinsticks]

I find that guide wrap and cut outs in the blank under the reel seat unacceptable.

I normally don't critique someone's work, but if there's a custom builder selling a football epoxy job like that, they should be ashamed of themselves