Advice to First Time Rod Builders

I see a couple more members are going to start building rods. Let me tell you it is fun and rewarding. Here are some suggestion/tips I received on the forum some months ago that helped my get started.
As well as some things I learned the hard way.
You need a well lighted work area. I installed a 4' shop light over the bench. Under 20 bucks and the most expensive "Tool" you'll need.
Get the video. There a couple floating around out there going from new builder to new builder. Maybe they'll turn up again,
In the meantime print Al Campbells articles and practice your wraps on a piece of dowel or old rod.
Make sure your work area is clean and as dust free as possible
Mix the epoxies well and at the proper percentage. I started using the Cabela's Rod Finish Packs. I mix them with a small kniting needle no wood.
Drying times are long so make sure your work place is out of the mainstream of traffic.
I would suggest multi piece rods for the first one at least. You can assemble the grip and reel seat and while it's drying start wraping guides
Start wraping on the largest blank so you'll have it down pat when you get to the smallest blank.
When the guides are on the first blank you can coat it (I use color preserver first) and while it's drying start wraping the next blank.
A 6.5'/7.5' 4 pc. rod could be assembled in an evening
A cardboard box with a couple of notches in it serves well as a drier. Just set an oven timer to remind you to turn it 180 degrees every 15 minutes.
Anyone with more helpful advice jump in. And if you have a better/simpler way let us beginners know!!




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I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!

Cactus AKA "Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)"

[ET custom flyrods]

Hey Jack.......I remember seeing your 1st post and then all the strings to follow.ha

Now your advising...ha.......This is a good thing! Now tell me rod building isnt addictive!....PS. after awhile the carboard box will dissapear and you'll be building your own jigs and dryers..(if ya havent already done so)..gotta love it.....Best regards

[This message has been edited by Smernsky (edited 03 November 2005).]

[Terry Lightle]

Jack thanks for the tips. I think I will gather up all my parts after Christmas and jump in with both feet.So I may be asking more questions when the time comes to start.

[Greg F]

The other thing I would suggest is don't underestimate the seriousness of proper epoxy mixing. Warm the epoxy bottles under a lamp first,then mix the heck out of the epoxy after you have measured out exactly even amounts. Pour onto flat aluminum foil after mixing and exhale on it, the bubbles will pop.

Smernsky:
Never went the cardboard box route. I built a turner out of an old rotisserie I got for a buck at a garage sale and a set of wood "V" blocks.
I run into something new every day and this is the best place to get the answers!
I think attempting "Rod Building" could be very intimadating! But, if a klutz like me can do it anyone can!


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I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!

Cactus AKA "Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)"

[OkieBass133]

1. Practice, practice, practice- especially if you are doing decorative thread work, trim bands, etc. You can use a dowel rod, a section from a broken or no-longer-used rod, whatever. Get comfortable with the thread tension, compacting your wraps, and starting and finishing a wrap before you get started on the real deal.

2. If it doesn't look good, undo it and start over. If you can't get all the gaps out when you burnish, you accidentally crossed some threads, if there is dust stuck in the threads that you just can't get out- cut your wraps off and do them over. It is much easier to take off bare thread than it is to take off epoxied thread when you decided that you should have done it better in the first place a couple months down the road.

3. Wash your hands before you sit down and get started, and if your hands sweat then keep them dry with a towel and wash them occasionally. This will keep your thread free of dirt and body oils.

4. Have fun and take your time. If it takes you a month, then that's fine- so long as you are enjoying yourself and doing quality work.

Oh, and Jack- I disagree with your advice about letting one section dry while wrapping the other. That may be fine for the experienced builder, but I think the beginner should do the following-
-Spine each section individually and then assemble them with the spines alligned.
-Space your guides, and wrap them up. Start with the first and last, and use them as a guide to keep the other guides in line (this helps to avoid "creep").
-When the guides are wrapped up, but before you even think of picking up that glue, go out and lawn cast your rod, and have somebody hold the end of your line and give the rod a bit of flex. You may find that you need to move some of your guides closer together to avoid sharp angles, or spread them out a bit if you can take one out and save the weight.
-Once you are sure the guides are where you want them, then you may proceed to get a bad mix of epoxy, or glob on too much, or too little, or spill it all over the kitchen table, or get it in your eye. (Don't even pretend like you won't do at least one of those things! I've done all of them ) <--- That's not a wink, that's me after getting epoxy in my eye!

[This message has been edited by OkieBass133 (edited 07 November 2005).]