No need for a lot of special equiptment or special tools.

I built my first rod using a cardboard box with two "V" shaped notches cut out of the sides as my 'rod wrapper/rod holder" I still use a bowl of pennies and a phone book as my 'thread tensioner'.

You probaly already own most of the tools you will need, the rest you can easily make.

Check out the rodbuilding articles on the left side menu of FOAL and they will get you started. If any questions come up post them here for a quick response.

You might want to check out the Cabela's Stowaway 5 piece, the blank runs about $30 and the 3wt is a real sweet casting rod.

If you can tie a fly or handle an improved clinch knot on a size 20 hook you can easily build a graphite rod. Your first rod may not have the cosmetic appeal of a factory rod, but each fish you catch on it will feel better.