I have developed a method to estimate the effect of the number, spacing, and
wraps of guides on the action of a fl rod blank. There are numerous tables
on the web and in books on guide spacing, and regardless of what you use, it
stands to reason that you may have to modify the spacing because of the
placement of ferrules (if you're using a 4 piece blank and your table was
set up for 2 and 3 pieces, or if you've found a 5 or 7 piece blank.)
With new graphite blanks, it is a good practice to limit the number of times
you assemble and disassemble rod blanks. Typically the ferrules are nearly
unreinforced, and a band of wrapping and flex coat will be recommended at
the female end of each ferrule to reinforce it - it will add strength and
reduce the chances of splitting. But to find the rod's overall spine (the
direction of preferentail flexure inherent in any non-uniform rod blank),
and to see what the overall action is, you should carefully assemble the
parts, without overtightening the blank at the unions.
The major factor is likely to be the wraps, rather than the guides, as the
guides are not major weight factors, compared to the weight of the wraps and
flex coat. Several things can be used to simulate the effects of wraps and
guides on the rod's action. Use the tables, or estimate the placement
locations using a similar rod as a reference to start from. Then use rubber
bands or masking tape wraps (that can be a problem if they leave gluey
residue - so clean the rod up afterwards). By varying the number of wraps
of tape, or the size of rubber bands, you can demonstrate to yourself the
effect of the spacing, number, and the size and thickness of flex coat can
have on varying the action of a rod. There are no equations here - you will
have to tinker around a bit, but this is one way you can keep from being
surprised at how severely adding an extra guide, or a lot of ornate wrapping
can change a rod's action. ~ Joseph A. Kissane
Publishers note:
If you have any tips or techniques, send them
along! Help out your fellow rodmakers!
~ Publisher, FAOL
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