Thought I would post this to see if there is any interest.
I am thinking about hosting a rod swap with a small twist…everyone us the same blank for the swap. I want to use the Baston E Glass blanks. I recently acquired a couple of the blanks to play with and I really like them.
A couple of reasons to use the blanks…
They are inexpensive…$11.20 for the SPG780
They make a GREAT fly rod. I had the opportunity to cast Jim Flamming’s SPG720 at the MI Fish In and it was a joy to cast!
A couple of downsides…
They are 1 piece and are hard to transport.
The cost of shipping on an oversize package is crazy.
A possible solution…
I will have the blanks shipped to me as a group order to save costs. I will then cut them into 2 pieces and the builders will ferrule them during the build. The ferrule can be a spigot or a metal ferrule…builder?s choice. The spigot ferrule is not that hard to construct…it just takes a little time. If ther is intrest, I will post instructions on making the ferrule. Metal ferrules (chrome plated brass) can be had at several rod building sites on the net at a reasonable cost.
I will leave this post up a couple of weeks to judge interest. If it is a go, I am thinking about trying to run the swap after the first of the year and having the rods done by March 1, 2009.
I would be interested. The big question is what the focus is for the build. Are we going fancy, or economy? I’d hate to submit a rod with $20 of components and get a rod returned with $200 of components. Can we have spending guidelines so everyone is building with the same basic limits?
I think that makes a lot of sense. Not because you may end up with a less desirable rod, but so that more people can decide if they want to participate. Not everyone can spend a lot for high end components, but they may be able to build a very serviceable rod for $25-$50 in parts and still have it be fun and affordable. Actually, it would be interesting to have a swap where you could not spend over $25 for all the parts, just to see how resourceful you could be.
Just my 2 cents, cuz I ain’t got no time to build no stinkin fly rods.
That’s where I was going. I think I can come up with some creative solutions, but wouldn’t feel right about switching off for a rod with REC components. It just wouldn’t be fair to the other guy. However, if you all have the same limits, it would be fun to see what shows up.
BTW, Kaboom1, I’m not telling you how to run the swap, just discussing ideas. I’m in either way.
That’s the kind of feedback I was wanting…The hole point in my opnion is to show how good of a rod that can be built for 30-40 bucks. I think that is the way we will play this one. I’ll do a little research and post it here.
Any more interest?
Brad
I’m kind of going back and forth on this one, especially since I am so new to rod building and am not confident to send off one I built to someone I may have to get along with on the BB !!!
I do like the idea, and am really curious about the ferrules you mentioned. Also, I don’t know any sources for components that would net out a rod under your $30-40 benchmark.
I guess what I’m saying is, I need a little more encouragement to join in, just not sure what that might be.
John
P.S. You specified the SPG780. Jim Flamming has talked about the SPG720 as a 5 wt blank. What weight rod would the 780 likely turn out ??
If anyone is putting off joining because you are concerned about finding economy components, give me a PM. There are some very inexpensive options out there where you should be able to get ferrules/seat/grip/guides for very easily under $20. Shopping around IS part of the fun, and I can get you some options to look into to get started.
John, join in. It is good practice, and no one will be out much money no matter what.
Example: Seat $2, Grip$3, Ferrule $3, Guide set $5, Tiptop $2, check $.30, Keeper $.50 Total: $15.80 plus shipping
Hey Brad that sounds like a lot of fun. Unfortionetly I have only built 1 rod and that was back in 1985. I remember it came out pretty nice but don’t even remember how I did it.
No I do not want to get into the swap but will be watching this thread and hope to see some pictures of rods as they get built and hope to pick up some rod building tips.
I really need to figure out how this is done and build one for myself. Of course I am sure that will lead to more and more and more rods LOL
John
Just done a quick check at Jann’s Netcraft and I come up with $18.49 for the components less the ferrule. It will run about $2.50 at Jann’s…or nothing if you decide to do a spigot ferrule.
I have read that the 780 makes a 4-5 wt rod…I have one coming. when it gets here I am going to tape a set of guides on it and see. I’ll let you know.
Brad
This is an interesting idea for a swap. I’ve been meaning to build a rod on one of these blanks for awhile now, but I’ve yet to pull the trigger. There are a number of builders out there that are doing a lot of cool things with these blanks ie. painting them, extending them so they are longer, etc. Most of these guys are using decent quality components on them as well. Over on the FiberglassFlyrodders forum, they call these rods “Tadpoles”.
I’d love to participate in this swap, but I’m currently unemployed and I can’t justify spending any money on rod building right now.
I’ll dig around in the hell hole I call a tying/rod building room (I can’t even move in there because I haven’t built a rod or tied a fly in so long), and see if I still have a couple of e-glass 2-piece spin rod blanks. I remember they had a crappy finish so I just put them back in the tube and shelved them. They were $5 each, but might make for something decent for a new rod builder to build a fly rod on. If I can find them I’ll tape on some guides and see if they will cast a 3 or 4wt line. For sure the price will be right if they work, and somebody can build a super cheapo rod without having to cut a blank and glue on ferrules. If I remember correctly, they came from Rod-Blanks.com, which I believe went out of business. I checked and the website is no longer there.
Going to Yours Truly now with Mama for a Killet Skillet. Eat your heart out, Mikey!:p:p:p:p I’ll check back later with my search results. Might have to send a rescue team for me if I don’t come out of the basement withing a reasonable time.
Well, got the blanks and found a set of guides. Used the guide calculator found on rodbuildingforum.com and taped them on. Tried a 4 wt first. Without too much effort, I cast 59 feet right out of the box. Switched to a 5 wt line and it cast it well also. Guys, these are going to be GREAT rods. Maybe a little slower than you are used to, but if you don’t overpower it, it casts like a dream.
Brad;
In my demented state getting ready for the Idaho Fish-In I’ll go for anything!!(?) Count me in!
Who stole my Whisky!! I know I had some somewhere!!
Again, I’m in. I have a 9’ 5-6 weight, so a shorter 5 would be a nice addition. Joe has me thinking now. I have an old 6’ glass 2 piece on a shelf that might be a good flyrod. I think I might have to try it out. I was going to wrap it as a joke rod for my dad using bailing wire, duct tape, electrical tape, twine and other miscellaneous material over transparent black thread wraps just to get his fishing buddies to freak out.
Now that I mention it again, I think I’ll get that started, too. That would be too fun not to put together for him. I might have to give the cork grip some overspray just for the effect.
Did you read John Flamming’s article on these blanks? http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/readerscast/rc457.php It’s pretty interesting. If you have one of those Batson SPG721 2-piece spinning blanks, John says they equate to a 6’-0" 6-7Wt fly rod. I cannot imagine such a short rod in that weight range, but John built it and had it at the 2007 MIFI. I was there but did not get to cast the short rods.
I went into the dungeon and found two SPG721 2-piece blanks. They were $5 each plus shipping, and were part of group purchase of different fly and spin blanks.
If these rods would turn out to be a 6’ 6 or 7 wt, I wouldn’t be much interested.
Brad actually tested the blanks to be used for the swap, and rates them in the 4/5 range. A 6’ 4 wt with a moderate action could be a great small to medium stream dry fly rod.
At 6/7 I wouldn’t be in - at 4/5 it sounds pretty good.
John
P.S. Jim’s Reader’s Cast article that you linked whet my appetite for this kind of rod when it came out about a year ago. Thanks for posting the link.
I might have to give the cork grip some overspray just for the effect.