I agree with Ralph, even with magic, there’s no way you’re going to make a bamboo rod in a short period of time. Many rodmakers call their first rod the “Thousand Hour Rod”. They aren’t exaggerating too much. It will take every evening you have for many weeks, possibly months to produce your first rod, if you want it to be of any quality. It’s not an impossible task, but it’s not an easy task. If it was, then everyone would be doing it and people like me would have to find another line of work! 
Tools… Yes, there are some “specialty” tools you will have to have. A planing form is a must. Good low angle hand plane is a must. A binder (the tool that wraps to the rod in opposing spirals of thread to hold it together during the gluing and heat treating processes) is not a must, as there are a few out there that “hand bind”, but you have to have exceptional feel to hand bind and get just the right tension on the thread. Sanding a rod to a final taper is a nightmare. First, you’ll probably ruin your fingers, your rod sections and your sanity. As Jim Payne once said about one process of rodmaker he was asked about, it’s “…like doing brain surgery with a butterknife”.
I love to see people make their own rods, and I’m not trying to discourage you in any way. All I’m saying is, you’re going to build a rod that, if you bought it from someone like me, would cost you between $1500 and $2000, so don’t hesitate to get the proper tools to build the rod. If you’re going to jump in, at least jump in with a planing form (there are places on the net that will tell you how to bulid your own), a couple of good hand planes and some sort of binder (you can make your own, I did and it works great… plans from the old Wise Fishermans). Talk to some rodmakers. Most are more than willing to help you out. I am willing, for sure. email address is RLNunley@hughes.net I may be slow answering (I spend a lot of time in the shop and am travelling quite a bit right now. Heading back south in a few days) but I will answer and help you in any way I can.
As for how long it takes to make a quality rod… count on that “Thousand Hours”. If you come in at 500 hours, you’re doing good. LOL The next one will be quicker, and the next quicker, and with each rod, your workmanship becomes better. Before long, you’ll be making rods in 40 or 50 hours instead of 40 or 50 days, but in the end, it will be well worth it.
Summary:
Invest in the right tools for the job.
Don’t expect too much of yourself first time in the fire.
Be patient… rodmaking will test your patience and temper!
Best of luck,
Bob
