I am going to do it. Many of you have provided the inspiration to build a rod and I’m gonna order the stuff and do it.
Any suggestions on kits? or should I buy the rod building accecssories separate? is it OK to buy used rod building tools?? Any suggestions on helpful sites?
I am looking for recommendations and if anyone has those rod racks, tensioners, thread etc that they want to sell, give me a holler...bhturpin@bhturpinlaw.com
Thanks and I appreciate the comraderie. I’ll list the pics when I get done.
Here’s my take on it. For your first one, get a kit. I like the Forecasts kits from Hook and Hackle, and they will let you sub out components as you like (at least they used to). As far as tooling, you’ve most likely got everything that you will need. You can get by with a bobbin, a carboard box, a cloth of some sort, and some books. Dig around here just a bit, and you’ll find a lot of discussions on this subject.
I’m going to take the opposite tack. I think it is more fun and you will learn more if you plan the rod and match the components yourself rather than buying a kit. Get a checklist (I think Hook and Hackle has one on their website) to make sure you don’t forget something. Once you decide on what you want, call the supplier and discuss it with them. I’ve dealt with Custom Tackle, Mudhole and Dan Craft and all have been helpful. Hook and Hackle is also helpful, but service can be a little spotty.
As far as equipment, save your money on the first one. I built a simple frame from wood that is no more than an open box with notches on each side to hold the blank. I use my fly tying bobbin tensioned with a telephone book and turn the whole thing by hand. I have built 5 rods on this setup.
Before you start, go through Al Campbell’s 12 part series on rod building. You will learn a lot.
I agree with dunfly. Get some catalogs and pick your parts. Call the catalog and have them help walk you throught the order to make sure things are right. log on to rodbuilding .org. Great bunch of builders. No question is stupid. For a first time rod I would go with permagloss for a finish on wraps. It’s just a lot easier to work than epoxies.
BTW my first rod was built using a copy of war and peace, a brick for weight and the spool of thread in a cofee cup.
Being new to fly rods I will kick in my 2 cents. A kit is fine if you want no control over what you are using but just want the basic componets so if you make a mistake not out that much. Also my experience with kits a lot of times the componets are not that good which equates out to hard to attach. I have built a lot of spinning rods and learned this from the kits I used. As far as tools I bought a inexpensive set of reamers from jans net craft for the cork. I have built the rod wrapping tool with tensioners and would be more then willing to send pics of it so you can see how it is done total price was under $7.00, I use a dental pick to make sure the wraps are just right side by side, a piece of very thin wire for the thread to pull it through the wraps, and a pair of very sharp fingernail clippers to cut the thread. I use U40 for the color perserver and finish but only cause I have been using it for years, and I don’t want to mix anything for fear of making a mistake. LOL
As far as buying from someone and keep in mind this is my opinion only: If hook and Hackle was giving away stuff I would not take it cause it would be on backorder or non exsistant. I have not had anything but bad luck from them. I know they are a sponser here but I have not had anything but very poor service from them. I use Jstockard fly fishing for my supplier, their products are very reasonably priced and very fast delivery and above excellent customer service. I only buy winslows rods reel seats. Again a company that will answer your questions and very excellent to work with and a good product for the price. I have my personnal preference for guides also but that is neither here or there. My only advise there is spend the money to get a better quality product. You will find they are very easy to wrap. Recommendations for blanks on here are excellent I have used all the brands and like them
If I could give you any advise that you should take it is “TAKE YOUR TIME” Plan this rod out and visulise it before you build it. Ask people on here for advise or help. Every one who has posted on here are very very very good at building rods and know their stuff. They will definately take you down the right path and before you know it you will have friends calling and asking you to build them a rod. I know that Joe V, ol Blue, Cheffy, and several others have definately helped me a lot and are a wealth of knowledge, just to name a few. This is just my 2 cents and I hope it helps
Cheffy I remember those days a spool of thread in a coffee cup and the Boise phone book for a tensioner LOL It was all a good start.
I would HIGHLY suggest that you seek the guidance of a local builder. No matter where you are, there will be someone of caliber within an hour or two. A nice day trip to see them would sure make things easier from that point on. I would encourage you to be sure that they are fully competent, but that isn’t difficult to do. Have fun and enjoy your first build.
I am recent addition to the cadre of rod builders here on the FAOL. I am a bad amatuer at best, but I do have one bit of advise…nothing is worse that tying up a beatiful rod, only to have the rod coating come out uneven. The first couple of rods I built I follow the directions on the coating and diliegently turned the rod by hand every 15 minutes for 2 hours and smoothed out the excess. Each and every time the coating would end up uneven. If you plan to build more than just this one rod, spend the extra $50 or so and buy a wrapping motor. I don’t use mine to wrap the rod, just to cure the coating evenly. It’s the best investment I’ve made to help my rods look a bit more professional. BTW, Cabela’s has a complete wrapping kit that includes the motor, stand, rod wrapper and other goodies for around $100.
There’s some excellent advise here on this thread. There’s much more in the Features section. I’ll offer up this:
DO IT!! Jump in, both feet! Go for it! Get your winder and dryer, because, as everyone who has ever built a rod before knows, you won’t stop with one. Take your time, and enjoy every step. Practice, practice, practice! Run it through dry (NO glues!) for a few turns, before making a commitment to that step. The joy of seeing your rod, in the sunshine, catching fish, is beyond words.
Well, in just 24 hours you’ve been swamped with information and opinions, so here’s mine, complete with evidence (pictures). I’m with Betty…jump in and get started. I recently taught my first rod building class, and every student bought the Hook & Hackle Tradition II rod for their first build. To a man, everyone was pleased with the quality of components with these kits, and the ease of building. I must say I’m pleased as well, since I built the 7’-9" 3wt two days before the Michigan Fish In this year, and fished it every day, all day with no problems.
Now, for those who say kits have inferior components, here is the high quality “Limited Lifetime Warranty” blank, up-locking mortised reel seat and insert that came with the kit:
Here is the quality stripper guide and oversized hard chrome snake guides with the kit, and a pretty decent quality grip:
And lastly, as the signature states, this was the 10th rod I have built, and I’ve learned enough to this point to state that this is the most cost effective kit that will give you an excellent quality rod.
Yes, at time H&H has delivery problems, but that comes from moving lots of product out the door at affordable prices. None of the students in my class had any delivery problems getting their kits.
That’s my 2 cents, so now the choice is yours. Oh, the cost of this kit was $59.95 plus shipping.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not totally against kits. It’s just that after several years of building you seem to aquire extra components or you want the latest bells and whistles. The H and H kit looks great and a bargain for the money. My Christmas break project is a 7 pc 5wt . the reel seat is green swirl acrylic, Flor grade grip and Amer. tackle single foot guides with halograpic rings. Just something you don’t find in a kit. The other place I’ve had great service from is Jann’s netcraft. Call the tech line and talk with Kevin. He will fix you up.
The fact that you have several years of building is much different than someone building their first rod. I agree that after a few rods you start acquiring components and evolve into things like making your own grips and reel seat inserts on your newly acquired lathe. It just goes on, and on, and on, and on…LMAO. SOunds like a nice combination you’ve put together. Be sure to post some pics as you go on.
The other outfits have good starter kits, but you cant beat the H&H Tradition II for the price & quality. At the worst, Brian will end up with a rod that fishes well, and if he takes his time, will be attractive as well.
