Jann’s is out of the blank and doesn’t expect delivery until 1/10/10. If I knew I could have the components in hand by 1/24, I would be all in. I should pass with blank delivery being an unknown.
Well I’ve got 3 guides wrapped. Not bad considering everyone else wants stuff before the 25th.
Don’t expect anything too crazy. I think this one is going “old School” with no bling.
Oh. if it’s OK with the rest of the swapper I may use it as part of a rod building demo I’m doing at the end of Jan. So I’ll keep the rod clean but the new owner may not be the first to give it a wiggle.
I don’t see any issues with that. Due date is Feb 1, so there is plenty of time to get it done. I get to take a furlough day this week, so I’m starting my build(s) then. One for the swap, and 1 for my youngest as a first rod.
Jann’s got blanks in sooner than expected, so I’m all in if that’s OK.
You are on the list.
I spent the first morning of my Christmas break getting started on the rod. I have the handle fitted and put together, the tiptop glued up and the ferrule wrapped.
I’ve decided that the rod will be wrapped in cobalt metallic thread. Not sure on the trim color yet.
Got all the parts in today. This is going to be a fun build.
I decided to go with candy apple red thread and silver. I was going to use purple NCP with silver, but the wife said unless I could guarantee that Betty is going to get the rod, someone else was going to be disappointed. :rolleyes: I thought it looked cool, but I guess I was wrong.
Brad
I decided on silver trim. I have the bottom section done except for the signature and trim wraps around it. Kaboom1, I’d love the purple and silver. It is my college colors. 
Another general question: Would anyone find putting some length markers on the rod useful? If so, what increments would you want marked? 10, 15, 18, 20? Or just not worry about it?
BTW, here are a couple of pictures of my rod so far. The blue looks a bit darker in hand right now, but you get the idea. (I decided to post pictures rather than have a complete surprise. Hope is doesn’t spoil the fun for the recipient)
Also, for the people that were in the last swap, please let me know who you sent your rods to and who you received them from. I will try to get everyone with new people this time.
Hey, Blue,
Kaboom1 got the one I built last time … the “Ear-piercer”!:rolleyes:
Betty
You are half right betty…I got your rod, but the Ear Piercer is the 5 foot Tadpole I made for myself. I will have it with me at the Fish In…you will need a crash helmet to cast it 
Brad
Well, I can finally admit to having gotten my feet wet. Reel seat and handle are in place. Now to start wrapping.
Greg - as for your question, a scale/ruler wouldn’t really matter to me. I usually carry something in my bag.
I just had something brought to my attention. I fully intended to be more specific about being able to add or delete a guide. As it happened, I only included 8 guides on the order form and most people will want more than 8 on their rod. If you need to add one, feel free to do so. Sorry for the confusion.
I found a spacing that seems to work with the fiberglass rod and 8 guides. I used a spacing formula of:
(4) + (4+X) + (4+2X)+ (4+3X)+ (4+4X)+ (4+5X)+ (4+6X)+ (4+7X) = 67 (the location of my stripping guide from the tip)
This gives us
32 + 28X = 67
28X = 35
X = 35/28 = 1 1/4 inches
Put 1 1/4 into the formula above, and I got the following locations for my guides:
4
9 1/4
15 3/4
23 1/2
32 1/2
42 3/4
54 1/4
67
I did a static test on the rod and the line follows the rod nicely. I have an extra guide, but don’t think I’ll use it.
If you want to adjust the guides slightly to the tip, just adjust the X value down a slight bit. Going from 1 1/4 to 1 will move guide number 8 up 7 inches on the blank to a position of 60 from the tip, putting more guides up on the tip. Of course, you are free to add a guide or 2 or adjust the spacing as you see best.
Progress…
Anyone care to critique? Not bad for a first attempt at making a rod…
Parts:
Reel seat in place:
Wife came to see what I was up to:
Now the handle:
First attempt at wrapping a guide:
Still a little work to do on that wrap I think.
John R
Hey John the wrap looks very good. Just two more turns of the thread and it would be perfect. For a first time it looks good. Heck looks good for a second or third time even a fourth. Keep it up buddy
Just came up from the Dungeon. I got all the wraps done and will be putting on the first coat of finish this weekend. I’ll keep you posted.
Brad
Looking good, John. I agree on adding another couple of turns to completely cover the foot, but the rest of the wrap look very good for a first time.
Glad to hear everyone is progressing.
Built and ready for thread finish. Any particular inscription we need to put on the swap rods?