Well, I can’t wait any longer. Ron keeps sending me emails and they keep getting more tempting to buy. I didn’t want to use the mastercard, but, too late. Now I must buy and build haha.
So, as far as a wrapping stand and dryer etc, I’m going to build my own. It looks simple enough, even for my terrible craftmenship:)
But, what else will need. Thread, tools, epoxy etc. And what namebrands do you guys and gals trust the most?
One other question, how good of quality are Cabelas blanks? I want to buy Forcast, but I’ve seen some Cabelas’ that l might purchase as well.
How do I choose which size guides to go with? How do I tell what bore grip my blank will take? Hmm, what size threads will I need?
I have sweveral of the Cabela’s 5pc Stowaway rods, they are great rods, especially for the low price. I think I bought the blanks for around $30 on sale. While the fit and finish are not as good as I wpuld expect on a $300 blank they fish as well or better than one of my $600 rods.
I had to do a little fine tuning on the fit of the ferrules ( a little light sanding) and I added plugs to close the male ferrule ends. They also have a rather garish looking logo that couldn’t be removed.
Let’s start with a question: What did you buy from Ron? A blank, a kit, a grab bag of goodies??? From that we can determine what you NEED, then you can add some WANTs to that if you like.
I didn’t buy anything from Ron, yet. Because I’m having to have everything shipped to Canada, I wanted to have as little shipments as possible. But, I’ll be avoiding the kits. I’ve picked out 3 Forcast blanks sofar. 2, 4 and a 9 wt. I’m going to build the 2 wt first.
I know I’m going to need guides, tip tops, reel seats, epoxies, everything mentioned in the link above. Most of the tools I can get at my locale hardware store. But I’d like to order everything from Ron, or perhaps even cabelas for what I can’t get from Ron, since Cabelas adds in the duty to the order. Don’t ask me why, but I love it. Maybe because I hate the “suprise” of duty cost when it arrives.
But a couple things I don’t know is what bore of reel seat for my blanks, and what size guides. I believe the link above told me the guides for the 4 and 9 wt. But I don’t know what size or how many guides for the 2 wt, it’s a 6’6" 2 piece.
The other question is how many epoxies will I need? And can I get everything from Ron? I’d like buy Gudebrod, since they seem to be a very trusted brand. Can I buy the epoxy in a bulk cantainers and mix it myself, using syringes? I realize people will say buy small packets in case I don’t like rod building. But that won’t be the case. I like rods, and I like fishing, and I like to save money. And I like being proud of things I’ve made on my own. So I don’t think it’ll be the case.
I told Ron I would send him out an email tonight asking some questions. I might send him this and see what his opinion is as well. All help it much appreciated. I prefer to do it right or not do it at all:) So I’d like to know everything I can before I start it. As, right now the whole process I must admit is a little intimidating.
If you buy a complete rod building kit, the kit comes with enough thread and epoxy to build a couple more rods. The kit comes with guides, grip, and reel seat so it takes the guess work out of it for your first rod. You may want to choose those things yourself as your knowledge grows. You will save money by buying a complete kit, also. Hook and Hackle even has a kit that comes with a video, which amongst other things shows how to get your wraps started, and I recommend that kit. I started with that kit and forwarded the video to another FAOLer when I was done with it. You can use a fly tying bobbin and a cardboard box to hold the thread and your thumbnail for a thread packer. A knitting needle works well for a burnisher. A single edge razor blade and a butane lighter, masking tape. That’s about it.
Good luck!
Greg
PS: If you can make it to the fly fishing show to watch professional rodbuilding you will pick up some techniques.
I agree with Greg F that kits are the most cost effective way to get into rod building. Once you learn what you’re doing, then you can start putting together " custom" packages with unique components. You probably don’t even know what questions to ask yet, so there’s no need to complicate your learning process at this point.
I have bought a number of kits from H&H (Forecast & Pacific Bay), and you get everything you need to build the rod. My latest rod was their new Pacific Bay kit private labeled for H&H, using the Pac Bay Tradition II med-fast to fast 4-piece blanks. I built the 7’-6" 3wt 4-piece and it came out terrific. JC cast it at the Michigan Fish-In (along with several other people), and gave it his approval. Not everyone’s rods met with his approval, and he doesn’t pull any punches when you ask for his opinion. Cost for that rod kit was $64.95 plus shipping. I suggest you consider these kits because of their affordability and good looks. They are less expensive than the Forecast kits by about $20, so you’re getting a good value. Here’s the link for those rods: http://www.mailordercentral.com/hookhac … asp?dept=7 and here’s what it looks like using light brown thread on the charcoal blank:
The Pac Bay and Forecast blanks both look great with Gudebrod Candy Apple Red or Garnet wraps, with gold or silver tipping. The Forecast kits come with blue thread and the Pac Bay have black (BORING!) & silver thread with them. Find some colors you like and order them at the same time.
That’s my 2 cents for now, as I have to get back to writing some bids. I’ll try to post more later.
Joe
Oh, I almost forgot. The Pac Bay kits come with just enough glues to build one rod. A forecast kit comes with enough epoxy and thread sealer to do at least four rods. I ordered future Forecast kits without glues and saved a few bucks after the first one.
If I want to dress up a Rainshadow kit fron H&H I just add Gudbrod thread or single foot guides to the standard kit. I end up with spare parts, but it is still cheaper than ordering all the parts separately. In the long run I have ended up with almost enough spare parts to build a rod with.
Ok. Well you guys are the pros. I’ll pick up a kit or three. Maybe some thread too. I agree, you guys made some good points. Start with the kits and go from there:)
Thanks a lot for the help, and your opinions.
Shane
