Rod Building

[scotty18]

I'm thinking about getting it building my own rods. Not because of the cost, but more for the satisfaction of using stuff you built your self. I'm taking a class though community ed. next week. On sunday I stopped at Thorne Bros. and basically got a class there too. Any help would be great. Would anyone recondmend buying the power wrappers first or going the hand wrap route first? Also if I do invest money in buying the good equipment first, after I get the skills needed down, is there a market out there for hand built rods? My thinking is recouping my investment in equipment.

Thanks, Scotty

[rodsbyengel]

Scotty, I have been building rods for 20+ years. As a hobby it can be very gratifying. As a business it would be very difficult to feed a family. Beware though it is very addicting. Starting out, a handwrapper is all you need and will serve you just fine for many years. If it is something you enjoy then maybe investing in better equipment would be the thing to do. If I can help in any way please feel free to get in touch with me and I will do what I can. Enjoy yourself and just have fun doing it. Rod [email protected]

[upnorth]

Scotty
I have been building my own rods for quite while now. I 2nd the going with a hand wrapper, at least if you are gonna do it for a hobby. You can even make a couple of simple of stands to lay the rod in and put the thread in a coffee cup and use a book for tension. It is simple and it does work. The one thing you really should try to get ahold of is drying motor, makes doing the finishing much easier, the finish takes several hours to setup and not sag.

You can go to mudhole.com and on the left side click on rodbuilding 101 and it has some instructional stuff in there.

I only do rods for myself and a few family members so I am really just a hobbyist with this but it is fun and Rod is right it can get addicting.

[scotty18]

Thanks guys, I have been reading quite a bit on rod building, so I think I have a pretty good idea on what I'm getting into.
I was fine with the idea of starting out with hand wrapping until I walked into Thorne Bros. Big Mistake! The guy building rods that day gave me the "TOUR". After seeing all that equipment I knew 2 things. 1. I want to give rod building a try. 2. I got to get all the best stuff right away!
Then reality set in. I started pricing power equipment. WOW! I think I can do a good job using hand equipment. Now do either of you guys use cork rings? I would like to but I'm a little worryied about shaping the handle. I think I can do it with files and sand paper. I really just want to make rods for me and my family. I really like the feeling you get when you use something you made yourself.

Thanks again. I'm sure I'll have more questions. Scotty

[upnorth]

Cork rings work and what you described will work to shape them. But I would suggest using preformed cork handles and maybe modify them with a few extra rings to get exactly what you want. Shaping the hole handle from rings will get to be kinda hard to keep things going straight if you know what I mean.

[rodsbyengel]

I agree with upnorth on the cork issue. The only time I use rings is if a customer wants the top of the line cork. High grade flor cork is not available is preformed grips except for fly rod applications. If you are going to use rings a lathe of some fashion is a must to keep everything concentric. Upnorth-shoot me an e-mail with your tel#. I am located in the north also and I like to keep in touch with other builders in the area. Scotty-just have fun. Rod

[Canuck]

This thread could be dangerous. I am always looking for new/different/better rods and have always thought why can't I find what I want, maybe I should just make them. BUT where does one start.

I really want a cat rod but am picky. The rod should be 9'6" to 10' with the end 2' very sensitative and lots of backbone for the remainder yet I want it to have good flex. PICKY I know, but.

[rmh2o]

Scotty18 where are you taking the class at and how much does it cost

[scotty18]

rmh2o, The class is thru Big Lake Community ed. Tuesday and thursday night next week, at the high school 6:30 to 9:30. Cost was $16 for the class and rod kits start at $45.
Ok another ? Do I need a cork ring clamp if I use pre made handles? What is the proper procidure for using pre made handles?

Thanks,Scotty

[rodsbyengel]

No, you don't need a clamp if you use a premade cork grip. Just ream the grip to the necessary size to fit the blank.Rod

[NotoriousBLM]

I use split grips on a lot of rods I build. When you are only shaping 3 or 4" of cork(or less), its really easy. I use a length of threaded rod and just clamp a drill to my work bench and use drywall saning pads to allow the cork to exit without building up. Pretty cheap and easy to use this type of "lathe". Be sure to save your cork dust. Mix it with a little Flexcoat and fill in your butt hole(on your rod).

I'm not a wood worker, but last year I picked up a few hand turned walnut grips on ebay. They were very similar to Red Barn grips- might have been since I think they went out of business and everything was sold due to a divorce?? The wood grips are heavy, but they look really good!

Good luck!

[upnorth]

Canuck, try going to mudhole.com and browse through the rodbuilding 101. That should give you an idea of how it is done. I started this hobby when a guy I worked with gave me a small brochure with a few simple instructions on it. I went out and bought a rod blank and the necessary parts and started trying to do what was in the brochure. That 1st one took forever, but it turned out pretty good, I am still using that rod and that was about 20 years ago.

You can always post ?s here and I am sure you will get answers to your questions.

[Surface Tension]

Canuck, What you described is the action of a drop shot rod. I don't know if you'll find that in a blank with that length.

[rmh2o]

scotty18 can a person still sign up for the class and who would I contact.I also live near elk river.Thanks

[scotty18]

Hi guys, I think I figured about applying the pre made grips. Ok I know how to spline the rod, but when I find the spline, if I were buliding a spinning rod, would I attatch the guides along the spline?
I've been to some websites reading up on this topic, but I think it just confused me more.

Scotty

[scotty18]

rmh2o, go to www.biglakece.com That's were I sighned up.

Scotty

[Surface Tension]

The spine is the strong side or outside of the arc. For a spinning rod your guides will go on the opposite side of the spine inside the arc.

[Coach Dog]

Where doew one get rod blanks? And what brand rod blanks are available? I would like to get into this also and hope there are some high quality blanks like St. Croix or Fenwick.

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GIT-R-Done!

[Surface Tension]

Coach Dog, Cabelas carries them. Type in rod blanks on any search engine and you'll find every thing you could every want.

[rodsbyengel]

Blanks are available from many sources. Just search on rodbuilding and you will find where to go. Fenwick and Shakespeare are not available in blank form but there are many excellent ones that are. St. Croix,Loomis,Rogue, Rainshadow, Tiger Eye,Pac Bay just to name a few. Rod

[scotty18]

rmh2o, will you be attending the class tonight?

Scotty

[Corey Bechtold]

I'll be at the Big Lake HS tonight for the class hopefully. I can't make up my mind what kind of rod to make. See you guys there.

[scotty18]

Corey and rmh, Kinda cool tonight! It's easier than I thought it would be. See ya on thursday.

Scotty

[Rick]

I do have to say something about Rods by Engel.

He builds very high quality rods. He built a Laker Rod for ice fishing with a Roberts wrap. It is one of my prized posessions now.

If you need help or advice, he knows his stuff. If you need a custom rod, he's the guy to go to.

[rmh2o]

Nice to meet you guys see ya on thursday

[Scoot]

Thanks for the nice plug for my dad, Rick. I'm glad that laker rod meets your specs. I got to wield it in his rod shop before he sent it out to you- pretty cool. I'd imagine you can feel a laker fart near it- very sensitive!

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Scoot

So I got dat goin’ for me… which is nice.