OK, here we go....

[bill]

I am thinking about trying to build myself a rod. I have the time and it looks like the tools are faily simple to make, I have a sewing machine I can use to turn the rod at a nice pace using the foot pedal. I have looked at mudhole and the rodbuilder site but have not found much info on how you really build a rod. (lot's of images of stuff people have done) Is the best place to start, buying the videos? I am planning to use cheap blanks and items at first for practice until I feel good about the new project, then move up in quality for my rods. I guess my biggest worry is the wraps. How do ya'll get them crossed and weaved so nice, is that a special type of thread? With all the videos and books out there, who makes a simple lesson plan with the details I can follow?
My plan is this:
1. Aquire the videos and books
2. Aquire and needed tools
3. Aquire the needed parts
4. Make a plan for the first rod
5. Start work on the first rod
6. Go back and see where I messed up and re-read the books and watch the videos again
7. Ask tons of questions
8. Start over
Thanks for any help, I know these type of questions get asked hundreds of times but I have not been lucky to cross any posts with the info.

[Frank]

I'm in the same boat that you are. Yesterday I purchased a couple of videos by Doc Ski. One was "custom rod building and wrapping" and the other is "Advanced Weaving Techniques". I watched the custom wrapping last night and it seemed pretty thorough. He made the whole process seem pretty simple and he pointed out some of the places where one could mess up and how to avoid them.I will try a little practice os a couple of dowels this evening.

If you are in Houston, Fishing Tackle unlimited has the videos and all kinds of other toys. I am planning on ordering most of my stuff from mudhole though.

[Kayak Cowboy]

Go down to Cut Rate and just have a look around. It helps (for me at least) to be able to see everything. They have pamphlets that cover all the basics. They even have some that will take you step by step through a few different butt wraps. Custom Rod Thread Art is a good book, but I understood it alot better after I did a butt wrap with the step by step instructions. Its not too hard to get started, and Mudhole has a bunch of inexpensive blanks to get you going.

[shrky2413]

I am new to rodbuilding myself. One thing I have been doing is re-building some of my old rods. I take ones that have the eyes messed up and stuff and strip them down. I first did two cheapo surf rods that I have. They work well they are just not very pretty. I would like to find a experienced rod builder in my are that would be willing to let me watch them work.

[patfatdaddy]

I don't know where you guys live but I am about 45 miles south of Houston. I would be more than happy to help you if I can. I have built almost all of my rod wrapping equipment(rod wrapper, thread carriage, rod supports, and weaving jig). If we can't get together just e-mail me with any questions you might have. My e-mail address is patfatdaddy@earthlink.net.

[jcasisa]

I would also recommend going to www.rodbuilding.org (http://www.rodbuilding.org) . It is a great site for learning. You will learn a lot from just doing. I recommend buying broken blanks to practice with, they are shorter and easier to turn when just starting out. Artie Herbert makes awesome videos as well, very simple and detailed instructions. The best advice though is practice and dont worry about making mistakes. I have had to cut several wraps because they looked bad when finished. Thread is cheap .. no big deal.

-John

[shrky2413]

Hey patfatdaddy check your email. I am in Hitchcock so we must be pretty close to each other. Thanks jcasisa that is basically what Ihave done so far. I have worked on some of my old rods and gotten others ay garrage sales and stuff. Like you said thread is cheap. Thanks alot guys.

[JettyJumper]

I am also new to rodbuildin. what help me was to vist a local builder and asked many questions. all the web sites have help me aot. I dont ahve all them fancy ying yangs they got for rod buildin.... just a couple of shoe boxes, books, razor blades, thread/bobbim and epoxy gets me by. good luck on your quest to be the ultimate rod builder......JJ

[Goags]

Tom Kirkman's book " Rod-Building Guide", along w/ Arties' or Docs' videos is a good way to start. It was hard for me to start slowly, because I'm in Big D w/ no local outlet for supplies. I ordered the book/videos first, than jumped in w/ a nice order to Mudhole. The shipping on small orders will eat you up.

[bill]

because if I look at the rod photo's any more over at mudhole I will be placing an order. I am amazed at the weave some of them have done. I like the idea of the garage sale for rods, heck I went to a couple of pawn shops today, thinking I could pick up some cheap rods...THEY ARE NUTS!! I would not pay what they wanted, just a few more dollars and you could get NEW ITEMS. Some of them rod and reels were in bad shape.

[shrky2413]

Man bill I know what you mean. I once saw a 12' UglyStik in a pawnshop for $79.99. I told the owner hell I can go to Academy and get the same rod new for $69.99, he still wouldn't budge. At another one a guy had a Penn 68 longbeach for $49.99 at the time you could get it at Academy for $42.99 brand new. Garage sales are good places though. A buddy of mine just got a 10' one piece fenwick surf rod for $5.00. I can't wait to get with patfatdaddy and see his equipment and hopefully pick up some training.

[RAMON]

my best advice to you would be to get the videos by Artie Hebert is in they are awesome and really help when it comes to building rods. The first one is called. How To Build Custom Rods Step by Step it really is easy to understand and work with the other thing is like others have said visit a builder in your area if you can. good luck and get ready to be seperated from you walet pretty quickly.

Ramon

[JettyJumper]

rod buildin is expensive... check this out....

Item
Qty
Description
Options
Rate
Amount
Remove
BUNAG-8J (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=1957) Fuji Alconite Blk. Frame Bridge Guide J SIZE: 8J$1.68 $3.36 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifBLAG-6J (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=1960) Fuji Alconite Blk. Frame Guide - Fly J SIZE: 6J$1.43 $8.58 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifTPST-8-5.0 (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=2039) Fuji SiC Ti. Frame Cast/Spin Top TIP TOPS: 8-5.0$6.76 $6.76 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifLNSG-10J (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=2344) Fuji SiC Concept Cast Guide - Gunsmoke J SIZE: 10J$4.84 $14.52 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifLNSG-12J (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=2344) Fuji SiC Concept Cast Guide - Gunsmoke J SIZE: 12J$5.45 $10.90 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifF-25A-250 (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=4587) Casting/Spinning Cork Foregrip - 2.5" Cork Grips: 2.5" x .250"$2.95 $8.85 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifF-4A-375 (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=4587) Casting/Spinning Cork Foregrip - 4" Cork Grips: 4" x .375"$4.95 $4.95 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifTCS-D16 (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=5893) Fuji Comfort Grip Trigger RS - 16 Silver Comfort Grip: .590" I.D. Frosted Silver$5.90 $5.90 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifU4020-8 (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=6135) U-40 Dura Gloss LS Supreme - 8 oz. U-40: 8 oz.$17.35 $17.35 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifU409-8 (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=6141) U-40 Rod Bond - 8 oz. U-40: 8 oz.$11.95 $23.90 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifIP843-G (http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl?c=210436&it=A&id=10396) Cascade RX7 7' 1pc. 8-14wt. Bass Blank Green $28.70 $28.70 http://shop.mudhole.com/images/icons/store/btn_removeFromCart.gifTotal$133.77

[bill]

at first...LOL From every rod builder I have talked to all say the same thing...it becomes a bigger hobby. I have got a feel of about $60-70 on my first rod, of course it will go up in price as more quality parts come around. The tip I got so far is , you don't have to follow "brand names" to get the same or better quality at a much better price. I went and got a few books today and started reading, very interesting and more to it than meets the eye. I will know this, even if every rod I try my hand at fails in some way, when I now see and touch a rod I will be more critical of all the fine details.

JJ.. I want to comment about the thread you have on TTMB about the guide spacement. What I have seen so far, and it makes sence to me, once you have the handle on, put a reel with line on, then you can tape (or use hot glue) the guides on the rod to get the best placement, you want them to be centered and I just don't know how else to do it without a reel. Of course I have not had contact with anyone that has a BillyStix to compair the results, so I would not know how that placement is finished.

The point is you need to find the spine. Then the placement of the guides is key to prevent off centered casts, fouled line, short casts or sluggish action. Once the reel is seated and the line on there, you could take a practice plug and make some throws, then make any adjustment on where you have the guides placed. The tape or hot glue makes it easy to adjust before you have a finished rod.