Any rod builder out there?

[Joel Thompson]

Hi All!

I am taking my first rod building class and unfortunately I was late for my first class as I was rear ended by some teenage punk on the way there so I missed the first half hour of class. 🙁

[Zach Matthews]

Be ready to re-do the epoxy a few times.

[Bob Riggins]

I’ve built three rods.

[Mike Anderson]

Take all the time you need and think every step through.
http://www.RodBuilding.Org
Stay away from color preserver!!!
Use Rod Bond instead of 5 min epoxy. It will take longer to build but it gives you room for error whereas 5 min is very unforgiving. Once you get a few under your belt you can use the 5 min.
Experiment some. Don’t build to factory specs, this is why you build your own rod in the first place. Play around with single foot guides, and Ceramic’s on 6wt’s and up.
If you need an arbor use the new flexcoat arbors, they are head and shoulders above the rest. Most fly rods do not require arbors.
Don’t skimp on components.
ALWAYS HAVE DENATURED ALCHOHOL, A PAPER TOWEL, AND A FLAME OF SOME SORT CLOSE BY WHEN FINISHING.
Flame your wraps.
Don’t attempt to use finish when it’s under 70 degrees in the room!!! The hotter the better.
Burnish every wrap and use some good lighting to inspect them for gaps
Don’t try to make your finish last too long. When it starts getting sticky throw it away and mix more. It’s cheap as hell and this is the most important step cosmetically speaking IMO.
Take great pain when measuring out and mixing your finish!!! Many people including myself screw this one up. It has to be just right or it won’t dry.
Stay away from color preserver!!!
Fuji is top shelf and well worth the extra$$$
Stay away from color preserver!!!

[Bob Riggins]

Hey Mike, what about color preserver? ;D

I agree, color preserver is a waste.

[Andrew Barclay]

I’m no rod builder, just getting started.

[newsman]

I can’t add anything to what has aready be said, except for problems with bubbles. Don’t whip the epoxy; blend it slowly this will givr you less bubbles. Also apply it smoothly with the brush from the eyes out accross the wrapswhile rotating the rod. Don’t go thick, trying to finish your wraps in one coat does not allow for a smooth even finish. Also don’t forget to rotate your rod; if you don’t have a slow rpm motor set up to rotate your rod until dry, rotate your rod 180 degrees by hand evey hour.

[Carter Simcoe]

Just take your time and mock up the grip and reel seat mounting really well before you glue it all together.

[Carter Simcoe]

Oh, wait, your building a BIIx for your first build?

[Joel Thompson]

Shoot Carter! Now you got me all freaked out that I am going to screw up my boron IIx! Hopefully because I am doing this in a class the instructor will keep me from messing anything up too bad.
I will make sure I am patient and my coffee consumtion is low on the days of class. 🙂

Moosedog

[Carter Simcoe]

well, like Zach said, even if you do make some slight cosmetic mess ups it still doesn’t mean you won’t have a rod that will fish well and last many years.

[greg mitchell]

I’ve built 3 rods. I can’t add a lot to what has already been said. But I’ll reiterate a few things.

1. I don’t like the color preserver either. My wraps/finish looked much better without it. But just be aware that if you don’t use it – your thread color will change drastically.
2. Patience. My rods all turned out pretty good but I think they would have been even better if I had been more patient.
3. Kids and pets! Keep your work away from them. I have a story similar to Zach’s. On my first build – I had just finished the wraps and the rod was drying on our kitchen table. My teenage son came in from a date and immediately knocked it on the floor. We have 2 dogs that shed and the wraps were covered with dog hair! Had strip off all the guides and start over.

Good luck.

Greg

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