Rod building
- This topic has 15 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated Dec 26, 2011 at 11:00 am by
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Looking to build a rod as a winter project this year. Not that I’ll have a ton of time, but it’s something I’d like to try. I’ve been reading up on the subject, watching videos, etc. I think I can handle it…
Question is what blank should I start with? There’s a myriad of options. I’d love to build a Sage or the like but I don’t want to screw up a 400 dollar rod (I’d have to have 400 bucks to spend first that is) on my first attempt. Looking to build a 6 wt 4 piece, mostly for streamer tossing.
So, what would a good rod be to start with. I’ve seen a lot of IM6 rods on ebay. Don’t know anything about them. Got a new catalog from Hook & Hackle with some nice looking rods in it, and on their website. The “Rainshadow” looks good, and the price is right for me just starting out. I’m open to suggestions.
Any advantages to a kit? I’d like to be able to choose components so I think with a kit that option isn’t available necessarily.
Not that I know much about building rods, but the components from the one I built came from here:
http://www.batsonenterprises.com/fly-blanks
Here is another popular and well-respected source:
You will learn a lot building your first rod and will have some confidence after two or three. FWIW, I wouldn’t spend “too much” on your first rod. My first rod fishes fine but it is not a work of beauty.
Nothing wrong with a kit. However, I suspect that you could
Gary, thanks for the input. Just what I figured from a “kit”. I’m sure some are better than others, but I have been eyeing a few nice looking reel seats that I’d like to use.
Aaron, thanks for the links! I’ve been to mudhole a while back but not batson. Much appreciated
The rainshadow blanks are really pretty decent. Have built up several. Spend some money on a good reel seat and the rod will come out real slick. I’ve built about 8 rods or so and honestly don’t see myself doing any more. But if you like a hands on project it can be fun.
About 15 years ago I bought a barrel full of Sage LL “Blem” Blanks and built them up over the years, gave half of them away or sold them off.
First let me give you some reference sites that contain a lot of good information. A series of articles by the late Al Campbell is probably the best start to finish rod building piece written.
http://flyanglersonline.com/begin/graphite/
A web site by Tom Kirkman is a good source of a lot of information and questions usually get answered pretty quickly. This site also has links to a lot of good suppliers.
http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2
This is a collection of articles and tips on rod building. Some very good information on specific aspects of rod building.
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/rodbuilding/tips/archive.php
Mudhole.com and Batson Enterprises site both have good articles and videos on rod building.
The first question you need to answer is kit vs custom build. Kits are nice but I don’t like them. You will learn a lot more by designing the build yourself to your taste and needs. This will force you to learn more about specific components and how it all fits together. I would recommend finding a checklist so you don’t leave anything out. Also, try to deal with one supplier. This will save you money on shipping, but you can also call the supplier and go over your list to make sure you have everything.
Next, you need to sellect a blank. Most of my builds have been on Batson Rainshadow blanks. I don’t like their Forecast (RX6) blanks, but their RX7 and RX8 blanks are great for the price. The RX7 is medium fast while the RX8 is very fast (and more expensive). I also build a lot of 3 and 4 wt rods on Sevier Tiger Eye blanks, but I don’t like them in higher line weights. Some other options I would recommend are American Tackle Matrix blanks and Pac Bay Quickline blanks.
I use single foot wire running guides on all my rods 8wt and lower. My preference is TiCH finish, but chrome or black finish is cheaper. The stripping guides are usually two foot casting guides. For a 6wt, I like the A7 reel seat. I would get an aluminium seat unless you are building a high end rod. I like flush mounts because I turn my own grips, but you can get it with a recessed mount, just make sure you get the right grip.
I could go on, but my best advice is to take you time and make sure every step is done right. The place that is easiest to mess up is applying finish to the wraps. I had trouble with this until I purchased a drying motor to keep the rod turning while the finish is drying. You can hand turn the blank, but you are more likely to get lumps in the finish.
Thumb up for the batson blanks. With a rx7 or rx8 blank you will have a very good blank for a good price.
Be carefull with buying kits. I build a z-axis for someone and the components really did not complement the high level blank. He bought the kit and then came too me for the build, the first and last time i build a rod that way.
I have read some very good reviews of the Sevier Tiger Eye blanks. They aren’t expensive blanks at all.
I just don’t think you can go wrong by picking up an old inexpensive rod and refurbishing the thing.
I’ve reworked two of the 5/6 wt Scientific Anglers starter rods that I bought for 20 bucks a piece. They aren’t half bad in my honest opinion.
I was also given 2 bamboo fly rods recently. Working with the cheapo graphite rods allowed me to get enough experience under my belt that I felt comfortable wrapping my guides with silk and sinking some money into some quality hardware.
Thank goodness the rods seem to look better each time I build a rod.
Bob- great info, thank you very much.
Lots of good stuff to absorb guys. Much appreciated!!
What’s the timeframe on doing one of these? From what I’ve seen it appears that a weekend would be sufficient for putting one together? My free time is going to be very sparse starting in a couple of weeks and I’ll only be able to work on a rod on the weekends.
Lots of options, time to start picking!
The quickest I have done one is 3 days for a rod I needed right away. Most of the time I take about 3 weeks to a month because I don’t have big blocks of time to work on it. You can pretty much wrap guides as you have time and set the rod aside until you finish wrapping. Just make sure it gets back in the plastic sleeve the blank came in so the wraps do not collect dust. On the first rod, it is better to take your time and get the wraps right. I hand wrap the rod using a couple of fly tying bobins and a rack I built.
The two steps that you actually need some time for are turning the grip (which you are probably not going to do) and applying finish to the wraps (particularly if you are hand turning it while the finish dries). You are much better off with a drying motor to constantly turn the rod as it dries, but for one rod, it’s not worth it.
Building your first rod can be a trying experience and will set the tone for your future involvement in the craft.
I’m in no hurry. I’ll be limited on time shortly. I’m starting a new career as a wildlife officer here in OH and the academy will be for 6 months, thus sucking up my build time. I’d like to get a start on it at least before I leave. So, no hurry if not. I’ll have weekends to plink away at it for the spring, or for the fall if I (gasp!) can’t get out this spring.
Bob- I may turn my own grip. Like Dave mentioned, I’m pretty handy. I don’t own a lathe but have access to one. I may skip building the reel seat until I get this one done, and I may skip building the grip too just to save time. Of course I’ll probably kick myself later…Nice selection of beer by the way.
I’ll probably build or buy a rod dryer. They’re pretty inexpensive, and for making life easier it’s worth the added expense. I plan to build another rod or two in the future too (assuming I build this one correctly first).
Thanks again, all.
Turning youre own grips is a good idea. Most of the “flor” grade rings you can buy all over the internet will give you a better result than a prefab grip. Most prefab grips have lots of pits and cracks filled with woodfiller, this is not easely recognised from a picture. If you have acces to a localshop who sells them this will be less off a problem offcourse, still sorting youre own rings will give the best result. Downside is that the learning curve is a bit steeper.
I now build a rod in ten hours (excl drying hours). My first was a set of three. I got two friends who wanted the same rod that i was planning to build. I offerd them to build them the rods for cost price so i had a good learning project and they had a good quality rod for a way low price. Id did cost me some. The first two grips i had to toss because off poor cork someone sold me.
Beware! Rodbuilding is like flyfishing and tying, very very addictive
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