Basic Rod Building Questions

[hoosierbass07]

  I stumbled upon a rod building site last (Mudhole) and ordered their free catalog.  Wow, their catalog is very nice and it also make rod building look like fun and not too hard.   

 

 I have some questions - I've never made a rod before.  If I would it would be a spinning rod for bass fishing.  Can someone who has no expericne with rod building actually construct a decent looking and 

functional rod that will stay together and not fall apart for a few seasons of bass fishing?  How hard is it to make a decent spinning rod?  

 

 Also, can I get some recommendations of any good books or DVDs on rod builing?  I'm a complete newbie and no nothing about it accept for what I've seen in the Mudhole catalog.  I would like a book or DVD that is 

very thorough and easy to understand.  

 

 How long does it take for some new to rod building to build their first spinning rod?  

 

 Thanks!  

[nitrobalddude]

Glad you asked this, I have been thinking about building my own rods too. Now, I'll wait for a few replys to your questions to assist me.

[Boomer_bassin]

I plan on building a rod sometime before spring gets here, mudhole has a DVD that comes with most of, if not all of their kits. You can also watch their video series on YouTube for a quick intro into the steps needed, it doesn't look to troublesome if you start with a basic build.

[weedsnager1]

There's a lot of videos on youtube on rod building, it's a fun hobby to pass the time in the winter and it's pretty simple

[.RM.]

hoosierbass07,

 

Visit this board for proper question answers
RodBuilding.org  - http://rodbuilding.org/list.php?2

 

This is the starters bible - Rod Building Guide/by Tom Kirkman  Owns the RodBuilding.org site......
http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/Rod-Building-Books/Rod-Building-Guide-Fly-Cast-Spin

 

As a custom builder, I would advise that you purchase the book before hand and deep read all of it...

Visit the website to get the correct answers to any and all of your question on rod building...

 

Good Luck & Tight Lines! 

[Munkin]

http://www.rodbuilding.org/library/spinningNGC.pdf

 

This is how you space the guides from the man himself. Everything else the Mudhole youtube videos will get you started for now. I have about 5 custom rods in different stages of completion in my dinning room. Wrapping guides is the hardest thing for me and I do not like the way they have turned out. When I have some free time I will give it another try but will most likely just have someone else wrap them.

 

Allen

[weedsnager1]

What are you having problems with the guide wrapping? Have you watched any videos on guide wrapping, it's pretty easy to do.

[hoosierbass07]

 I  have the Mudhole catalog and also Janns Netcraft catalog.  They have rod blanks listed for spinning and baitcasting and fly fishing.  Can you take a baitcasting blank and make a spinning rod out of it or must you pick spinning blanks for spinning reels only?  I ask because I know medium baitcasting rods tend be a little heavier than medium spinning rods.  I would like to make me a spinning rod that is medium but matches the medium of the baitcasting rod.  

[Jrob78]

The blank doesn't know what kind of rod it is supposed to be.  As long as you match the blank specifics to what you want it to do, you will be fine.  Also, there are no standards for powers or actions.  Use the line and lure weights to help you decide what a blank will be best used for.  If you find a blank you like, it can be built as casting or spinning.

[Deleted account]

Rod building is easy, and straight forward. Like anything else involving craftmanship, some folks will be better than others, and some should just walk away. There is a lot of nonsense talk about it. Some want to make it seem like you need some secret illuminaty knowledge, or a degree in astrophysics. You can purchase all the components to make a decent rod for very little money, and you can do it without a wrapper, or other special gear. I suggest you start with replacing guides on rods that aren't your favorites, and work from there. gluing the handle components is a lot like wood working. As far as spacing guides, I tape (masking) them to the blank and run line through and bend it till I'm happy. One last thing, just because a blank starts out a certain length, doesn't mean it needs to end up being a rod that length (+ or -). I don't build rods, but I'm really particular with how they feel in my hand. A good rod builder who can build what I ask, and keep his opinions to himself (you'd be surprised how many can't or won't) is worth his weight in gold. As far as not being happy with guide wraps, its either a new eyeglass prescription thing, or thinner thread (and more practice).

[Munkin]

What are you having problems with the guide wrapping? Have you watched any videos on guide wrapping, it's pretty easy to do.

 

Tying off the thread when I am done with a guide is my problem.

 

Allen

[weedsnager1]

First off, watch this video.

Then practice on a rod, that doesn't even have a guide on it

[Crookedneck]

Practice before spending money & time if you don't like it. Take an old rod strip the guides off rewrap them and finish it up. A couple important hints

1.) Not all thread is intended for rod building. Start with nylon rod building thread.

2.) When applying finish several thin coats are better than one lumpy wavy thick coat.