First Rod Build

[MARSH MASTER]

Well I did and I can't be more excited about it. I ordered the 7' medium fast mudhole spinnig split grip rod kit in black. When everything came in a tornado couldn't pull me away from the table. I laid everything out, went over all the steps, built my reamer and I was off. I started by spinnig the rod then reaming the grips. I couldn't step away from it even to eat. I filled all my guides then wrapped them with a charcoal colored thread. All the wrap's were nice and tight and looked realy well. I finally finished the wrap's this morning so I figured I should post while they're drying.

It's just a basic build but I want to try different things so I can add to it. well heres some pics.

[flechero]

Oh man, you are in for it now...  Once I built that first rod- no factory rod was good enough.  And off I went replacing every rod I used.  And then had a blowout sale in the flea market section of the forum.   ...lol

Looks good as far as I can tell, I bet it fishes better than any factory rod you have.    Does your camera have a macro setting?  That's how you can get clear close ups.  

Welcome to you new winter sport!   ;D  (it becomes full time when the weather is bad!)

[umahunter]

dang it you just added another thing i wanna learn how to do

[cidgrad96]

Rock on! It's addictive...

[Topwater2]

Yep you are in for it now, I started a couple years back and now I've replaced all my rods and added more.  There is nothing better than going out and slaying them on a rod you built, now build a bait and catch some fish and true satifaction will overcome you.  

[ejtaylor822]

That looks good!  Keep up the good work!

Eddie

[ChiCityBasser]

Looks good

[NewAngler]

looks better than my sweet shakespere telescopic travel rod ive got! lol. nicely done.

[kbkindle]

i also just started to build from blanks   your guide thread winding look great   mine dont have a couple question for you to answer if you would be so kind. when every thing is ready to start thread  do you start the winding from the end of guide or the center and work out  how many wraps of thread do you put over the guide foot.  on all the guides from factory there is a place on the end wrap with the flexcoat that is very thin or looks like a sloping ramp toward the thread  how do you get this so perfect.  i think ia'm putting to much yhread on rod and it makes the winding look bulkey

[cidgrad96]

i also just started to build from blanks your guide thread winding look great mine dont have a couple question for you to answer if you would be so kind. when every thing is ready to start thread do you start the winding from the end of guide or the center and work out how many wraps of thread do you put over the guide foot. on all the guides from factory there is a place on the end wrap with the flexcoat that is very thin or looks like a sloping ramp toward the thread how do you get this so perfect. i think ia'm putting to much yhread on rod and it makes the winding look bulkey

Start from the end opposite the guide ring. Usually easier to do a few wraps on the blank then have it climb up the guide foot.

One layer of wraps, pushed together (packed) to make it solid coverage is all you need. Heavy salt rods require an underwrap to protect the blank. Bass rods, only a wrap on top of the guide foot is needed.

To get an easy edge until you get comfortable with your brush or spatula when applying finish, you can wrap a piece of tape at each end and remove and you will havea perfect edge. Or you can apply the finish, wet a coffee filter with a little dentaured alcohol and wipe off excess from the edge to make a nice sharp line. Personally I use a hand rest and only use my brush while the rod turns at about 100 rpm in the lathe, but I have lots of practice and the rod turning like that makes it easy to get a sharp edge (but I still occasionally have to clean up an edge). Use a coffee filter because it doesn't shed fibers like paper towels do.

Hope this helps.