Guide calculations worksheet for rod builders

[ejtaylor822]

Hey,

Noticed on some other forums their have been a lot of questions in regards to guide layout and positions. For a couple of years now have been using a workbook I created based upon a formula that Dale Clemens used. Found it after I was struggling with a layout for my first surf rod.

You enter the number of guides, length of the blank, distance of the first guide from the tip-top and distance of the butt-guide from the butt. The workbook will then give the distance to all guides from the tip-top.

I use this for the initial layout *ONLY*. Following the layout I perform a static test then test cast for final position. The workbook is just a starting point and should be used as such. It is not for determining final placement.

Here are the downloads. The first is for Excel 2007 and the second is for '97-2003.

http://weavercraftfishing.com/DwnldFiles/GuideCalcs_2007_ejt010910v011.xls

http://weavercraftfishing.com/DwnldFiles/GuideCalcs_97-2003_ejt010910v011.xlsx

Wanted to pass if anyone is interested. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Thanks,

Eddie

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Hey,

Noticed on some other forums their have been a lot of questions in regards to guide layout and positions. For a couple of years now have been using a workbook I created based upon a formula that Dale Clemens used. Found it after I was struggling with a layout for my first surf rod.

You enter the number of guides, length of the blank, distance of the first guide from the tip-top and distance of the butt-guide from the butt. The workbook will then give the distance to all guides from the tip-top.

I use this for the initial layout *ONLY*. Following the layout I perform a static test then test cast for final position. The workbook is just a starting point and should be used as such. It is not for determining final placement.

Here are the downloads. The first is for Excel 2007 and the second is for '97-2003.

http://weavercraftfishing.com/DwnldFiles/GuideCalcs_2007_ejt010910v011.xls

http://weavercraftfishing.com/DwnldFiles/GuideCalcs_97-2003_ejt010910v011.xlsx

Wanted to pass if anyone is interested. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Thanks,

Eddie

Eddie, thanks for sharing. How do you derive the proper distance for first and butt guides?

[ejtaylor822]

Eddie, thanks for sharing. How do you derive the proper distance for first and butt guides?

Hey - static deflection test and taking the rod outside and throwing is how I determine "proper" location for the guides. I use the calculations worksheet to get started, but for final locations - static deflection and casting tests.

Now, for casting rods I start out with the worksheet for the initial layout. I start the first guide about 3" from the tip-top. The butt guide I locate about 20" from the reel. I have the grips and reel seat installed, attach the reel and measure out 20", then back to the butt for the butt to butt-guide dimension.

I layout the guides on the blank from the calculations sheet based upon the number of guides, length of the rod and dimensions I have for the last tip and butt guides. I do mostly concept configuration with the first couple of guides being 2x foot reduction guides then same size running single foot fly guides to the tip - usually #5 or #6. I say this because the reduction guide sizes and locations are determined during layout with the reel and during deflection testing. I like to have my butt guide pretty far out there for most applications, but, do not want the line touching the blank under load and providing a straight travel path to the running guides.

For spinning rods, I use the 27x method (27x the dia. of the spinning reel for the choke guide) then work my way back to determine height and location for the reduction guides. I will sometimes use the worksheet to layout the running guides based upon the final location of the butt guide. I then perform a deflection test, adjust the guides then take outside and throw.

Hope that helps and makes some sense,

Eddie

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Thanks for the reply. I had been using published charts as starting points but I like your approach.

[the crab]

Great thread.  I was just wondering about this and planned researching it tonight.  You just saved me a lot of reading/searching time.

[reo]

For spinning rods this has worked best for me:

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

[RobE]

Hey guys - if anyone plans a build on a Rainshadow or Forecast blank, Batson has a really cool section in thier Tech Forum called 'Recipeits'. A good starting point for a lot of other brands, too, I'm sure.