Rod building kit?

[Kowen117]

I would like to start rod building. I make my own lures and fly so now I want to make a rod to throw the lures I make. I not trying to save money I am just trying to start a new hobby. So I am looking for all tools and such needed I have about 125 to spend on tools and found this http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0003511315280a.shtml?cmCat=perf&rid=0987654321&cm_mmc=Performics-_-CSE-_-GoogleBaseUSA-_-0003511315280a&mr:trackingCode=B75A84C8-958E-DF11-A0C8-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA Is it any good? any other suggestions?

[Crookedneck]

actually I would steer clear of that set up.  The reason is you check out the drying motor you will notice that it does not have a chuck.  And from what I have heard it isn't the easiest to make it usable.  Just read the reviews.

Check out this wrapper, the dryer comes with a friction chuck.  And the wrapper is simple and cheap.  This wrapper can be found on other sites.  But the guys at Swampland will help you alot and charge actual shipping.  Give Bill or Lance a call tell them what you want they will help you out and treat you right.  Or do like I did and build your own wrapper and then get a rod dryer (picture shows my wrapper, kinda).  American tackle makes a nice dryer too a little more $ though.

http://www.swamplandtackle.com/products.asp?cat=51

Honestly I would save your $$ and use it on components for building.  For tools razor blades, mixing cups, stir sticks, cheap brushes for epoxy, lot's of paper towel, denatured alchohol, small fly tying scissors, china pencils, masking tape.  And a burnishing tool.  Most of this stuff you can pick up at your local wally world or lumber yard. 

A must for you would be a good DVD & or book about rodbuilding. 

There are a lot of different sites that you can check out. 

Mudhole.com

Jannsnet.com

acidrod.com

utmostenterpises.com

swamplandtackle.com

I have dealt with them all and have never had an issue with any of them.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.  I would gladly help.

[Kowen117]

What kind of thread do I need?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Actually, to get started on a trial/hobby basis, you don't need any special tools at all. A cardboard box with a notch cut on each end will work as a wrapper. Run your thread through a phone book to keep tension on it. You'll want a spool of size A nylon thread. Mudhole Tackle has a good site to shop. They have several how-to videos and will answer questions. Pick up a book on rod building. Tom Kirkman's is a good one. Flexcoat's "How We Do It" is very basic but helpful and inexpensive. PM me if you'd like a hand with anything.

[Crookedneck]

There are alot of choices for thread.  Any of the rod building sites will have a lot.  I use Maderia polyneon alot, which isn't a rodbuilding thread.  It has a lot of colors,  but requires the use of color preserver, as it is coated with slicone and will play havock on your finish.

Gudebrod is an excellent thread, but it becoming more difficult to get. 

Pacbay, American tackle, sulky, and FishHawk are all other brands. 

Honestly, I would start out using a rod building thread in size A if you are building bass rods.  After you have been at it for a while you can experiment.

Mike

[Kowen117]

Thanks. But what about adhesives? What do I need to complete one or two rods?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You'll need an adhesive epoxy (Rod Bond etc) and a finish epoxy. Here's a link that may help http://www.mudhole.com/Beginners

Mike

[rubba bubba]

Here's a very good starter thread:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1170958187

[Kowen117]

Thanks for all your help I just got the money and I'm ordering tonight but what about this as a rod dryer? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360292152958&rvr_id=129324651175&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=%3F*F%3F&GUID=aa31c37d1290a0645c70e440ff680928&itemid=360292152958&ff4=263602_263622

[AndrewVT]

You don't need a rod dryer, and I would wait to buy one until you build a few rods and get the hang of the finishing process.  You can turn a rod by hand and get perfect finish results by simply rotating the rod 180 degrees every 5-10 minutes at first, with the time interval getting longer as the epoxy starts to set up.  Generally, you need to turn it for about 2-4 hours depending on the brand.  I built a few rods that came out very nice using the book and cardboard box method before building a jig out of wood similar to the Crookedneck showed.