Getting Into Custom Rod Building

[Ron1697]

Hey all, I am looking into getting into building my own rods. I like the idea that I can make the exact rod I want.

 

Just looking for some tips on where to start as in what would be the cheapest starter setup (excluding rod components) to be able to build a rod. 

 

Thanks in advance!

[MALTESE FALCON]

Mudhole is a good place to start looking. I haven't built any rods yet, but a few of my friends do, and they only deal with Mudhole. Janns Netcraft also sells what you will need.

 

Falcon

 

[SDoolittle]

On ‎3‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 3:08 PM, MALTESE FALCON said:

Mudhole is a good place to start looking.

X2

[MickD]

I agree that Mudhole is a good place to start, not only their products, but their techniques and tips videos, too.  When you have questions on how to do something, also consult the very good Flex Coat videos (search for "Flex Coat videos" I suggest you do not start with an expensive blank.  You will get better with every build, and you will make mistakes.  Better to start with something reasonably priced.  There are tons of reasonably priced very good blanks out there.  Mudhole offers "turnkey" kits which include a simple tool set, so that seems to make sense as a starter.

 

Once you build a few rods you will develop a style that you like and will expand into doing more than assembling ready-made components.  One can turn cork on a drill press with a simple setup that costs almost nothing, for example.  I turn almost all my cork and some other easy-to-turn materials which allows me to get a larger variety of looks and functions beyond the components available for sale.  

 

There are also a couple other good rodbuilding forums out there which offer good instructive information.

[Ron1697]

Thanks everyone for the information! I appreciate it!

[bish0p]

RodBuilding.org is a good place to start.

[Angry John]

The mhx kits are a good place to start.  Mud hole is were I got my stuff.  Wrapping guides takes a ton of patients.  

[Batson]

Get Bit Outdoors has lots of great kits as well. 

Though most rod building dealers will put something together for you as well for similar pricing.

 

All you need is a hand wrapper (you can make one out out of a box if you want to keep it super cheap), rod bond (for grips) and finish coat for guides, plus some thread which you can run under a phone book for "tension", then brushes and a burnishing tool (Popsicle sticks work). Though I would recommend getting a dryer as it would be annoying to turn the rod with finish coat every 10 or so minutes for a couple hours.

 

Rather than building a cheap rod, I often say practice on an old factory rod or old broken rod. Strip off the guides and practice and rewrap. Wrapping and guide placement is the biggest learning curve to learn.

 

 

[.ghoti.]

Good advice from Batson. Pick up a couple old rods from a flea market or garage sale. Strip the guides and practice wrapping and finishing. Thread and epoxy are the hardest skills to master.

[grub_man]

You have plenty of options.  Spending time on the rodbuilding.org forum is the best thing you can do.  For a short quick read, pick up a copy of Tom Kirkman's "Rod Building Guide."  There are newer guide models than those featured in the book, but everything else is very sound.  In a couple of bathroom visits, you can take in the whole book and have a solid baseline understanding of what you need to do.

 

Batson makes many incredible blanks, many of which are in my personal arsenal, as well as fantastic guides.

 

When it comes to wrapping jigs, it doesn't take much, but the CRB hand wrapper from Mud Hole is worth a solid look.  I just picked one up at the ICRBE last month.  After 10 years of using the jig I build from cheap lumber and some miscellaneous hardware, I wanted something with aluminum track.  I went with the CRB hand wrapper with a track (the standalone wrapper is very nice and only costs a few $ more than my original).

 

You can make this as cheap or expensive as you would like.  If you need to justify things to the other half, show her a Renzetti wrapper and a CTS blank price list.  Tell her this is what you want, and then show here what you are going to buy and say, but I'm willing to settle for this. ;-)

[Ron1697]

Thanks again everyone for the comments!

[tfs8271]

I too am looking at taking up the hobby. Old rods sounds like a great place to hone your skills. Thanks.

 

My first post.  

[haleywp]

I have not bought any store bought kits to build rods or build any rods.  I too am looking at starting to building my rods. I did go to Home Depot and bought a 6 ft. 1 X 6 board and cut some “V” notches, some ¼” dowels.  Then at Wal Mart a $5.00 kid rod and some cheap sowing thread.  I have been practicing wrapping the eyes cut off the kid rod on the dowel.  Have not tried any epoxy yet.  I plan to retire the end of June and will start building rods for myself and maybe if good enough for others (if requested).