First successful guide wrapped

[Bass Junke]

Happy holidays everyone. 

So way back on Father's Day I bought a Rainshadow blank, the SB822.5. Someone suggested it and the specs were right. I finally got around to buying some thread and basic tools. A buddy of mine gave me a cheap 30$ BPS 2 piece rod he did not want anymore. I learned how to cut guides off of a blank. I used one of those guides to practice. The photo is my first successful wrap over a guide with a trim band. I think it came out pretty good, the colors are bad, think I will use black instead of gray. In the end I ended up using the book method, I think Mick suggested that. The mousetraps were a good conversation piece but the book provided more consistent tension, thanks Mick. I think I am about ready to build a rod. 

[Hook2Jaw]

4 minutes ago, Bass Junke said:

Happy holidays everyone. 

So way back on Father's Day I bought a Rainshadow blank, the SB822.5. Someone suggested it and the specs were right. I finally got around to buying some thread and basic tools. A buddy of mine gave me a cheap 30$ BPS 2 piece rod he did not want anymore. I learned how to cut guides off of a blank. I used one of those guides to practice. The photo is my first successful wrap over a guide with a trim band. I think it came out pretty good, the colors are bad, think I will use black instead of gray. In the end I ended up using the book method, I think Mick suggested that. The mousetraps were a good conversation piece but the book provided more consistent tension, thanks Mick. I think I am about ready to build a rod. 

I'll be wrapping some up as soon as this stomach flu passes!  You did a great job.

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, Bass Junke said:

Happy holidays everyone. 

So way back on Father's Day I bought a Rainshadow blank, the SB822.5. Someone suggested it and the specs were right. I finally got around to buying some thread and basic tools. A buddy of mine gave me a cheap 30$ BPS 2 piece rod he did not want anymore. I learned how to cut guides off of a blank. I used one of those guides to practice. The photo is my first successful wrap over a guide with a trim band. I think it came out pretty good, the colors are bad, think I will use black instead of gray. In the end I ended up using the book method, I think Mick suggested that. The mousetraps were a good conversation piece but the book provided more consistent tension, thanks Mick. I think I am about ready to build a rod. 

Nicely Done ~

I happen to be in the middle of re-guide a couple of older spinning rods myself.

Yours looks better.

Congrats

A-Jay

 

[bish0p]

Nicely done Bass Junke. That's how the sickness begins. Next you'll have fun applying thread finish.

[crypt]

once you start you can't stop........happens to all of us. I build at least 2 a month now......

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Nice and neat. If I may make a suggestion, file the guide foot down to make a smooth transition. That will eliminate the bump at the end and make wrapping much easier. 

[Bass Junke]

Thank you everyone. Hook2jaw, can't wait to see your stuff. 

13 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Nice and neat. If I may make a suggestion, file the guide foot down to make a smooth transition. That will eliminate the bump at the end and make wrapping much easier. 

So that guide came off of a 30$ BPS rod, I did file the bottom to make sure it was smooth. I did not want to score my new blank. So file the foot down even flatter. This is good to know. I'm guessing it is the little things that come from experience that separate the good rods from the great rods from the awesome rods. Thank you. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It’s called dressing the guide. A quick google search will show you. Welcome to the dark side. 

[Bass Junke]

Oh I have been wandering around the dark side for a while now. Bought a book on the subject. Once I finish that, I will re-watch some videos, then finally assemble. I am rethinking my jig design. Mine is to large. I am going to build a much narrower one to make wrapping close to the tip easier. Also build a... I don't know what it is called, an extra leg, an outrigger? Something that is the same scale as the jig but can support the rod and handle when wrapping the tip. I am almost ready and feel good about it. Love all the advise.

[MickD]

Except for the fact that the colors are a lot like Ohio State, they look fine.  Good job.  When using cheap guides (or any for that matter) it's a good idea to check the bottom side of the foot for any burrs and clean up any found.  I think that's what you meant, but I wanted to be sure.  

[Bass Junke]

4 hours ago, MickD said:

Except for the fact that the colors are a lot like Ohio State, they look fine.  Good job.  When using cheap guides (or any for that matter) it's a good idea to check the bottom side of the foot for any burrs and clean up any found.  I think that's what you meant, but I wanted to be sure.  

Exactly what I meant, didn't want to scratch or score the blank. Once again thanks for the book idea, worked great. 

[Hook2Jaw]

As of midnight, my rod is spinning on the dryer with grips, guides, and a layer of epoxy over the thread wraps.

 

It looks 5/10, to me, anyway.  I did a lot of moving my wraps via pushing on them with the burnishing tool, which lead to some waves on the start of the wrap.  I've got a few gaps, especially at a foot or three where the thread slipped under as I aligned guides.  I've got some epoxy overrun on the first guide I touched.

 

The metallic silver in my build kit is too flashy for me as far as thread goes, and the next time I'll be going with a flat black or white.  I like simple colors.  At any rate, it matches the accent parts on the Tatula 100 the rod is paired with.

 

My first through ninth guide aren't perfect, but it looks pretty decent for my first go.  I'm very proud of my work and I can't wait to use this stick.

 

I'll make a post about it tomorrow.

 

I feel accomplished.

[Bass Junke]

Awesome bro, can't wait to see it. Thanks for the update. I still need to buy guides, handles, reel seat, ect. Just waiting for all this holiday stuff to be over. Cool you get to fish it.

[Alex from GA]

Flex Coat has a series of youtube videos about rod building that are good to watch.  I also use their High Build epoxy for my guide wraps and have been for 50 years.