Rod rack for the basement?

[bitsandbass]

Hi all.  I've been watching the Kastking 24 rod holder for a while.  At $70 I was on the fence (seems like a lot of a cheap piece of metal).

 

However, I need to get on this basement clean up project haha.  The Kastkings are sold out at Walmart and Amazon.  I assume its covid/supply issue related.

 

MY QUESTIONS: there are tons of racks on Amazon that look exactly the same (generic knockoffs).  Anyone ever try and of the other brands and any thoughts/recommendations Re: quality etc?  Thanks folks. 

[Fishingmickey]

Hi Sandbass,

    I made my own horizontal rod holder it's capable of holding at least 20 rod and reels. I used two 6' long 1x4's and cut 20 1/2" x 6" hardwood dowels. I took my hand drill and I removed the ruler from my combo square. I used the 45° side of it as a drill guide and drilled 10 holes equal distance apart (about 6") at a 45° angle on the 1x4's. Glue or epoxy in the dowels, paint, varnish or stain to your hearts content and mount on the wall at 48" or 64" apart.

FM

[MassYak85]

I agree with the above if you have the ceiling space. Some heavy duty dowels, a couple short pieces of 2x4 with hole for the dowel and some screws are all you need. Made much better if you use rod socks otherwise the guides will bump the dowels as you take them down or put them up. I don't have too many rods so I ended up using some PVC instead but with a lot of rods the PVC will sag. 

[Koz]

I just made my own the other week. I used poplar so the cost of the wood was about $30. Pine would be about half that. No special joinery required - just wood glue and a few wood screws.

 

 

[gilkeybr]

12 hours ago, Koz said:

I just made my own the other week. I used poplar so the cost of the wood was about $30. Pine would be about half that. No special joinery required - just wood glue and a few wood screws.

 

The poplar is generally much nicer to work with.  Almost impossible to find an unwarped piece of pine in the whole stack.  

 

My first iteration I got a 4x8 sheet of plywood and ripped it down to the widths I wanted.  Much straighter wood that way, if you don't mind the exposed end grain (or you could get some veneer if you were really anal).  

 

When the second one ends up too small again, the third version i'll go back to plywood!

[Teal]

I have one of the cheap aluminum ones off of Ebay.  I bought it 10 years ago.  fine as long as you arent knocking into it.  I'd like build one and have a little more space in between the rods and reels.  Casting rods are fine mine is a little aggravating for the spinning gear

[Koz]

1 hour ago, gilkeybr said:

The poplar is generally much nicer to work with.  Almost impossible to find an unwarped piece of pine in the whole stack. 

 

I like poplar but if you want to stain it you really need to be complete in your sanding and make sure you pre-treat the wood. I did not pre-treat the fishing rack I made and that left me with a bit more sanding and touch up after I stained it.

 

The big box stores have Select Pine which is usually straight and mostly knot free. But you pay a premium for it. I use cheap wood because it's cheap to replace if I mess up.

 

I just made this display platter the other day out of pine. Next up is a shadow box for some of my son's old baseball bats, jersey, and photos. I'm still sketching some plans and working on different ideas.

 

 

[JustJames]

The Kastking 24 rod, if you store with reel attached, you can fit only 6-7 on each side.

I have the Kastking version (and I believe the EBay 20 dollars one is about the same) and DIY PVC version. Actually Kastking version is pretty stable, but I do have some problem with my ULtralight rod especially when attached with spinning reel.

[gilkeybr]

1 hour ago, Koz said:

 

I like poplar but if you want to stain it you really need to be complete in your sanding and make sure you pre-treat the wood. I did not pre-treat the fishing rack I made and that left me with a bit more sanding and touch up after I stained it.

 

The big box stores have Select Pine which is usually straight and mostly knot free. But you pay a premium for it. I use cheap wood because it's cheap to replace if I mess up

 

 

The select pine is definitely better than the common stuff.  I think part of the problem was I used a 1x12 and 1x8 for mine.  Hard to find any boards that wide that didn't have any cupping.  Or maybe your big box store just carries nicer wood!

[Koz]

2 hours ago, gilkeybr said:

 

The select pine is definitely better than the common stuff.  I think part of the problem was I used a 1x12 and 1x8 for mine.  Hard to find any boards that wide that didn't have any cupping.  Or maybe your big box store just carries nicer wood!

I have 5 or 6 Home Depots and about the same number of Lowe's in my area. Sometimes I have to hit a few of them to find the quality I'm looking for.

 

Someday if I hit the lottery I'll buy a planer and a joiner and start building things using more expensive hardwoods.

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, Koz said:

Someday if I hit the lottery I'll buy a planer and a joiner and start building things using more expensive hardwoods.

I should really put together a rod-rack for myself. I got plenty of sandalwood and walnut sitting around down in the shop. I think some white oak too.

[WRB]

What is a basement

[Koz]

41 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I should really put together a rod-rack for myself. I got plenty of sandalwood and walnut sitting around down in the shop. I think some white oak too.

Walnut is great, but I'd save it for more of a showpiece project instead of a fishing rod holder.

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, Koz said:

Walnut is great, but I'd save it for more of a showpiece project instead of a fishing rod holder.

At my age, I'm done with showpiece projects. The walnut was left-over from a commission job - custom fit DVD-bookcases.

[snake95]

@bitsandbass I bought the Kast King 24 rack two weeks ago and literally the minute I finished putting it together opened Amazon on my phone and ordered a second one. 

 

I wasn't thrilled about the price at first, and frankly, it was not as easy to put together as I'd like.  However, it looks good and is reasonably sturdy.  

 

When you put it together, put the screws and nuts that slide down the columns in first, then put the crossbars on.

 

I used to have the simple foam Berkley rack that screws into the studs behind the wall.  The Kast King upright rack is vastly better because you can move it around.

 

I respect the guys that DIY.  But I don't have that kind of time (or don't make it).  You won't regret the Kast King.

 

Edit:  I just re-read your post.  I'm sorry I see they are sold out.  Well, if they come back, I would recommend it.  I see some on Amazon with ridiculous brand names.  They look identical.  It it were me I'd order one of those.