First guide repair projects

[Mbirdsley]

So starting off on my rod building journey I decided to first repair 3 guides on 2 separate poles.  Glad I did this as it helped get rid of some of the unknowns for my self personally in rod building.  Also replaced a tip top on one of my trolling rods. 

 

so first off is my okuma esx bait casting crank rod.  Learned a good lesson in how to measure rod guides. I had to replace 2 of the bottom guides which I ordered online.  Well, they were probably a size or two to big and a little taller than the original guides.  Little nervous but, they came out pretty good.  I actually like the bigger profile guides and they don’t look out of place.  I’m actually thinking about stripping off a couple more guides and replacing them with the ones I bought.  My wraps were ok.  Even copied the silver metallic highlight thread on the bottom guide like the original had. I didn’t notice I had a couple gaps in the thread until the epoxy dried.  However, the rods functional again 

 

2nd rod I had to replace the bottom guide on my 7ft4 heavy bass-x rod. The wraps on this one was much better and it’s actually spinning in the rod dryer right now.  Only issues was is I should have wrapped down further on the top foot.  Only reason I didn't is that I put my loop to pull the tread through a little early and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pull it through. Still looks good not perfect but, again rod is functional again. 
 

getting ready to order my first kit.  Trying to keep it fairly cheaper for my first rod.  So far I’m leaning towards the R7020 Batson Rod Kit RX6 Bass Mag Cast 7'0'' 12-20 Lb. 1pc. which, is   RainShadow RX6 MB844 rod.  I want this to be a heavier jig/t-rig rod for weights 1/2-3/4oz 

 

wanted one of the crb colored rod kits from mud hole which are a little cheaper but, they only have them in mh mod/fast action or a heavy action rod.  They have the blanks but, not in the kit.  If prefer kit as the first rod 

[Reel]

The more you do it, the better you get.  It's actually more difficult to relace old guides than to put new ones on a new rod.

[Deleted account]

On 1/5/2022 at 2:28 AM, Mbirdsley said:

I didn’t notice I had a couple gaps in the thread until the epoxy dried.

 

First step in the rod building journey should be in the direction of the optometrist...

 

[Mbirdsley]

On 1/5/2022 at 7:07 AM, Deleted account said:

 

First step in the rod fishing journey should be in the direction of the optometrist...

 

Very true 

On 1/5/2022 at 6:39 AM, Reel said:

The more you do it, the better you get.  It's actually more difficult to relace old guides than to put new ones on a new rod.

I could see as The guides get bent over time and are no longer as straight as they could be 

[Chris Catignani]

On 1/5/2022 at 1:28 AM, Mbirdsley said:

I didn’t notice I had a couple gaps in the thread until the epoxy dried.  However, the rods functional again 

 

Exactly...don't worry a lot over aesthetics. The main thing is function.

[Mbirdsley]

On 1/5/2022 at 6:39 AM, Reel said:

The more you do it, the better you get.  It's actually more difficult to relace old guides than to put new ones on a new rod.

Apparently I forgot photos.  Kinda useless with out photos 

[MickD]

Unless your wrap is intended to match the length of other wraps on the rod, you don't need to make them that long.  Just a few wraps before the foot is enough.  The issue can be significant out nearer the rod tip because the added weight of thread and epoxy out there can slow the response time of the rod.  Depending on the thickness of the epoxy, the location, and the characteristics of the blank.  The lighter the blank tip the more likely it can have significant effect.

[Mbirdsley]

7 hours ago, MickD said:

Unless your wrap is intended to match the length of other wraps on the rod, you don't need to make them that long.  Just a few wraps before the foot is enough.  The issue can be significant out nearer the rod tip because the added weight of thread and epoxy out there can slow the response time of the rod.  Depending on the thickness of the epoxy, the location, and the characteristics of the blank.  The lighter the blank tip the more likely it can have significant effect.

I was just following how the rest of guides were wrapped on my both rods.  Everything I have read says you want to be 1/4 inch past the guide foot. 

[MickD]

Got it.  I personally see no reason for 1/4 inch on new wraps.  I have never used that much thread. This  topic was discussed on another forum recently and if I remember correctly, nothing close to 1/4 inch was mentioned.  I use, and many others do too, probably 3-5 wraps off the foot to start the wrap.  Considering the mechanics of it, how can anything more than about that have any effect on guide stability?  With that guide of yours, no issue.  But if you wrap the micros onto an ultra light and use 1/4 inch you will be significantly and measurably affecting the response time of the rod.

[Seaworthy81]

Looks like good work to me. Replacing guides is harder than wrapping a new rod. 

 

I actually got started building rods because I thought I could refinish a rod I loved. Well that ended poorly but sent me off building new rods from there. 

 

I actually just picked up a factory rod the other day hoping I'd be able to fish it quickly. Turns out the guide spacing is all messed up and while it looks great it will fish like poop. So I have to relearn an old lesson, its just better if I build it myself in the first place... 

[N Florida Mike]

I’m by no means an expert but for a quick fix all you need is guide thread and clear nail polish will do if you dont have epoxy. I just fixed a guide on my favorite rod that way. It looks ok, but is completely functional for this 25 year old or so rod, which is all that matters…