Streamlining guides to have on hand.

[dv616]

For spinning rods, I have settled on the Microwave guides system.  For me, it seems to offer a guide set that works well for multiple reels sizes, allows me to stock one guide set for most of my builds, etc.  The only downside is the Ti color guides are just coated stainless, not real Titanium frames.  But, cost of spinning Titanium frames are quite high for the larger guide sizes so not sure I would do that on my spinning rods anyway.  If they sold the first two guides individually I might run Ti runners.  It makes me feel more comfortable if I want to swap reels around too since the KR concept seems more specific to each individual reel.

 

I would like to have casting guides on hand with a similar theory.  I am thinking that using the Fuji RV6 as the first guide (probably the slim SiC with Ti frames) and then using either Alconite or Ti Sic depending on the rod for the rest.  Probably doing the black finish so everything will match.  I have settled on size 5 for runners on most of my bass builds (used 4 on my last 2 BFS rods, but probably the only time I will go smaller).  For bass rods, would this work well for someone who uses mostly 10-15 fluorocarbon on bait casters?  I do have a couple swimbait and heavier bass rods that I plan to build as well, but from what I have read, these guides are also fine with heavier stuff as well.  I do the simple spiral, so thinking the RV6 for butt guide, a size 5 runner for the bumper (lower profile) then 3 KB5's, and runners to the tip.  

Am I over simplifying guide selection?  I tend to over complicate things related to fishing but if this is an area I can reasonably streamline components, it would be nice.  I would love to have a decent number of guides and tops on hand to cover future builds without having to stock a wide variety of sizes and styles. 

[casts_by_fly]

Any reason you need to keep a stock on hand?  Last minute builds or rushed customers?

 

I still have a stock of guides downstairs.  When Merrick, Mudhole, Angler's resource or any of the other suppliers I would use were running a sale I'd pick up a bunch at cheap prices so that I had some on hand.  I'd end up using them on my own rods when I was throwing something together to try something out.  They weren't bad for replacement guides if someone broke a factory rod.  Depending what it was they would occasionally make it onto a customer rod (e.g. the blue ringed Amtak guides on a blank with blue trim wraps).  Usually though, every custom rod was its own beast.  Customers always wanted a certain thing.  Technologies were changing and manufacturers were offering different things.  I tried to stick to higher end builds for customers which meant what I kept on hand wasn't the right thing and my stocking higher end things like Ti SiC was a no go.

 

If you're going to keep a stock on hand then what you plan sounds reasonable.  For spiral wraps I prefer a little taller guide for the first two to keep it off the blank just a hair further (a size 10 or 12 tall usually for the first one).  Otherwise what you say will work.  I just wouldn't do it at all.

[KCFinesse]

I stock a bunch of Pac Bay minima guides in 4 and 5 as generic runners (they run slightly larger than others). I do keep a stock of stripping guides as well...

 

On my store bought rods, I always seem to break inserts... With the swaged inserts I don't have that problem. I like the minimas because they are light, work really really well in non-braid applications, and are cheap to keep an inventory! I like having some extras around to be able to adjust sizing and spacing during load tests. 

 

If I'm building for a customer, braid use is usually one of the first things I ask for that reason.

 

-Jared

[dv616]

I just build as a hobby and occasional Christmas gift type thing.  I have built up a fair amount of blanks from NFC that I want to build up.  The idea is more so when I have a chance to do some building (works slows down a bit in the winter, so that tends to be when I get more free time to try to quickly build a couple here and there), it is not always "Shoot, I need three more of this size or I thought I had a that tip size, etc."  

 

I have built more spinning rods lately but need to stock up for some casting rod builds next.  Even in those running, the Ti stuff adds up fast!  For spinning rods, I am all braid to leader, so I would probably not do the Minima guides for that reason.  For bait cast, I tend to be straight fluoro except for a slop rod.  

[1984isNOW]

IS the reason you don't like the minimas because they are SS insert and that doesn't play will with braid?

 

I ordered a couple AT microwave air guide sets that have SS inserts because they said they were good for all lines.

[dv616]

I thought those were not best for braid, maybe just louder?  I have always just stuck with ceramic rings and have not experimented with the rings or stainless ring designs.  

[casts_by_fly]

I don't mind the light stainless rings for light mono and my 7'6" ultralight has them.  I don't know if they are braid rated, but I wouldn't use them for anything more than 10 lb and ML applications.  They don't feel sturdy enough for me to put any serious force on them.  Given the track record with ceramic guides and how much work goes into wrapping a rod, it isn't worth the risk to me.

[WC53]

On light spinners Torzite 4.5 are okay. I don’t care for 4’s. If not Torzite then size 5.  Could probably just standardize as a 5, 5.5 .  I had a bad experience with stainless rings a few years back and never returned. Technology has progressed a lot, but I haven’t;) 

The AT tiForged pentalite in a size 10 DF are 10 bucks a guide cheaper than a Fuji KW 10 Torzite.  Think the Seaguide ti split the cost difference. Fuji has largest ID, then Seaguide.
I need to just print ring height and ID charts and keep them handy.  Or just order Fuji.

[Lyman X]

The bottom of the ring on an RV-6 is the same height as the bottom of the ring on a KW-10 and so high enough. I use a lot of 4.5 KB-KT runners. 5's are fine.

[Chris Catignani]

On 12/14/2022 at 7:47 AM, dv616 said:

... I am thinking that using the Fuji RV6 as the first guide (probably the slim SiC with Ti frames) and then using either Alconite or Ti Sic depending on the rod for the rest.  Probably doing the black finish .....

FWIW....Fuji is not making the black finish any more.

 

Lately I've have been buying the Fuji guide kits from MudHole that are packaged by Angler Resource...spinning and casting. 

I found myself spending too much time looking for particular guides in a size and color. 

Love the LKW kit in Alconite.

[MickD]

Fuji makes a quite dark titanium, T-2.

One thing to consider if you are like I am, and build for freshwater/inshore cast and spin, you can get along with very few guides if you want to.  Another consideration is that with the small guides that most of us use now, finish is less important regarding appearance than it used to be.  With the runners, you can hardly see them.

 

For spin, I almost exclusively use Fuji KLH 20-10-5.5M for spin reduction and RV6 for cast first guide.

 

After that, for the runners, they are all Fuji KB's and KT's, size 4 for spin, size 5 for cast.

 

If one were to limit the finishes and ring materials, one would only need to stock 8 different part numbers and could build a lot of different rods.

[spoonplugger1]

If you used Rich Forhans recommenfations that have been out for a couple decades you wouldn't ever be far off.