Rod builders Tools

[Sam Kirk]

what tools are important for rod building? I don't waste money and purchase something I don't need. As a beginner I am setting up my rod building shop. 

[MikeK]

Sent you a message.

[casts_by_fly]

how many rods are you doing and how often?  I'm going to assume bass rods.

 

You can build a single rod every now and then with just a pack of razor blades, a lighter, some popsicle sticks, and a shot glass.  You'll make some compromises on your choices but it will get the job done.

 

Next step up I'd add a finish turning dryer/motor setup and a wrapping stand.  Get both for about $50.  They will make wrapping a lot faster and efficient.  Throw in a better spatula for finish application now that you can use a 2-part epoxy to finish with the dryer.  If you're going to do custom grips or grips from cork rings then you'll need some files and sandpaper.

 

The above will get you to building a couple rods a week if you plan out the drying time.

 

You mention shop.  If you're going to do more than a couple a week then a power wrapper and a drum based dryer are a good idea.  You're going to add a couple hundred bucks there but you'll want it for that many.  You'll probably want a lathe for some tools for hand turned grips.  If you're doing anything specialty like diamond wraps, checkerboard grips, or other stuff then you'll need that equipment.

[Chris Catignani]

I think the most important thing is the rod wrapper. The base and the thread carriage are pretty key.
Then after that...I personally have a bunch of different epoxy I use...then the list goes on...

[MickD]

Join this forum and use the Library articles, especially this one:  https://www.rodbuilding.org/library/waterfree.html

[Alex from GA]

IMO besides the expendables, glue, tape, razor blades, the thing you most need is a dryer.  You can use a box for wrapping and a book or 3 for thread tension.  

[Chris Catignani]

19 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

IMO besides the expendables, glue, tape, razor blades, the thing you most need is a dryer.  You can use a box for wrapping and a book or 3 for thread tension.  

I agree a dryer is big...I also think having a set of reamers is big too.

[FD.]

 

[MickD]

On 5/11/2023 at 3:17 PM, casts_by_fly said:

Next step up I'd add a finish turning dryer/motor setup and a wrapping stand.  Get both for about $50.  They will make wrapping a lot faster and efficient.

You can cobble a wrapping stand if you have basic carpenter skills.  The "dryer"  (epoxy does not dry, it cures, it's a chemical reaction) from cheap motors available on line and a simple stand.  I use a tuna can with pegs at four spots and use rubber bands to "grab" the rod butt.  RPM should be fairly slow, like less than 20 rpm, if I remember right.  Others correct me if wrong, but you don't want high rpm for the curing process. 

[Chris Catignani]

On 6/18/2023 at 3:49 PM, MickD said:

RPM should be fairly slow, like less than 20 rpm, if I remember right.  Others correct me if wrong, but you don't want high rpm for the curing process. 

RPM on the motors I have are 6 RPM.

[casts_by_fly]

If you don't have a drying motor setup, you can use a manual method.  I did a lot of rods like that at first.  With a moderate thickness epoxy you plan for 2 light coats.  Apply to each wrap and when you're done put the rod on a horizontal stand, guides down.  Turn the rod 180 degrees every 30 seconds for the first 5 minutes, every minute for the next 5-10 minutes, every 2 minutes for the next 10 minutes, and then every 5 minutes for the next 30.  For most epoxies that will get you pretty close to the point where there is no more fluidity in the coating.  Do the same on the next coat in 24 hours.  Its something you can do while you're watching TV and just set an alarm on your phone.  If you're only doing one rod here or there, its more than sufficient.  If you're doing one a day it gets tedious.  

[Chris Catignani]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

If you don't have a drying motor setup, you can use a manual method.  I did a lot of rods like that at first.  With a moderate thickness epoxy you plan for 2 light coats.  Apply to each wrap and when you're done put the rod on a horizontal stand, guides down.  Turn the rod 180 degrees every 30 seconds for the first 5 minutes, every minute for the next 5-10 minutes, every 2 minutes for the next 10 minutes, and then every 5 minutes for the next 30.  For most epoxies that will get you pretty close to the point where there is no more fluidity in the coating.  Do the same on the next coat in 24 hours.  Its something you can do while you're watching TV and just set an alarm on your phone.  If you're only doing one rod here or there, its more than sufficient.  If you're doing one a day it gets tedious.  

I can't tell you how many rods I turned by hand...seem like I would just rotate the rod 180 degrees every 5 minutes for a hour and every 15 minutes for the next hour. I was using FlexCoat High Build...Some of the epoxies today need a longer turn time. I have a dryer I made that would turn off after two hours...I had to change the program to three hours when I started using ProCoat.

[Alex from GA]

40 or so years ago I found a BBQ spit motor @ a garage sale and adapted it for a dryer.  3 RPM.