Fixing my own rod tips and guides

[kgr624]

I have spent way to much money having other people fix my guides and rod tips. Time to get with the program. Where can I find rod guide and tip material to fix most of my rods? Thanks

[thedude]

mudhole.com has everything you might want. Cabelas or Jann's netcraft will also carry many brands/types of guides.

The 2 things you need to know about sizing a tip is the ring size and tube size. The tube size is the ID of the tube on the guide/tip. It should match the O.D. of the tip of the rod. These are measured in 64ths of an inch. You can buy a tip-top sizing guage (plastic sheet with a bunch of holes marked by size) or you can measure the tip of the rod with calipers in inches. This will give you for ex 0.078125" inches. Take that number and multiply it by 64 = 5/64ths of an inch - therefore it will require a size 5 tip. They come in increments of .5 - (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5 etc) so pic the one that is closest but slightly larger.

The ring size is dependent on brand - it is technically supposed to be the OD of the ceramic ring insert. This is hard to measure and different for almost every brand. Rule of thumb - the vast majority of tips used on bass rods are a size 6 ring. A size 7 is often used as well. Some rods with micro guides might use a size 4 or 5.  The good news is  it really doesn't matter what size tip you put on. If it had a 7 and you use a 6 or vice versa - there is no effect on performance whatsoever.

[5poundhooker]

Well said, thedude. Wrapping them you would need an array of items to do. Either a power or hand wrapper, thread, rod finish, burnishing tool to tighten wraps, masking tape, brushes, etc.... You can learn how by watching You-Tube or other online videos. It takes a while to do a good job and oh yeah a drying motor or turn it every five minutes or so. Don't use Flex Coat especially on colored blanks it will yellow after exposed to the sun no matter what they say about improved UV protection. I use either Prokote or Thread Master rod finish now.

[fiker]

I've never done this but I wonder if an old rotisserie motor for the back yard grill couldn't be rigged up to spin a rod until it dries.

[bassfan586]

I have a couple rods that I have used flex coat on.  After 4 summers on the front deck I dont have yellowing.  I would like to try prokote though.
I have

[5poundhooker]

The reason the yellowing is not apparent is probably the blank color. Flex-coat always yellows. You can't do anything to make it stop except buy another brand. It is fine for black or dark colored blanks, because you can't tell. Wrap a white blank and give it half a season and it will yellow or tan up like the 1st gen. Micro Magics did, but if you ever have to repair one it will match the rest of the guides later. It does go on clear, but even the new formula turns. Pro-kote is great and Thread master is ok also. In order to fix your own stuff you don't necessarily have to have a dryer, you just have to turn it over every five minutes or so. I wouldn't recommend this for multiple guides or full builds, but it will work in a pinch. Everything that you need to build your own rods could cost a hundred to thousands depending on how technical you wish to get. Good luck with it and use You Tube kgr624.