Rod Building

[Langer]

Does anyone build there own rods?  If so how difficult is it?

[Cheetam]

I've wanted to for the longest time, but haven't done it.  As with any DIY project I would imagine having all the right tools at your disposal and patience will make the job go smoother.

[dhuff]

I make all of my rods.  Like alot of things it is not hard once you get it figured out like all the tricks.  Also like anything else some think it is easy and some think it is hard.  If you are a fairly handy person and have a moderate amount of patience then go for it.  I suggest starting out on a rod or two that are cheap like a low quality blank or a panfish ultra-light something cheap.  You just need a simple stand to hold rod while turning the wraps on for the guides.  A few different small tools like reemers to reem the cork to fit handle and such.  A burnishing tool is cheap and that helps keep all the wraps together and looking nice.  And finally a drying motor that turns at about 2-5 rpm for flex-coating the guides so the flex-coat dosn't sag or get spun off of the rod.  There is a pretty good movie I saw on it called something like rod building by flex coat how we do it.  It is a basic video that will get you going in the right direction.  Any other question ask away, I will answer what I can.  Or I can possibly make you a rod or walk you through making a rod.  Good luck.

[Cheetam]

dhuff, what blanks do you generally use?

[smbassman]

I have wanted to do this for a while, but I have had many winter home improvement jobs to keep me too busy.  I did see that Cabelas has a nice kit now for $100 and it includes the flexcoat DVD that I have also heard is a must have for beginners.  The kit seems to include all the tools you will need.

[Langer]

Dhuff,  What other components do you use in addition to the blanks?  Where do you purchase your supplies from. How much on average do you save by building your own?

[joshimoto son]

I have used a few of Cabela's rod kits, and they are great to get started on, but my opinion is that we can buy better feeling rods for less than the price of the kit. I've always thought the Cabela's rod kits were a little "noodly" for my tastes. No.. I don't eat them.

The best value is from the bargain cave at Cabela's. You may find an entire kit, or just some rod blanks, but for the price it's well worth it.

No matter what, it's a lot of fun, and you have something to show for your efforts.

Good luck and have fun!

joshimoto son

[MBell]

Like dhuff said, the flex coat video is the way to go.  Wouldn't buy the kit, jannsnetcraft.com has a cheaper one.  For supplies jannsnetcraft.com and mudhole.com  Shipping on the blanks is usually $20 though, so that is a factor.  BTW jannsnetcraft is only 20 minutes south of cabelas, so I usually drive down and buy my blanks.  The hard part is learning to wrap the thread, but once you get it it's easy.  I started last winter and I can complete a rod with custom cork work in 2-3 hours.  I build no frills rod with no designs so that stuff will add time.
-Matt

[REEL_MAN]

Building a rod is more than a skill, it's an art. I have all the tools and have been building rods for years, from ice fishing glass rods to using Loomis blanks and if you don't know the tricks you have just donated time and money . Granted it's fun to build your own and something to be proud of, but if you can't use it?? The flex video is good to start with but only time and practice will give you the rod you can really be proud of and use. You might ask if I make my own?? Nope, For the time and money I buy Loomis, plus I get a warranty

REEL_MAN

[dhuff]

I make all of my rods now.  I use eaither St. Croix or Loomis Blanks.  If you get there blanks you get the warranty as long as you do not actually cut the blank itself.  So if you build a rod with one of those blanks you get the warranty.  Like mentioned you can get them as elaborate as you would like. I usually do mine with two collors of thread to give it a little contrast and make it look good.  However, you can make a good rod in short time depending on how fussy you are.  Myself I am very particular I always want everything to look good.  If it dosn't I undo it and do it over.  Just me.  When I make something I like it to come out good so if someone else looks at it I can be proud to say that I did it.  As far as how much you save per rod well that all depends on how crazy you get into components such as how many guides what type of guides what type of handle and such.  Generally I have found that the real savings on a rod is when you start to get up to the real high end rod blanks.  I make alot of SCIII or Loomis GL2's and the such and save around 50 not much but I like knowing that the backbone is correct and that I made the rod.  I will try and get a few pictures of a rod I am working on right now.  It is a 7' MH Loomis Baitcaster.  It is coming out really sharp with the black and siilver thread combo.  I am at a stand still until my hook keeper comes in.  I forgot to order it with the original order. 

[Cy]

I have built a couple rods for myself and for other people.  I buy some supplies from Cabelas and some from Mud Hole.  Joshimoto is right you can get some good deals in the Cabelas bargain cave. 

The one thing that I would recommend is a book by Dale P. Clemens called The New Advanced Custom Rod Building.  You should be able to get it at you local book store.  Here is a link so you know what you are looking for. 

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780832904363&itm=5

This is a great book that really helped me learn to build rods but also taught me more about buying rods too.  It is more information about graphite, rod blanks, guides, handles and reel seats then you ever wanted to know.

Based on personal experience I don't think you really save any money building your own rods.  I think you can build a better rod for the same money and you get the enjoyment of building it.

It can be a very rewarding hobby but it can also be a very frustrating hobby.  Patience in the key to a successful fishing rod build.  There have been many times that I had to stop building and take a break or come back to it later because I was ready to break it half. 

Good Luck and I will be happy to provide tips for building anytime.

Cy

[BryanP]

I build quite a few rods, mainly for myself and friends.  It's really not that hard.  You can save some money, but you'll have an initial investment in equipment.  The cool thing about it is you can build things the way you want them.  I customize a lot of the factory built rods I have (change guides/sizes, customize handles, etc....) and also build some killer bass rods on blanks designed for other applications.  One of my favorite smallmouth spinning rods is built on a 7'9" Loomis Hot Shot blank (model HS 930).  As you get more experienced, you can learn how to modify blanks by extending them (build a 6'6" into a 7 footer, or a 7' into 7'2, 7'6"......).  The options are endless!

As for books and videos, IMO the best book out there is also the cheapest!  Step By Step Rodbuilding by Flexcoat (4.95 at Jann's Netcraft).  I used to sell so many of those books during the years I worked at Jann's Netcraft, and virtually everyone commented on how easy it was to understand.

As for equipment, you should get some sort of rod wrapper.  A good one to start with is the Flex Coat Hand Rod Wrapper (item 290-520 in Jann's Catalog $59.95).  Also you should get a drying/finishing motor.  I use the Flex Coat 18 rpm (item 290-526 in Jann's Catalog $68.99).  Really, that's it other than some cork reamers or a round file, razor blades, 90 minute epoxy (for handles), and Flex Coat finish (for guide wraps--get the 24cc kit--it includes brushes, mixing cups/sticks, and enough finish for 3-4 rods).  Of course you could build your own wrapper and drying set up, but quite honestly, unless you're into that stuff, you probably won't save that much money.  I've been building rods for over 10 years and I still use the wrapper I listed above.  But I have added another drying motor and a Flex Coat cork lathe setup!

Instead of getting a rod kit, I'd go down to Jann's (or call them) and have them help you pick out a blank and components.  Most of the guys down there are knowlegeable, especially Kevin.  I'd start with a cheap blank, or practice repairing wraps on some old rods. 

[smbassman]

I have wanted to do this for a while, but I have had many winter home improvement jobs to keep me too busy.  I did see that Cabelas has a nice kit now for $100 and it includes the flexcoat DVD that I have also heard is a must have for beginners.  The kit seems to include all the tools you will need.

I guess I wasn't clear.  The kit I mentioned is a rod building kit not a component kit.  It has a stand w/ thread holder, drying/finishing motor, thread, epoxy, reamers and many other tools.  I agree the rod component kit is overpriced compared to what is available from Janns netcraft or mudhole.  The Cabelas store usually has a barrel of clearanced rod blanks in the store that could be good to try building on.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat410036&rid=&indexId=cat410036&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=2&parentType=index&parentId=cat410036&id=0003511

[Cy]

smbassman,

That kit looks good.  I have most of those tools that the kit comes with, that I purchased seperately.  I use the Cabelas Professional Rod Wrapper and I like it.  You can find it on their site, Item:IH-311433.  You can also do some searching online and probably find plans to build your own.

The main reason I am telling you this is because if you get the drying motor and you should.  Do not buy the expensive rod holding chuck that can go with it.  I made my own rod holding chuck for just a couple bucks in PVC and plastics thumb screws and it works great.  If you are interested I can send you a pic and some instructions.

Cy