want to get into rod building

[parkermann2]

Hey guys Ive recently been looking into rod building. I was gonna get a book on it. But is it even worth my time? Is it something I can do or does it take a lot of skill to do? I don't want to get into it and then realize that it is extremely hard to do. Can anyone give me some info on this?

Thanks in advance

[old pudd fisher]

Made this one in 1978 and still use it, I got a step by step book that helped me.3765437655 Go for it and have fun.

[troutdog]

Hey Parkerman,
I'm not sure the "initial investment" amount needed to get started, nor your budget but if it is something your are interested in I say GO FOR IT! I have a couple of custom rods and they are very special to me, I would imagine it would be all that plus some if I had wrapped it myself....

I have always heard this is good start site for supplies http://www.mudhole.com/

Long time FNN member Bebop is the site's rod building guru, PM him and/or get his number...I'm sure he would be happy to share his knowledge and point you in the right direction if you need some 411.

Good luck and be sure to post up some of your work, who knows maybe this is your calling! :Thumbs Up:


TD

[OC ANGLER]

Ive thought about wrapping my own rod for some time .. just dont know where to begin .. I need a jedi master to teach me ... lol

[tacklejunkie]

Uhhhh, huh huh huh, huh uh uhhhhhhhhhh..
Did she say she wants to customize my rod? Huh huhhhhh.
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=37656&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1351171226

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/DSCN9083.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/DSCN9084.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/DSCN9085.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/DSCN9088.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/DSCN9106.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/DSCN9107.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/DSCN9110.jpg

So much for this junk
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/IMG_1310.jpg

[tacklejunkie]

Aha!
Thought you had me huh Jerky?!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/customrod1.jpg

mmmmmmmmmm spiral wrap guides
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/customrod2.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/bigfish.jpg

lolololol
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/customrod3.jpg

check out those curves!
This is why you spiral wrap.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/customrod4.jpg

[tacklejunkie]

Let me know when you guys get to lures.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Robo-Mouse/DSC_0164.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/fnnmouse006.jpg

and modifying your reels
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Solrepaintbare.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/solrepaintsdrying003.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sol%20mods/DoneSolmoondust004.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sol%20mods/DoneSolmoondust006.jpg

and tying your flies!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/home%20tied%20flies/DSCN0914.jpg

and
and
and

[CraigH]

I started with the "custom rod wrapping with Doc Ski" DVD. (Actually I started with the VHS tape, but I see it's available on DVD). Doc Ski is a famous old time rod builder, and covers everything in the one DVD. I think its about 3 hours long. If I remember right, he even shows you how to build a wrapping stand out of a cardboard box so you can see if you're going to like it without spending much. I think he has two DVD's - you want the one where he builds a rod step by step, not the one where he teaches advanced thread paterns.

Mudhole is a good source, also Cabela's has kits where you select the blank you want and they add all the grips, guides, threads, glue and rod finish you need to complete the rod. I think its at a discount to buying everything individually, and you get everything you need in the right sizes for the blank. I'd suggest one of those for your first rod.

[fishinone]

Rod wrapping isn't hard if you keep it simple. You can actually do it without any special equipment. Good tools will make it easier and quicker. Go for it.

Don't start with anything to complex. Work your way up. Develop techniques with lower cost parts so that you can afford to make more.

[CraigH]

My fast fingers hit post before I was through. Basic rod building doesn't take a lot of skill, but you will eventually want a power wrapper/dryer (or at least a power dryer). Rod finish takes a while to dry, and it helps to have a power dryer to keep the blank turning so the finish will be level. It does take some patience as there is a lot of drying between steps (glue for the reel seat/grips has to dry before you can wrap guides, flexcoat on wrappings has to dry before you can put on second coat or use rod).

You can do things like add hook keepers to rods you already have, replace broken guides, and build custom items like lightweight trout rods on light fly rod blanks or set up the grips exactly the way and spacing you want them.

[tacklejunkie]

I basically use all this same stuff I just bought it all seperately

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/starter_kit-281x163.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/HandWrapper2-231x155.jpg

I forgot what RPM my motor is.... Maybe 24 RPM is a bit fast, I forget.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/DryingMachine-250x153.jpg

I have these too, they make life easy. I shelled out for the whole set
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/reamers_all-520x112.jpg

All the rest is a bit of fancy TJ smoked and mirrors.

Word to the wise:
plan the rod you want to build from start to finish before you build it.
draw it out on paper first. Make sure it's a rod you can actually build.

I think Skyler used a cardboard box wrapper and made a great flyrod.

[That Dang Guy]

Rod wrapping is as simple or as complicated as you want to make it for yourself! It's rewarding, but at the same time frustrating when you can't get the level of fit and finish that you expect out of a rod right away. I have a stack of rods i'm trying to find the time to wrap still. They're all kitted out, just sitting on my desk waiting for me.

I bought my power wrapper from another FNN member years ago, but it came with Kirkman's rod building book. It's very simple, but it'll give you an idea of what you're getting into. Just PM me an address and it's yours.

[tacklejunkie]

Rod wrapping is as simple or as complicated as you want to make it for yourself! It's rewarding, but at the same time frustrating when you can't get the level of fit and finish that you expect out of a rod right away. I have a stack of rods i'm trying to find the time to wrap still. They're all kitted out, just sitting on my desk waiting for me.

I bought my power wrapper from another FNN member years ago, but it came with Kirkman's rod building book. It's very simple, but it'll give you an idea of what you're getting into. Just PM me an address and it's yours.

TDG!
Another great wrod wrappin' foo!
I have a picture of his carbon skinned d/s rod around here somewhere I seen it this morning.. :Cool:

[parkermann2]

Thanks for all the info guys!!!!

[Slims]

I didnt read the rest of the thread but I got into rod building through an old timer named dale clemens. Dale Clemens made a good series of books that break it down and make it simple. Also, if you still have a vcr around your house, Dale clemens made a 2 part series called custom rod building and advanced custom rod building. Its always nice to see a video of what the books are trying to describe. I know the west covina library used to carry the two tapes.

Good luck.

[DocSpotty]

Parkermann......I've been building rods for just about 30 years now. It is not that difficult to do just takes more time when you're new at it. Really helps to have someone who knows what they're doing looking over your shoulder as you can learn some easy tricks to getting things done. I agree with the other guy about Dale Clemens.....he was kind of the father of custom rod making.....his books are fairly long but if you really want to learn about the types of materials and why you should do it one way or another they are the best. Beside Custom Rod Building and Advanced Custom Rod Building he did Custom Thread Art (something like that). I made my first rod wrapping jig very simply then moved onto a Clemens model which is simple wood with rollers and expandable wings...have had it know for 25 years. If you are looking for a simple, functional rod it is not that difficult......getting fancy takes more time. Here's some of the work I've done over the years......gives me something to do in the winter in Alaska.....

This was my first....Fenwick fiberglass....back when they were US made.....
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-17.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-18.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-19.jpg

I rewrapped rods I had at the time:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-28.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-31.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-43.jpg

Then started doing my own new rods.....made many for other people too:
Matching rods.....close similiar designs...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-44.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-45.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-46.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-47.jpg

Rods of all kinds:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-33.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-32.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-34.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-38.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-39.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-40.jpg

This is a pattern I made myself of my father's aircraft....a Bonanza....
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-35.jpg

A few, very fancy recent flyrods I did for others:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/IMG_0001.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/IMG_0004.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/IMG_0011.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/IMG_0009.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/IMG_0007.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-10.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-11.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-12.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-13.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j32/DocEsox/Fishing%20Rods/file-15.jpg

My wife keeps asking how many rods is enough for me.....not sure....not even sure how many I personally have....around 40 give or take. If you start prepare to be addicted.

Brian

[tacklejunkie]

My wife keeps asking how many rods is enough for me
You need one for every day of the week! :LOL: Sometimes two or three per day! That's a minimum of 21 rods! and a max of 1095!
Beautiful wraps doc! Much patience required on those.

I started to learn "marbling" when I left off. Came out rather interesting.
I'll try and get pics up of that rod tomorrow if I'm not too busy!

[tacklejunkie]

My first foray into marbling.
It's pretty tricky to get all the finish to come out perfectly even. I've always been one to over-coat things too much.
Learning less is more the more I go!
You can see my mistakes and some rather interesting things on this rod. lol

This is my "UFO Grip" two piece marbled spinning rod.
It's actually a lot more comfortable to use than it seems, considering it's built to the contours of my hand.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz002.jpg

Who needs a foregrip? That's where the pretty decorations go!
You'll see some silver writing over the marbling depicting my signature and blank number and line rating.
Too bad it came out slightly uneven. I need some more marbling practice. It's like an artform!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz004.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz003.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz005.jpg

Like I said, the thing fits every contour of my hand perfectly like a glove.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz006.jpg

Here's where a split grip would normally go.
I decided to get bit wild with it. Gives you adjustable casting positions. Pretty nifty and feels better than it looks.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz007.jpg

Nice guide wrap colors wrapped on both sides of the guide with trim.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz008.jpg

Overdid the joint a little bit again. Still learning!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz009.jpg

Also applied a bit more rod finish and marbling on the tip than I would have liked to, but it looks funky and works much nicer than a zebco.
Oh well. I'll know not to go overboard with the finish next time. lol
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/zzzzzzzzz010.jpg

I use this rod for my motorcycle and while backpacking considering it's a two piece. Not bad for $40 batson kit.
This post brought to you by "TJ's Stolen Rods Co."
-Tjizzle over and izzle.

[DarkShadow]

I've always found that the total price at the end of the project becomes bigger than if you would have bought it at the store, especially if you pay someone else for the labor.

In the end, I always find I want Matagi components, and the best guides money can buy, AAA quality cork, etc, so a $300 factory rod becomes $500 in a hurry. And since I'm more function than form, I don't like the triple diamond pattern rainbow swirl custom color brouhaha with stickers and a flag and fish sticker to go with it wraps. I want my rod to be the lightest as possible, so I'd rather save the artwork for the museums.

[parkermann2]

Thanks to everyone I got some great info!!

[tacklejunkie]

I've always found that the total price at the end of the project becomes bigger than if you would have bought it at the store, especially if you pay someone else for the labor.

In the end, I always find I want Matagi components, and the best guides money can buy, AAA quality cork, etc, so a $300 factory rod becomes $500 in a hurry. And since I'm more function than form, I don't like the triple diamond pattern rainbow swirl custom color brouhaha with stickers and a flag and fish sticker to go with it wraps. I want my rod to be the lightest as possible, so I'd rather save the artwork for the museums.

But Matagi and best guides and AAA quality cork are brouhaha.
You don't need any of that.

A nice batson blank and some Fuji guides and some AAA cork will run you $100.
You'd be amazed how nice such a rod can fish.
Then you just need someone nice to put it together for you and draw it up how you want it for them. I'm sure they'd rather build an easy minimalistic rod for you than waste all their time marbling it and thread wrapping it up all special anyway. lol

You can always customize cheap fuji reel seats to look special like Japan does it too.
I suppose it's all in how you see it.

Skyler built one of the nicest 6'fly rods I have ever seen straight from Cabella's on a cardboard box and blew me away. Rod fishes great!

My snake wrapped spiral split grip casting 6' rod cost me about $100 and I Could probably slang it for double.
My swimbait rod came out basic, with just an added striper sticker under the finish. $200.. got the best blue zirconium guides for it I could find on this side of the planet and fuji seat and a sick swimbait blank from Rainshadow/Batson. Not to mention the grips length and feel fits me better than something I could have bought because I have a long arm and wanted longer spacing between the split grip. I frequently find swimbait rod grips to be much too short for my liking with little leverage on the big fish.

Just have to give it a try and shape your components how you want. You'd be really surprised.
those cheap baston/forcaster/rainshadow blanks fish very well if you get the right one.
If you need to order Japanese blanks I'd hate to see the trouble you'd go through to return one if you got the wrong one.

Go down to the rod shop and start feeling blanks and tell me you can't find something nice. ;)
They have Sage blanks too, etc.

TDG made a sweet minimalistic rod with just some tiny micro guides and a carbon skinned grip. I was really impressed when I fished it myself. Didn't weigh anything.

I'd say a specialized custom built American rod could probably rival that of Japanese quality if the builder took his time and made his own components.
Nothing stopping you from making your own guides but the materials and time.

[Bebop]

I have been doing rods for many years. I started in the early 70's and one thing I have to say the more time you spend in it the better you get. I like Brians work. Thats nice, but the fancyer you get the more time you will put into the rod. I enjoy doing different things, but because of the orders I get, I keep it simple. If by any chance you need any answers feel free to PM me. Good luck.

[DarkShadow]

But Matagi and best guides and AAA quality cork are brouhaha.
You don't need any of that.

A nice batson blank and some Fuji guides and some AAA cork will run you $100.
You'd be amazed how nice such a rod can fish.
Then you just need someone nice to put it together for you and draw it up how you want it for them. I'm sure they'd rather build an easy minimalistic rod for you than waste all their time marbling it and thread wrapping it up all special anyway. lol

You can always customize cheap fuji reel seats to look special like Japan does it too.
I suppose it's all in how you see it.

Skyler built one of the nicest 6'fly rods I have ever seen straight from Cabella's on a cardboard box and blew me away. Rod fishes great!

My snake wrapped spiral split grip casting 6' rod cost me about $100 and I Could probably slang it for double.
My swimbait rod came out basic, with just an added striper sticker under the finish. $200.. got the best blue zirconium guides for it I could find on this side of the planet and fuji seat and a sick swimbait blank from Rainshadow/Batson. Not to mention the grips length and feel fits me better than something I could have bought because I have a long arm and wanted longer spacing between the split grip. I frequently find swimbait rod grips to be much too short for my liking with little leverage on the big fish.

Just have to give it a try and shape your components how you want. You'd be really surprised.
those cheap baston/forcaster/rainshadow blanks fish very well if you get the right one.
If you need to order Japanese blanks I'd hate to see the trouble you'd go through to return one if you got the wrong one.

Go down to the rod shop and start feeling blanks and tell me you can't find something nice. ;)
They have Sage blanks too, etc.

TDG made a sweet minimalistic rod with just some tiny micro guides and a carbon skinned grip. I was really impressed when I fished it myself. Didn't weigh anything.

I'd say a specialized custom built American rod could probably rival that of Japanese quality if the builder took his time and made his own components.
Nothing stopping you from making your own guides but the materials and time.

TJ,

Didn't even know there Japanese blanks were available. When I've researched what I'd want in a custom rod, the blanks I would've went with are from American companies, GLoomis, St Croix, Lamiglas etc.

My point is, if you're going to custom make a rod, why skimp on the hardware regardless if it 'fishes the same,' although I think I can make the argument that Fuji SiC guides beat hardloys or zirconium.

Since you're building this rod from the ground up, I would see myself spending more money to make the rod look like the way I want it to look, since that is the reason you'd get a custom one made. If i wanted just anything that I could use to catch fish, I'd buy something off the rack.

For custom rods, even the bare minimalistic hardware needs to look aesthetically pleasing. I've seen attempts at 'skeletonizing' a reel seat and handle, and it looks absolutely hideous.

[Chasing Blues]

parkermann2!! Thanks for asking this question and thanks to all who answered. I want to do some rod building and now that I am retired I have lots of time:-) Nice pictures somne of you submitted.