Well it's time for me to finally learn how to build my own rods. I know the fall run is going on and I am very occupied with it but I figure this is the winter is going to be the one where I start building and I should start preparing now. I know very little about the process and am going to need everyones advice. What will I need, where I can get it, how much it will cost, how long rods take to produce, tricks of the trade,good instructional books and videos and anything else you think i might need to know.
First Time Rod Builder
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
It's the beginning of the end for you. I started last Christmas/Newyears and the rodwrapper didn't come off the dining room table until July 4th. Check out Tom Kirkmans book. This site is a great place to learn as you go. Capt. Neal has an answer for everything and is very helpful.
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10,661 Posts
Hi,
Welcome to out passion!!!!!!!! It can be worse than getting hooked on fishing.
It is soooo sweet to catch fish on a custom rod that you built for yourself.
What equipment you purchase will depend upon your budget, how deep into it you want to get, how much time you have, how many rods you hope to build. You can keep it simple or make it as complicated as you want. It is a craft well fitted for fellows who are machinists. They can make many of their tools. Same for wood workers.
If you frequent a tackle shop that builds custom rods I am sure they will be a great help to you, especially if you order components from them.
If you would like to see what it is about you are welcome to spend a couple hours in my shop. I have a dirty shop for grinding cork and synthetic grips. Also used for glueing up grips and reel seats. My main shop is a clean shop for wrapping and applying epoxy finish. Also contains a drying box in which to rotate the rods.
Gee, sounds like I should give private lessons. Ha!!! LOL!!! I have kicked around the idea of adult ed or something like that.
Anyway, If I can be of help just ask.
Capt Neil
Welcome to out passion!!!!!!!! It can be worse than getting hooked on fishing.
It is soooo sweet to catch fish on a custom rod that you built for yourself.
What equipment you purchase will depend upon your budget, how deep into it you want to get, how much time you have, how many rods you hope to build. You can keep it simple or make it as complicated as you want. It is a craft well fitted for fellows who are machinists. They can make many of their tools. Same for wood workers.
If you frequent a tackle shop that builds custom rods I am sure they will be a great help to you, especially if you order components from them.
If you would like to see what it is about you are welcome to spend a couple hours in my shop. I have a dirty shop for grinding cork and synthetic grips. Also used for glueing up grips and reel seats. My main shop is a clean shop for wrapping and applying epoxy finish. Also contains a drying box in which to rotate the rods.
Gee, sounds like I should give private lessons. Ha!!! LOL!!! I have kicked around the idea of adult ed or something like that.
Anyway, If I can be of help just ask.
Capt Neil
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40 Posts
Wife & the time you spend w/ her
Hope your not married !!!!! LOL.
I have some stuff I built a while ago.
I'd be more then happy to lend it to you before you spend money on something you don't like doing.
Joe
Hope your not married !!!!! LOL.
I have some stuff I built a while ago.
I'd be more then happy to lend it to you before you spend money on something you don't like doing.
Joe
Ask anyone and everyone
Ack,
I just started as well a few weeks ago. I've already built 3 rods. I spent most of my time reading and asking people like Capt Neil for advice. I picked up Dale P. Clemens' FIBERGLASS ROD MAKING book. It goes from the basics to the complex... from what ive read about his other books, people seem to like the first one the best. As far as materials, I bought everything off EBAY and a few things from local shops. Im up on the north shore..Terminal Tackle has almost everything you could need. But I would suggest speaking with Steve from BOB's Bait and tackle in amityville. He does great work and has all the rod components you would need for any rod..Also he wont shaft you and sell you something you wouldnt need. Two things i suggest you buy right from the start.
1. a slow speed motor. Your wrists will thank you. If you try the method in the clemens book(wrapping while holding the rod) your arms will fall off.
2. a key to getting a great finish is a higher speed motor..some guys like 100 rpm...others say 30 is fine..i bought a 40 rpm one off ebay for 21.50 its perfect.
As far as books, there are tons on wrapping and the like. But for just staight out instructions..pick up the flex coat book. its like 6 bucks..it will give you step by step instructions.
Like i said i bought basically everything off ebay, if you look in the sporting goods- fishing sections youll find hundreds of things..just price some stuff out before you bid. I could give you the names of the guys i bought from..everything has been great from them.
Here's a list of stuff i bought to start.
1.Thread- Gudebrod..either NCP or NYLON
2.Epoxy- Flex Coat or u-40 THIN FORMULA
3.Epoxy GLUE--not the same stuff as the finish
4.Brushes- sable are suppose to be the best. best bet is just get disposable one.they are fine. for finishing use a good brush. acetone will remove the residue.
5.masking tape- use a good kind. 3m .5"
use it for bushings.Under the reel seat
6. exacto knife...razor blades
Hope this helps...
Good Luck!!!
oh almost forgot...GET CHEAPIE BLANKS TO PRACTICE ON!!! your gonna mess up here and there..i bought a few lamiglass blems from mudhole to practice with. And just keep reading asking people. youll pick it up in no time. Have fun!
Ack,
I just started as well a few weeks ago. I've already built 3 rods. I spent most of my time reading and asking people like Capt Neil for advice. I picked up Dale P. Clemens' FIBERGLASS ROD MAKING book. It goes from the basics to the complex... from what ive read about his other books, people seem to like the first one the best. As far as materials, I bought everything off EBAY and a few things from local shops. Im up on the north shore..Terminal Tackle has almost everything you could need. But I would suggest speaking with Steve from BOB's Bait and tackle in amityville. He does great work and has all the rod components you would need for any rod..Also he wont shaft you and sell you something you wouldnt need. Two things i suggest you buy right from the start.
1. a slow speed motor. Your wrists will thank you. If you try the method in the clemens book(wrapping while holding the rod) your arms will fall off.
2. a key to getting a great finish is a higher speed motor..some guys like 100 rpm...others say 30 is fine..i bought a 40 rpm one off ebay for 21.50 its perfect.
As far as books, there are tons on wrapping and the like. But for just staight out instructions..pick up the flex coat book. its like 6 bucks..it will give you step by step instructions.
Like i said i bought basically everything off ebay, if you look in the sporting goods- fishing sections youll find hundreds of things..just price some stuff out before you bid. I could give you the names of the guys i bought from..everything has been great from them.
Here's a list of stuff i bought to start.
1.Thread- Gudebrod..either NCP or NYLON
2.Epoxy- Flex Coat or u-40 THIN FORMULA
3.Epoxy GLUE--not the same stuff as the finish
4.Brushes- sable are suppose to be the best. best bet is just get disposable one.they are fine. for finishing use a good brush. acetone will remove the residue.
5.masking tape- use a good kind. 3m .5"
use it for bushings.Under the reel seat
6. exacto knife...razor blades
Hope this helps...
Good Luck!!!
oh almost forgot...GET CHEAPIE BLANKS TO PRACTICE ON!!! your gonna mess up here and there..i bought a few lamiglass blems from mudhole to practice with. And just keep reading asking people. youll pick it up in no time. Have fun!
Joined
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10,661 Posts
WaistDeep
Hi,
Excellent response which took quite a bit of time to type in. Thank you.
If I could add these;
U-40 makes a semi paste 2 part epoxy for installing seats and grips. It works!!!! Being semi paste the epoxy does not run or drip. Cleans up easy with a paper towel and 91% isopropyl alcohol.
Try these 2 books;
Advanced Custom Rod Building by Dale Clemens, Has a good u-make-it tool and jig section along with more rod building info then I can ever use.
Rod-Building Guide by Tom Kirkman. Newest book on market. www.amatobooks.com.
I agree with you regarding Terminal Tackle and Steve at Bobs Amity Harbor B&T. Let me add more;
Flynn's LI Rod Crafting, Wantagh, 516-785-2328. Has Calstar blanks.
Capt. T's B&T, Bayport, 631-472-0302, has a wall show case of great selection of guides.
J&J Sports, Patchogue, 631-654-2311, Lamiglas blanks, guides and thread, surf center.
Stan's Fishing Stop, Rocky Point, use to give rod building lessons.
J&R, Oakdale, Pac Bay and others.
All the above shops build custom rods and are a good place to purchase/order components and also know how info.
There are many more such shops on LI and also custom rod builders that will help you. The above shops are in my area and I am more familiar with them.
Capt Neil
Hi,
Excellent response which took quite a bit of time to type in. Thank you.
If I could add these;
U-40 makes a semi paste 2 part epoxy for installing seats and grips. It works!!!! Being semi paste the epoxy does not run or drip. Cleans up easy with a paper towel and 91% isopropyl alcohol.
Try these 2 books;
Advanced Custom Rod Building by Dale Clemens, Has a good u-make-it tool and jig section along with more rod building info then I can ever use.
Rod-Building Guide by Tom Kirkman. Newest book on market. www.amatobooks.com.
I agree with you regarding Terminal Tackle and Steve at Bobs Amity Harbor B&T. Let me add more;
Flynn's LI Rod Crafting, Wantagh, 516-785-2328. Has Calstar blanks.
Capt. T's B&T, Bayport, 631-472-0302, has a wall show case of great selection of guides.
J&J Sports, Patchogue, 631-654-2311, Lamiglas blanks, guides and thread, surf center.
Stan's Fishing Stop, Rocky Point, use to give rod building lessons.
J&R, Oakdale, Pac Bay and others.
All the above shops build custom rods and are a good place to purchase/order components and also know how info.
There are many more such shops on LI and also custom rod builders that will help you. The above shops are in my area and I am more familiar with them.
Capt Neil
First time builder
Cruel- cruel- aditicting another person, you should feel ashamed- dont listen to them avoid the aditiction, once started it becomes impossible to stop-your life becomes a living **** always thinking about that next rod and how you can make it better, using vacation time to attend seminars, soon you become good enough to start teaching at seminars- a lifelong passion.
Hey Cap you going to the conclave this year or the New England seminar
John
Cruel- cruel- aditicting another person, you should feel ashamed- dont listen to them avoid the aditiction, once started it becomes impossible to stop-your life becomes a living **** always thinking about that next rod and how you can make it better, using vacation time to attend seminars, soon you become good enough to start teaching at seminars- a lifelong passion.
Hey Cap you going to the conclave this year or the New England seminar
John
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Hi John,
Good to get your post!
Everything you say is true. You forgot to add all the great people you meet that become good friends!!!!!
The Florida Seminar with all the "dinosaurs" in attendence really tempted me.
I would still like to go to the North West and do Lamiglas.
How some ever!! Yes, I will be attending the New England Seminar in January. This might become a bi yearly event sooooooo i might get to the 2004 Conclave. I have been wanting to go to a Conclave for the past 2 years but there is always limitations on everything I do.
Hope the sun is shinning upon you. We are in the middle of a noreaster. Haven't been able to get out fishing in 3 weeks. Was due to be on the Shinne**** Star today. Some nice big fluke are still being taken when you can get outside the inlets. White chin is showing up. A couple big tods have been caught already.
Stay healthy.
Neil
Good to get your post!
Everything you say is true. You forgot to add all the great people you meet that become good friends!!!!!
The Florida Seminar with all the "dinosaurs" in attendence really tempted me.
I would still like to go to the North West and do Lamiglas.
How some ever!! Yes, I will be attending the New England Seminar in January. This might become a bi yearly event sooooooo i might get to the 2004 Conclave. I have been wanting to go to a Conclave for the past 2 years but there is always limitations on everything I do.
Hope the sun is shinning upon you. We are in the middle of a noreaster. Haven't been able to get out fishing in 3 weeks. Was due to be on the Shinne**** Star today. Some nice big fluke are still being taken when you can get outside the inlets. White chin is showing up. A couple big tods have been caught already.
Stay healthy.
Neil
Thanks
Thanks everyone for your responces! You guys have already helped more than you know. Captain Neil I would love to take you up on your offer but I just won't have the time anytime soon, but would definatly like to in the future. I figure I won't start anything until late november so until then I hope your all ready for massive amounts of questions! I see a lot of motorized rod wrappers which are about 7 to 8 feet long, I am mainly a surf fisherman and generally the rods I am interested in are longer than 8 feet. I thought to myself hey I can just turn the rod around to do the other end but it doesn't appear possible with the chuck, is it possible to use these wrappers to build rods in excess of the wrappers length? I am also having trouble finding a finishing setup with rpms of 30 and higher, where should i look? (All of my equipment hunting has been on the internet so far)
Thanks everyone for your responces! You guys have already helped more than you know. Captain Neil I would love to take you up on your offer but I just won't have the time anytime soon, but would definatly like to in the future. I figure I won't start anything until late november so until then I hope your all ready for massive amounts of questions! I see a lot of motorized rod wrappers which are about 7 to 8 feet long, I am mainly a surf fisherman and generally the rods I am interested in are longer than 8 feet. I thought to myself hey I can just turn the rod around to do the other end but it doesn't appear possible with the chuck, is it possible to use these wrappers to build rods in excess of the wrappers length? I am also having trouble finding a finishing setup with rpms of 30 and higher, where should i look? (All of my equipment hunting has been on the internet so far)
First time builder
a couple of thoughts-as a beginner I think I would start with something simple as a wrapping jig, don't invest a large sum until you are sure you like it, most of the better comercial wrapper-lathes come with additional bedding which will enable you to extend the bed to any length, but they take a lot of room if you go that way. turning motors come as high as 200 rpm(flex coat)Try all electronics or other electrial dealers found on line for your motor needs, cost less then buying from dealers.
John
a couple of thoughts-as a beginner I think I would start with something simple as a wrapping jig, don't invest a large sum until you are sure you like it, most of the better comercial wrapper-lathes come with additional bedding which will enable you to extend the bed to any length, but they take a lot of room if you go that way. turning motors come as high as 200 rpm(flex coat)Try all electronics or other electrial dealers found on line for your motor needs, cost less then buying from dealers.
John
ACK96... WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!!
Just to add my .02...I second the recommendation on the book by Tom Kirkman,a great beginners guide. There are also 2 other great sites besides this one where you can checkout more info on this subject. They are: WWW.RODBUILDERS.ORG and WWW.STRIPERSONLINE.COM. If you search the archives of these 3 sites, you should be able to answer most of the basic questions you will have. GOOD LUCK!!!
Just to add my .02...I second the recommendation on the book by Tom Kirkman,a great beginners guide. There are also 2 other great sites besides this one where you can checkout more info on this subject. They are: WWW.RODBUILDERS.ORG and WWW.STRIPERSONLINE.COM. If you search the archives of these 3 sites, you should be able to answer most of the basic questions you will have. GOOD LUCK!!!
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ack96
Hi,
First let me apologize for missing your post of 10-16.
Let me add www.rodguild.com
My mentor, Al Goldberg, is the moderator on the SOL board, Stripers on line board.
My original rod lathe was a Rod Smith. I think Pac Bay made them available. They are available from most catalogs. If you check the left side boards of rodguild.com and rodbuilding.org you will find a ghreat list of catalog suppliers. Some will have the price of the Rod Smith listed. The bed comes in 4' lengths. so you can add the 3rd piece to make a surf rod and remove it when not needed.
For my drying operation I use Flexcoat motors at 18 rpm. They work just fine. I apply the finish while the rod is chucked in my Clemens lathe. I like to vary the speed while applying finish epoxy.
Static deflection is basically finding where the blank wants to come to rest with a load (fish) on it. Very easy to do and easier to show than write about.
I just learned I have my 3 tables at the Lindenhurst Fishermans Flea Market on Sat Nov 30. I will have spine finders with me and would like to show you how easy it is to find the spine.
The invitation to stop by is open ended.
This invite applies to all interested. Just call me in advance.
The correst term is spine. I was told spline was a typo error when the book was published.
I hope I got to all the questions.
Capt Neil
Hi,
First let me apologize for missing your post of 10-16.
Let me add www.rodguild.com
My mentor, Al Goldberg, is the moderator on the SOL board, Stripers on line board.
My original rod lathe was a Rod Smith. I think Pac Bay made them available. They are available from most catalogs. If you check the left side boards of rodguild.com and rodbuilding.org you will find a ghreat list of catalog suppliers. Some will have the price of the Rod Smith listed. The bed comes in 4' lengths. so you can add the 3rd piece to make a surf rod and remove it when not needed.
For my drying operation I use Flexcoat motors at 18 rpm. They work just fine. I apply the finish while the rod is chucked in my Clemens lathe. I like to vary the speed while applying finish epoxy.
Static deflection is basically finding where the blank wants to come to rest with a load (fish) on it. Very easy to do and easier to show than write about.
I just learned I have my 3 tables at the Lindenhurst Fishermans Flea Market on Sat Nov 30. I will have spine finders with me and would like to show you how easy it is to find the spine.
The invitation to stop by is open ended.
This invite applies to all interested. Just call me in advance.
The correst term is spine. I was told spline was a typo error when the book was published.
I hope I got to all the questions.
Capt Neil
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