[yknot]

i am thinking of attempting to build my own rod/s. just wondering how much it would cost to get all the needed tools and stuff? i have nothing.
also is there a shop around long beach where i could buy the stuff. any body have a tutorial on how to build a rod.
thanks
Grady

ps saltwater rod just in case it matters

[tackle junkie]

Hey Grady,
I'm in Long Beach and Fisherman's Hardware is on Temple and Anaheim. They've got some stuff in there, not a whole lot but probably enough to get you started. I have a little stand that I started off with made by Gudebrod. It comes with a thread tensioning device and some v-notches that work okay if you want to try it out without spending a lot of money. email me and you can have it if you want.
Jose

[Dohboy]

Get hold of the book "Advanced Custom Rod Building" by Dale P Clemens it will show you all you need to know. know.eBay - dale p clemens, Fishing, Fiction Books items on eBay.com

[pine99]

IMO, I think the cost can very, but if you really plan on doing it for a while, I would go for the nicer wrappers and accessories. If you decide to stick with it your going to want to upgrade to the nicer stuff anyway. Might as well start there!

[yknot]

what is the equipment needed to start building your own rods? how much would this equip be for the beginning person? whats better to get, a how to book or how to video, or both (which do you suggest?)
thanks

[Fuji_Pedler]

Grady,

Look at the second post from the top here titled "Sticky: Rod building materials " for a list.

With a decent hand wrapper, dryer, and the rest of what you'll need short of your rod components, you can expect to spend about $200 for start-up. In fact, we sell a kit with everything you need (even a DVD) for $189 with free shipping. This includes the tools & supplies needed.

As far as Books VS DVD's, it really depends on the kind of rods you want to build and how you process information. Lots of people do better seeing it done VS reading about it.

If you're going to build Saltwater rods, Doc Ski's 2 DVD set is as good as it gets. Almost 3 hours of info on them. For general info, the Flex Coat DVD (the one that comes in the starter kit) shows how to build rods both by hand as well as on power machines. There are quite a few specialty DVD's too like marbling, trim bands, diamond wraps, fly rods, etc...

As for books, Tom Kirkman's "Rod Builders Guide" is a very good starting point covering a lot of subjects and most types of rods. It's also very easy to follow and under $15. Books like Flex Coat's & Gudebrod's (under $5) are very basic, but touch on most of the key points. Again, lots of specialty books on thread art, building specific types of rods, etc...

[yknot]

I have a question? what would you put above corktape? do you use shrink wrap or turks head? if you use shrink wrap do you just buy the tube and cut the size you want? if you use turks head do you use the butt wrap?
also when buying a tip does it matter what the tube lenght is
Thanks
Grady

[baja2na]

Buy an old bbq motor. Spins exactly (almost) 6 to 1 revolutions per minute. Mount it on a wooden base (you figure it out). Next, get some pvc caps (1" or 1 1/2" diameter). Next, purchase a bolt that you can file down so that it will fit the square hole of the bbq motor. It is easy to do, so dont fret. Leave enough threads so you can attach it to the pvc cap with a nut. Drill a hole just big enough in the pvc cap for the bolt to pass through but catches by the head on the inside of the cap. Attach the nut on the other side and tighten down. This pvc cap is your base to insert the rod in.
What I have done in the past is to make up enough pvc caps that will be slightly larger than most rod butts. Yes, you have to file each bolt down and attach it to the pvc cap with a nut. Now, how to hold the rod in the pvc cap. Cut a piece of velcro just long enough so you can wrap it around the pvc cap. It will stick to the pvc cap. Next cut a little bit extra long piece of velcro that adheres to the piece you attached to the pvc cap. Put the rod inside the pvc cap, attach the velcro to the cap and then wrap the rest around the butt rod, firmly, and then leave a little to attach it to the pvc cap again. Dont worry, it holds the rod like a charm and rotates perfectly once you have inserted the filed bolt into the bbq motor opening. Build some sort of rod holder, maybe two or three, out of wood and space them out along the rod.
Yes, you can buy this for about $50 or 60 bucks, but with about $10 for everything, including motor, you will have a rod-drying motor that will do the job. Trust me, I have made tons of rods and have dried them many of them this way. It works, it's cheap, and you made it!
Good luck...if you need more info...email me at chuckleaf123@yahoo.com