Rod building for beginners

[Kaisemurangdai]

Hi all,

I am a new member in Perth and as I have a little spare time at the moment I was thinking about building a rod for the first time. If anyone can can give me advice on where to source compents, books on how to do it, courses, or any of you have built rods before, I would appreciate any input at all.

I thought I would start with a two or three piece bream rod (I know 3 piece would be unusual but thats what I need to fit in the boot of my small car). Besides custom is custom right.

I assume I can get the blanks and components at a variety of local tackle stores although advice on who has the best range would be appreciated.

Most of all I would be interested if anyone knew of local TAFE courses in rod building etc. If any one else is interested in building a rod for the first time also, I figure a problem shared is a problem halved so let me know.

Thanks & regards

Trev

[Pencil]

Hi,

There are a couple of publications around. If you can track down Ian "Barra" Miller's rod crafter magazine that is a good beginner's guide. You may have to contact him via Millerods on the net. Also there is a yankee book you will probably find available through Angus & Robertson, "The Complete Book of Tacklemaking" by C Boydd Pfeifer. There are also books by Dale Clemens. Maybe try at your local library.

Regards

[Kaisemurangdai]

Thanks Pencil,

I went down to my tackle shop this morning a found a book called "Rod Building Guide" by Tom Kirkman. Only just had a flick through it but it looks alright plenty of pictures and a simple text.

I had a couple of blanks and guides and stuff on the table ready to buy, but realised I was having a bit of a rush of blood and just bought the book in the end. I will give it a read then go back and by a few bits and pieces and proceed slowly.

On the way out I bought a new rod (shakespeare synergy), would you believe I needed a bench mark and some soft plastics. So I am going to go and give them a go down at maylands now.

regards

Trev

[mangajack]

G'day Kaisemurangdai,
I commend you on your willingness to learn how to roll your own rods and it is quite a simple process once you learn the little tricks to avoid mishaps.
I have been making my own rods foir the last 20 years or more and i find it hard now to locate a rod off the shelf that is suitable for what i intend it for. Custom building rods is a well learned art espescially when you can see a blank and know that to cut this amount off the tip and that amount off the butt will produce exactly what you desire. It takes time to gain that confidence and the only way is to start doing it yourself.

Things to look out for in blanks are basically that its "backbone" is well defined and not twisting around the blank. It's action is what you desire it to be judging how much it will in fact "soften" when you have finished the rod. And lastly that the blank has not been stored laying down or leant against a peg for a long time giving it a bend throughout its length.

As for guides and tips it will come down to your preferences and what the rod will be used for. For general light spin work i like to use geniune Fuji equipment throughout as it has the history of good quality. My choice for up to 8lb spin rods is a bsvlg #25 stripper guide then a selection of single foot guides "blvog" down to a "bpot" tip. Try and keep the inserts at a minimum of aluminium oxide quality, with silicon nitride a tad better thru to cermet the best.

Use a good quality sealer immediately after finishing a bind and neatening it up before you proceed to another bind. Once all bindings have been completed and sealed allow to dry overnight before applying a good quality 2 part epoxy coating. Be prepared to have the rod rotating slowly for about 4 hours for the epoxy to set without lumps. I generally use two coats to acheive my required finish.

Hope this helps a little and if you have any questions please dont hesitate to pm me.

Tony.

[mangajack]

Here is a good site by fuji australia with Ian Miller rod building recipes there also. Well worth the look.

http://www.fujitackle.com.au/education.htm

Tony.

[bubba]

Heya mate,
Anything by Ian Miller is almost the bible for Aussie rod builders but there is also some fantastic articles in Modern Fishing and Fishing World back issues on various blanks and the setup for them.
If you want to get right into it Bluewater used to have a specialist rodbuilder (was Barry) that was always happy to help put you on the right track.
I got to the stage of even building a rotisorie to spin them on when binding and drying.
I always found it was a good idea to know what you actually wanted to build before starting and then work to a budget you could afford.
There are some great cheap blanks and some horrid expensive ones.
Another thing I used to do was get old rods with broken eyes etc (Cash coverters was good for this) for $10-15 and then rebuild them to what you wanted.
But again. Ian Miller.. Ian Miller.. Ian Miller :) Maybe with the odd Jack Erskine article

Regards

Nathan

[Kaisemurangdai]

Thanks,

For the advice, encouragement and help guys. I have read my new book from cover to cover, and as a result, now have learn't more about fishing rods than I new existed.

I am going to start with a two piece light spinning rod, I was in my local tackle shop yesterday but they didn't really have any economy priced two piece blanks. So I will try somewhere else in the next few days.

Does anyone know who the best stockist of rod making equipment is and are there any specialist rod making shops in Perth.

Just as an aside over the last couple of days I fished Garret Rd Bridge, Tranby and Maylands tennis club, I have used soft plastics, water melon, motor oil, and hard body sneaky scorpion, and flathead lures. Not even a bite,! heres hoping it improves.

At Tranby at the moment there is a performance of "On Our Selection" making parking impossible in the afternoon, so anyone heading there go early.

Thanks and regards

Trev

Hey guys
This is good, i've been waiting for someone to ask this question!!!
Ive got an old rod which i'm in love with. Ican't help it, the blank is perfect for me.
The problem is, the guides have broken, or corroded legs.:mad:
I'm going to rebuild it, as i've already replaced it, and want a second rod aswell.
Where would i go to see someone who will give genuine, good advice on the subject, in perth?
Thanx Guys

[Cindy]

Hi!
Just want to add that if you get a copy of Fishing World's 2002 August and Sept. issue, Steve Ross has written a beginner's 2 part guide on rodbuilding. He also is the monthly rod columnist for the mag and you'll find plenty of recipes and how to each month.
He has alot of experience in the rodbuilding arena including head rodbuilder for Loomis AUstralia. As of 2003, Loomis are importing all rods (new policy due to new company owner) and Steve is now designing and building rods for Black Diamond Tailored Rods.

Hope you have fun building your new rods!
Cheers,
Cindy

[Kaisemurangdai]

Thanks for the helpful information Cindy. If anyone is still following this discussion I have built my V blocks, actually I will have to photograph them as they were easy to build and work well. I also tied my first few whippings last night and am very pleased with them, so tonight we start the rod. If anyone wants to follow the procedure, and the trials and tribulations let me know and I will run a commentary if not I will post the pics when I am finished.

Regards

Trev

[jm0771]

Hey Trev

Hows that rod coming along.I am in the process of setting up for a build and was wondering what blank,guides,grip etc your using.Also where did you get the components.

[Matt Ireland]

hey all
i finished my own rod a little while back, its on a samurai 001 blank, fuji alconite guides, cork grips, fuji seat. It seems great but i would reaklly like to get someone who knows more about rodbuilding than i do to have a few casts and catch a fish with it and see what they think. I wouldnt mind having a play with my guide placement and see if it can be improved at all

anyway, if anyone wants any more details i can post the exact guide sizes, models spacings etc. and also what seat i used.


Matt

[LakeConjolaFish]

Hello,

www.mudhole.com

Is a terrific site and although its based in the US they have a wealth of information on there and also have a 3-5 day daily delivery to OZ.

[jm0771]

Hey Matt

I would like to see the details if you could post them.I dont know about the guide placement on your rod but if I wasn't 100% happy I would change it.Did you use a chart or try taping the guides on and testing different positions.Any info would be great.

Thanks

[Kaisemurangdai]

Hi JM,

The rod is going ok, I decided to build a two peice 7'6" spinning rod. I wanted to stay fairley cheap so used basic fuji gear which I bought from Bluewater in Morely. They have a pretty reasonable range. I have checked out most tackle shops North of the river if you live North let me know where you are and I will see if I know one near you.

Matt, I would love to see all the details on your rod and a Picture if possible. I am keen to see any rod projects people have going or have finished recently.

I have a spreadsheet of some casting analysis I have done today on guide placement. I tried to post it on the site but it doesn't allow XLS extensions. If anyone wants to see what a difference which plane you mount the guides in send me your email in a PM and I will send you the spreadsheet analysis I did today. It is pretty interesting (really it is)