Thread: Rod Building

I was wondering how to start rod building. Do I buy dvd's on how to do it? What supplies do I need and how much would it cost? Does it take a while to learn?

Thanks

Caution, rod building can quickly get out of hand. You will soon be coming up with all sorts of reasons to build another rod. A rod for morning kings, a rod for afternoon kings, a rod for when it rains... you get the idea.
You can start with the catalog from Mudhole, which has good beginner instructions and starter kits. You can build a good rod, if not pretty, the first time. A trip to J&M to talk to JG and a trip to the Rod Room to talk to Kathy are also good steps in getting started.
Here is the link to Mudhole Custom Fishing Rod Building & Tackle Crafting Supply | mudhole.com.

Still the quinessential book on custom rod building...


The New Advanced Custom Rod Building: Dale P. Clemens: 9780832904363: Amazon.com: Books

Look to spend $300+ on the equipment and tools to get started. If you decide to do it let me know and I will pass along some of the tips I wish I would have had when I built my first few rods.

I've ordered that book pier#r suggested and have a DVD on the way to learn about it before I buy a wrapper and all the supplies. If I am interested in it should I start with a hand wrapper instead of a power wrapper? I heard the power wrapper makes things much easier but it comes with a steep price.

Power wrappers are great for long under wraps and a few other things but not needed to build a good rod. You will definitely need a drying motor and at least one support for your finish

Also, that book is one of the best investments you will make when starting out.

You can pick up a hand wrapper and a drying motor from The Rood Room for under $200 that's where I got everything I needed to get started.

You don't have to spend near that much, especially just starting out.
I still use (occasionally) the rod wrap setup my buddy David Durant helped me with 30 years ago.

The rod rollers are old plastic TV tray wheels mounted on pieces of 4X4 nailed to a stand.
RodRollers.jpg

And the thread holder is just two pieces of 1"X with a piece of plywood with two 1/4" bolts screwed thru and some lock nuts holding the springs in place for tension.
The thread runs thru one of the 4 eye screws mounted on the lower deck.
ThreadHolder2.jpg

The dryer motor is an old bar-b-que rotissere motor with an old drill chuck on the end.
DryerMotor.jpg

All together the parts cost about $15, the rest was scrap and 'junk' ;-)
I wrapped many a rod and repaired even more with this setup and even did some weaves with it.
BigBlackSeeker.jpg GreenRods_r.jpg

Hope this helps!

If you have any questions pertaining to the construction of a rod, or building your own wrapper, feel free to shoot me a pm and I will be glad to answer your questions