Well Ive just begun to realize actually how much harder it is to do a spinning rod opposed to a fly rod. Can some one PLEASE lead me in the right drection...precautions, procedures. I would really like a reference book for this. I read an earlier post about how a custom rod can be matched to only one reel, whats that all about??
PLease reply or e-mail me!!

In the mean while tight wraps,
~Don~ <°)>}}}}}}}}><

Don,
Every reel is different, the weight affects the balance of the rod and the spool diameter affects guide sizing. So when you use two different reels on the same rod you have to meet somewhere in the middle. I'm sure you will get more responses in more detail but that's the condensed version.
Tom

As for actually wrapping the guides on...is it much different than doing so on a fly rod? How about splining the rod, how odes that work on such a big rod.
Thanx,
Don

We're kind of in the same boat because I' ve never done a fly rod but the guides go on the same way. You'll probably find the bigger guides easier to work with. As far as spining it goes, I use a horizontal spine finder but all the usual methods work. If you go with a 2 piece the butt section can be tricky but also not so critical.
Tom

All rods share the same basic construction methods. If you can build a fly rod, then you alread know how to build a spinning rod. I strongly suggest using the New Guide Concept System as outlined in the July/August 2000 issue of RodMaker Magazine and which has been discussed here in length over the past few months. Do a search and you'll uncover a ton of info.

Ask Sammy Mickel how easy and fast it is to set up the system the next time you see him post here. He dropped by the shop last week with a rod he was working on and we set it up in about 3 minutes.

........................................

There may never be that 'one last question' regarding spinning rod building. The spinning rod may, or may not, involve more than a fly rod. A custom rod really should take into account what one would like out of it for improved performance or appearance. Part of this, of course is balancing with the right reel, lure, and line as you might even want to do with any factory rod. The main difference is that in building your own custom rod, it can be fine tuned even better. If this involves matching to the reel, or using a better guide setup then what you end up with is truly 'custom'.

Reference books, videos, and individual rod builder demonstrations are good guides to be sure. With the variation in components and systems to be tried out, I doubt any one 'end-all' source of information will do it, but the fundamentals of technique are universal, such as wrapping and static deflection testing and so forth. The Rod Building Guide has good explanations as to settingup the concept guide system, for example. Nothing is set in stone about particular guide setup, whether conventional or otherwise (spiral wrap, for instance). Perhaps some day a more comprehensive book outlining most of current concepts in rodbuilding may be considered, but I suspect it would outdate in time. A lot also depends on new equipment in fishing and new materials for rodbuilding that simply would have less application by following past trends.

Very good information by competent authors are also written in superb articles of past RodMaker magazine issues for current rod building information. Some very good videos are also out by individual rodbuilders explaining their particular take on how and what to do. A lot of developing your own rodbuilding can be by understanding the fundamentals, trial and error, practice, and testing during the phases of construction. Much already is said on this site about guide placement and some aspects of balance. I doubt that anyone has the absolute final answer for the perfect spinning rod, but they are not particularly difficult to set up as Tom points out.

Rich
Solyrich Custom Rods