Hi, guys

I received my first order just a couple of days ago. As I live in Spain, it takes some days orders to arrive and, since this is the first time I'll try to build a rod, I'd like to be sure I have all what I'll need before I'll begin. Otherwise, first experience can also be the first fiasco. I've ordered some books too (Tom's "Rod Building Guide" and Clemens' "Advanced Custom Rod Building" and "Custom Thread Art"). They've not still arrived.

I'd like you to confirm that all I've ordered is enought to finish the job before I'll begin (order made to Mud Hole):

- Guide Tubing (3 references, covering from 6/64" to 39/64")
- Mixing cups and sticks
- Rod building accessory kit:
* Flexcoat rod finish kit (with syringues, brushes,...)
* U-40 Rod Bond
* Gudebrod nylon thread, size A, 100 yd
* HT Metallic thread, size A, 100 yd
- 4 x Holiday Special Rod Building Kits
* blank
* Rubber butt cap
* Cork rear & foregrips
* graphite reeel seat
* hook keeper
* Finish epoxy package - 2 parts (Pac Bay)
* Glue epoxy package - 2 parts (Pac Bay)
* Nylon thread (D) and Metallic thread (A size), 100 yd each
* guides set
* black ruber winding check
- Table clamp rod wrapper

I followed your advices and I bought 4 cheap rod building kits (29,95 USD each!!!) to learn building them.

I think I've all necssary, but let me be sure!!.

Thanks,


Daniel






Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2005 04:38AM by Daniel Rotea.

Hi, Rich,

I'm planning to have a Pac Bay wrapper (in the range you said), although I'm trying to get information about if I'll be able of working from 220V ac. I've heard this is a very good wrapper.

Answering to your second question, there was just darkness before the Internet!!

Things have changed quite a lot in the past ten years. Can you imagine your live without a movile phone?. I try to live without it but it's unfortunatelly impossible.

On the other hand, there is nothing like "seeing it by yourself". In fact, I'm sytudying the possibiliti of going to the National Rod Builders Show. It will be difficult, because it's a little far from Spain, but I think this is the best way to learn.

I would suggest you build a few rods before you spend $300 on a rod wrapper, there are several kinds and you need a little expierence to get and idea of exactly which kind you want. some features you need and some you may not.

Hi, Jim,

Of course, you are right.As I said, I'm just 'planning' at this moment. But as far as we're an small tackle store, we would like to offer custom rods to our customers. This market doe not exist in Spain and we will not buy any wrapper till we will see if this works or not, although I'll build my own rods for myself, with or without wrapper.

And, as I said, I'll have to see if I can use them or adapt them to be used at 220V ac. As you said, I need still a lot of experience to know required features.

Danial; When you are ready to get into a Machine. You might want to look at Buying the parts you need and use a Motor that is compatable with your power Supply

Build your own

Went over your list quickly, and the only things I notice that might be missing (unless they are included in one or more of the kits you ordered) are:

arbors or bushings of some type to fit the reel seat to the blank (masking or drywall tape can be used, but graphite arbors or Flex-Coat arbors are better)

some miscellaneous things such as an X-Acto blade or single-edge razor blades, but such items can be obtained elsewhere.

Yes, Barry, this is one of the possibilities I thought. But i don't discard to buy it already built if power supply is transformed from 110ac to 12cc (for example), so I just must to change the transformer. Another solution shouldbe changing just the motor, although I would also have problems with speed control.

But let's see specification first. And, as Jim said, it will take still some time...

I got one of those $70 flex coat hand wrappers and a $20 drying motor (MudHole) when I started a couple years ago.

They still serve me well.

I'm only wrapping about 10 rods a year, so for me, it's more of a hobby than a job.

Another thing you are likely to need is a set of reamers to enlarge the inside hole of the cork handles so they fit the blank. You can buy those or (cheaply and easily) make your own from sections of old rods, grit (you can buy from the suppliers) and epoxy.

I can't see a motorized rod wrapper being a necessity, even commercially. A simple stand with a couple of thread tensioners is all you need.

denatured alcohol and something to wipe the spills or wayward adhesive rod bond.

eric
fresno, ca.

Daniel well done mate, you now can spend late nights swearing and cursing like I do.
check your email

Daniel, I built a rod wrapping jig some years ago with a piece of 8' timber about 5" wide and 1/2 thick. On each side I used two piece of aluminium angle and attached them to each side of the base. I then cut out 3 pieces of timber and attached 3 coaster wheels to each. These supports fitted inside the base board and were held by the aluminium angle. They are fully adjustable and can be slid into any position you want. I also rigged up a microwave oven motor and switch to one end. This simple rack is easy to used and can be used for your rod building and turning whilst applying the epoxy. This is a very inexpensive way to start and will last for years until you reach a stage where you can afford to go further.

Regards
Mark
Broken Hill. Australia.