Hi all
I am hoping to draw on the experience of any builders who may have built a drift rod for center pin use . The blank I`m looking to buy is the Rainshadow RX7 IST 1384F ,11FT./6IN. I would like to know how many corks I`ll need to buy . I`ve been told that 11 would be good for the butt grip , but I have no idea about the number for the fore grip .

Also , any recommendations for the amount of guides , size of guides , and type of guides that I should consider ?

Although I`m not a total newbie when it comes to rollin` my own , this will be my first drift rod , hence my cluelessness . So , any , and all help will be greatly appreciated .

Cheers Brian

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2005 06:55PM by Moderator.

Brian,

It sounds like you're using a fixed seat. If you know you're reel position and the balance of the rod, then you can go with a fixed seat. If you'r enew to the 'pin, I'd suggest a sliding rings seat. I prefer my reel to be well forward of center on my pins. Some guys like to have more rod sticking out and hold farther up the grip.

If you're set on using a fixed grip, then I'd suggest you put the reel in the middle of the grip and go with about 20" total. That's 4" for a seat and 16" of grip. That's 32 rings total.

For guides, there are a bunch of options. Classically, 'pin guys use the match frame (M-frame) extra high frame spinning guides. I've seen that the Fuji concept guides work just as well and are a bunch lighter. The guys who you m-frames normally go with one each size from #20 down to #4 and then #4 the rest of the way. You can have bigger rings and lighter weight by using alconite #25-#8 C(B)YAG guides and then a bunch of #6 or #6 C(B)LAG guides to the tip. Even better are SiC. The best are Ti framed SiC in the new TATSG. They are incredibly light. I have a 13' Talon here with TATSG's (#25-#8) and TLAG (i think ?) #7's and the rod is incredibly light. Awesome guides if you don't abuse your rods.

Thanks,
Rick