For casting rods I will do the O'Quinn method and at least try to get the straightest path I can. For trolling rods I will do a simple revolver method and spiral around in two guides...fast & easy. Do a deflection test for the remaining 180 guides.

Jay

Unless you are going to cast the rod all day like maybe a bass fisherman, that works.
They are easy to set up with that expensive tool " fly tip section " LOL

Paul, I didn't mean to jump in your post and ask my own questions, but hopefully you will gain from it. I understand the basic concepts and methods created. My question is specifically, do you find that your guide spacing is progressive to the tip? Do your transition guides get spaced as if it were conventionally built, or can they be closer then normal spacing. I am looking for a starting point. I am sure I will know right from wrong once I get the guides on and load the rod. I just need a general starting point at which to put the guides. Thus my question if I can set up the rod conventionally, and move the running guides to 180* and manipulate the last 3 (+/-) guides inclduing the stripper guide to become my transition guides?

Go to st croix's site and use one of there charts, just to start with

Bill, I am not a newby and can layout a conventional rod without issue or question. For spiral wrapping, I am a newbie! My question is on laying out the guide spacing for a spiral wrap, which I can't imagine can be found on St. Croixs site?! I just want to know if the guide spacing on a spiral wrapped rod is similar to a spiral, with the obvious exceptions? I am meerly looking for a starting point or general observation of the guide spacing compared to that of a conventionally built rod. Thanks!

I did not mean to say you were a newbee. But for a starting place. The blank and line will tell you after that where the guides go Got to start some place Use a casting rod maybe plus one more guide
Do you have the artical from Rodmaker. It's a good one. Think there are two of them

No Bill, I don't have that article. I am waiting on the next issue that is supposed to have another spiral article in it. In the mean time, I have 3 blanks coming next week that I intend on building spiral. I have read countless posts and done several searches. I even have a good idea of the different methods and ideas behind each. The question I am still trying to answer is whether or not the guide spacing is similar to a conventionally built rod? I understand that a deflection test will dictate exact location as it does for conventional methods. Having not held, fished, or even seen one in person, I am simply trying to get a better idea of what a typical rod looks like. In particular the guide spacing!

If you can get the back issue and the artical by Ralph O'Quinn.Very good

Shawn

I put my butt guide in the normal position and make the transition to the underside in 8.5 inches using 1 transition guide set at 90 degrees. I started with the tip top and worked my way back until I was in range of a transition zone. I tried several setups and this seemed to work best.

Bill, thanks anyway! Rich, I appreciate the heads up. From what I understand, putting the guides at 90* can be an issue in certain applications. Regardless, I follow you on your methods. That said, it would sound like your set up does not follow similar progressive spacing one would use in buiding a conventional rod. Thanks.