Mike like others have said if your building to save money you wont. Comparing a factory rod to a custom is not a fair comparison, I just repalced a guide on a St croix factory rod, believe me if I did my guide as slpoppy as the factory I would be ashamed of myself. So if you r building to save money get out now, but if quality and performance is important build away. Years ago I fished with a guy who always used top shelf products when I ask why he told me he would out fish me 2 to 1
using quality equiptment, It was humbleing to fish with him. So if you think a factory rod is as good as custom by all means use a factory rod, but they are not even close.

"Although my questions may seem simple to some, not asking them would make me simple."

So I am sitting at home fixing to shell out $275 for a GL3 6 wt fly rod when I turn a few pages in my *}{@# catalog and discover that I can build it myself using very good components for $160. I guess what everybody is suggesting is that I should have spent that extra $115 on even better components? Or, maybe Loomis has a higher mark up on factory rods, but I was going to pay it just like a ton of other fishermen do every day. However, I got brave and decided to build it myself since rod building was something I have wanted to do for a long time. I have fished with this rod and it fishes quite nicely. The line seems to slide through the TiCH guides as if it were coated with hot butter. And it looks very nice with Chestnut thread and copper trim bands on a mahogany blank. I did the static test and the Forhan locking wrap on all the single foot guides. I took my time with the finish ensuring it wasn’t too thick or to thin or football shaped. The end result was a very nice rod that I assembled with my own hands. The savings was simply an extra bonus. The many hours of reading, thought , and detail that went into this rod were free. Time I might have otherwise wasted in front of the TV.

I guess we all march to a different beat. I am totally happy with my latest rods by Rainshadow and DanCraft. Say what you will but the RS is comparable to the GL3 and the Dancraft is comparable to the Sage. When all is said and done I will still have saved some dough, and will have some extraordinary rods to boot. Maybe they aren’t museum pieces, but they will fish well.

Right on -- Mike

But don't you guys think in many instances it is possible to save money by building though? I am still very much a novice at this but several of the rods I have built for $50 to $100 blow away any production rod in that price range. I have built mainly fly rods and built several on Batson's forecast blanks and then used quality but reasonably priced components and it just amazes me (and friends I have built for) what nice rods they are. I do realize that when you build you are supplying many hours of your own time but if you enjoy the craft then those hours are well spent and cheap (to you).
Just my opinion
Greg

Greg, I think you missed the point What most are saying is that you generally can't build the same rod for less money (i.e., duplicate a factory St. Croix, etc) You can definately build as good or better performing rod than many more expensive factory rods. Their are many excellant blanks available to the builder that equal or surpass many high priced "name brand" rods

Mike

Yes I see that now Mike. I just skimmed some of the prior posts. Long day.
Greg