I got 5wt and 7wt Dan Craft 10ft FT-blanks and started to build them into switch rods.
I'm absolutely unexperienced with static guide placement.
Who has build on these blanks and can give me his favorite guide placement?
How similar is the action of the 5wt and the 7wt? Can I use the same placement for both rods?
Thanks!
Stefan

Stefan,
In the search engine, select authors, put in Bob Meiser, he left a guide spacing for the 7 wt. It's your rods, you can space them anyway you want, but I wouldn't space them the same.
The static test isn't difficult, nor does it take any equipment really. My first couple of rods I held in place by closing them in a drawer, tied a string around a heavy book(s), attached the line to the tip top,moving the book to tighten the line will put tension on the rod blank, and set the guides on the blank, adjust them to what you like by running another non tensioned string thru them. Real simple, takes less than 15 minutes to complete.
I also belive Dan Craft has some guide spacings he uses on them.

Stefan,

I just finished the 10' 7 FT using Dan Craft's spacing, and I've been very satisfied with the rod (although I missed the end of the Steelhead run on the American, and haven't tested it under a "live load"). Just email Dan and ask about his spacing chart, or email me and I'll forward it.

If you do use static spacing, would you mind sharing your results?

Wayne

One more question on the static test:
Is it fine to place the guides with a placement of any 10' fast action rod and than correct it by static test? That seems to be little easier than the way recommended in the library.
Stefan