I just finished my first rod, and while it is very pretty, there are two guides that are slightly off kilter with the rest. I have no doubt that perfomance wont be affected, but it's one of those things that just wrecks the whole rod for me.

I'm building another one and I want it to be awesome and I'm sure that you all have some really slick method of lining up those guides so they're super straight.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Ryan Mann

I sight down the blank with the guides on the bottom. As long as you see the same amount of guide sticking out on both sides of the blank, they are straight. Get them close before you wrap them, adjust a little if needed after you wrap them, and then finish them.

I am sure there will be several ways given for this and if you do a search, you will also find many ways. I do the same as Larry. I get them close when wrapping them and then adjust them afterwards, sighting down the blank. I am not really sure there is a way to get them exactly all in line.

I follow the same process as the previous two gentlemen mention. It works the best for me. I would add however that you need to recheck the guide placement after you apply the color preserve. You stand a good chance of bumping a guide or two. Also, the CP causes the guide wraps to loosen slightly. Best to be safe then sorry. Once the CP dries, not much worry of the guides moving.

Kevin

You will feel a lot better if you remove the two that are "off" and re-wrap and re-finish them. Good practice for repairs later too.
Regards,
Kenneth Prager

Alinings guides, I hold the rod out at arms length, Now looking at the tip top guide, makeing sure it is straight I slowly tip the rod down so the next guide is in alignment with the tip top crown. I do this witheach guide . I align each guide crown. I never sight thru the center of the guides. Does any one else do it this way
Good Wraps Bob

Aside from keeping the guides on top I use the same method as the first three to answer. I also agree with Kenneth. I make sure the tip & butt guides are lined up as well as these eyes can get them, then from butt to tip one guide at a time, then look at each again and fine tune any that are not as close to perfect as I can get them. On a 9ft. fly rod this may take 20 or 30 min. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

Bob,
Your method will allign the guides so that they are all straight relative to each other even if the blank is not perfectly straight. The other methods outlined above will allign the guides directly over the top of the blank or straight relative to the blank but not necessarily straight relative to each other. Either approach will work but trying to do both on a blank that is not perfectly straight, and few are, will result in you chasing your tail around in a circle.

After the tip top is glued on and the guides spaced, I wrap from the tip to the butt, lining each one with the tip top -- guides up - guides down using out side sunlight Check recheck, then check again
Those ones that are out of line may bother you, rewrap

Why align just once? I align them (roughly) with the tip top when I tape them to the blabk, then I align them again after I wrap, then I align them again after the CP is applied. I really do my best to avoid the feelings you describe -- "I feel your pain" -- having been there before. It's a good idea to remove and rewrap the crooked guides, as ther is nothing like piece of mind coupled with pride of accomplishment.

Jim