What methods do you use for determining the guide spacings. Is it by eye, guesstimation or mathematical formula.

Check the online library here for some good information on how to do this. I'm sure others will let you know how they personally prefer to do it, but the information in the library should give you a very good footing for doing this yourself.

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Hi Simon
I'm in Scotland. If you want to chat about rod building send me an e.mail
Dave Olley

You should ask the English cricket team they measured up us and took back the Ashes.

bearclawrods@iprimus.com.au

Simon,

There are many ways. Some of the rod building supply web sites have charts posted with suggestions for positioning guides on the varoius types of rods in various lengths: fly, spinning, casting; 6 foot, 8 foot, 12 foot, etc. The blank manufacturer, St Croix, has a chart on their web site. If you search this site in the messages, faq, and the library, you can learn about the "Concept" method for placing guides.

I started out using the suggestions off the varoius charts. Recently, I have tried using my variation on the "Concept" method. In any case, after the initial placement of guides, I put a line through them and put some load on the line to see how they look with the rod flexed and make last minute adjustments. I read that many builders will go out and do some casting with the rod and make adjustments for peak performance.

Good luck.

IMO, The "Guide Charts" should be nothing more than a starting point. If you are going to copy a store rod, you may as well just buy one. Manufacturer's have no choice. They have no idea what reel the buyer will be using, nor the line, etc.
With a custom rod, the end user should be getting a rod that is built for optimum efficiency with the reel being used as well as the model of guides being used, etc.

There are 2 excellent articles in the library above, for starters, detailing Static testing and the Concept guide system (not to be confused with the Fuji Concept system on their web site, which is seriously flawed)


Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!