Do you think it would be valid to do something in RodMaker magazine or on this website about the AVERAGE time it takes for each application in rod building. I would love to know how long it takes others to complete certain tasks compared to me. I know that there are a lot of variables like years of experience and care taken, but I think it would helpful. Some of the task/times I would be interested in are: wrapping a guide, coating a guide wrap, wrapping a trim wrap, completing a simple diamond wrap, prepping guide feet, etc... I have been timing my tasks lately to see if I am getting any faster, and also to help me with my pricing. I know with my first few rods (if I were to figure an hourly wage) I made about $2/hr. Of course since then I have become more efficient. What I also found out while setting up my pricing was that I grossly underestimated the time it would take me for each task. I started recording my steps and the time each took and it helped me to predict how long the next rod would take. For example, I would have said that it takes me 20 minutes to wrap a cork tape handle on a surf rod, but when I actually timed it, it was more like 40 minutes. What do you think?

Scott

This is a good topic although generally the length of time somebody has been involved in the craft coupled with the equipment they have will have a great deal to do with the time involved for each task.

Still, a good idea for a possible article or discussion here.

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Great question! … But I think about half of us would find out how long it really takes to build a fishing rod, and just about give up on rod-building. Because logically, it just may not make enough sense, or dollars or cents, either. (Sort of like the real price of owning a boat, on a price per hours fished basis, or on a price per pound of fish caught basis. ... Yikes!)

It’s finding the time to give it the time to get the job done. How long does it take to set-up the bench-top for a particular task; do the task, clean-up, and then move on to the next task? And how frequently can you find that block of time in your schedule as a hobbyist? For some, it’s every day. For others, it’s once a week.

Design. Re-think. Place an order. Wait for parts delivery. Mock-up. Dry fit. Re-think. Assemble. Let cure. Layout. Test. Cast. Butt wrap. Prep guides. Wrap guides. CP? Epoxy. Wait. … Next! … That’s all part of the time and hassle factor. ... And tool investment, etc.

Now I can better appreciate why many rod-builders think in terms of package-deal pricing, instead of piece-wise pricing. Chances are that your modest self should be charging almost twice what your first inclination would be. But, the work has to be done right the first time. And your customer service and warranty has to be understood from the word go.

So one guy may charge $5 labor to replace a single-foot 8 mm guide. But $10++ for each layer of wrap for a double-foot guide, depending on how wide and fancy it gets. And as for handles, decorative wraps, etc, the sky’s the limit. –Cliff Hall+++

So, that’s my 2 cents (& philosophy). Let’s see what everybody else has to say, …

interesting topic, but I will have to agree with Cliff. Time is a relative thing depending on your age, experience, expertise and why you are building rods to begin with. For instance when I started out doing this I was only interested in building a few rods for myself. Then as I got hooked I built a few for friends. Later I used it as a second income and hobby but still had a full time job. Finally I am retired and my time is completely different. As you go along you also increase you skill and no longer want to produce factory copies. Each time you learn a new technique you usually increase your time invested. After reading the current copy of Rodmaker on pricing extras such as thread art and wood work I realize I can never get my investment in time returned. Has this stopped me from doing improvements, no pride of work is worth more to me now and as I am retired time spent has much less a meaning in producing a rod.
Sam Fox
Foxrods