Tim,

That's the problem - the optimum sizing and spacing of guides for any particular blank involves more than just the blank.

Now there is one method you might be interested in. Don Morton's Equal Angle system utilizes a graph with lines plotted from a central point. A flexed blank is placed against the graph and where the lines intersect the blank reflect where the guides should go based on the original angles chosen and the action and length of the blank.

However, it has always been my opinion that people are missing one aspect of this sytem that could be very helpful. If you dispense with the pre-plotted lines, and start rather, with a blank that you've built and spent considerable time tweaking the guild placement by pure trial and error, until you know it's as good as you can get, you can then place the rod on the graph/chart and draw lines from each guide converging onto a single point. After you've done that, any blank that you place on that chart will reflect the same careful guide spacing that your original rod had. No, it will not locate the guides in the same exact positions from the tip - the plotted lines will still take into account the length and action of subsequent blanks, but the "formula" wlll mimic the optimum spacing you arrived at for that first rod.

This is, in fact, a mathematical formula, but in a mechanical plotted form. Anyone who wishes to pursue mathematical guide spacing formulas would do well to consider giving this a go. I believe it has great merit.

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