I was reading an article at Mudhole.com about how to build custom
rods. I understood a lot of the process, but I have a few questions.

If I was putting guides on a casting rod, would the guides go on top or on the bottom of the spine? 2. Also, it said that you need to smooth
out the feet of the guide so they want crack. What is that all about?

Thanks for the info.

Jim

Jim,

The Basic Rod Building Questions & Answers at the top of the page will answer both of these questions adequately along with most others.

Ray Alston

Just checked the FAQ's myself and it didn't mention prepping the guide feet. What that means is making sure the feet are aligned and sit flat on the blank. Also you want to grind, file, or sand a ramp (so to speak) at the beginning of the foot so your thread will be able to make a smooth transition up onto the foot. If you don't, you generally will get a gap in the threads where the end of the foot shows. Last but not least, you want to debur the feet so that they are as smooth as possible, so they wont gouge or cut into the blank or thread causing a possible failure later on.

Ray Alston

Go back too the Mud Hole site and order the rod building book by Tom Kirkman it should answer most all your questions