As I start my second year of building, I feel that my wrapping technique is pretty good but my actual knowledge of rod building is way below average. When I started I was given a wrapper, guides, epoxy, etc and around 80 blanks and a couple of instructional tapes .The blanks ranged from 6 ft 2 piece to 7 ft one piece .None of the blanks had manufacture labels on them so just started picking out blanks and building them .I finished 13 rods last winter and of the 13 I used 6 daily. The ones I use everyday are light and sensitive and cast pretty good.
When I started, I used the Fuji guide system because I didn’t know any better and at the end of last winter’s building season I started spacing the guides under load conditions. These rods cast or seem to cast better than rods build earlier …This winter I plan on only building 5 or 6 rods and trying to educate my self on the characteristics of rods in general… I have read and looked at the charts provided on the net by different people in regard to rating rods but when I apply what I know [and see] to selection, I’m always disappointed in the final results [most times] .The rods are always a little weak on the power side. I use aconite or titanium guides as suggested by a sponsor [at left] to cut down on weight.[ ??]. Any suggestions for a dropshot, crank bait, flipping rod and a good all around worm rod??? 6-6 to 7 ft
Sorry about being so long winded
TIA
Ken Blevins

One thing that I would suggest is to scrap the FUJI Concept spacing system and go with the New Concept Guide System as outlined in the Library above. The Alconites are a very good guide choice for this system.

I'm sure that you will get advice on the other parts of your question from far more knowledgeable builders than myself



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!!

Hiya Ken - If you want some more and different views for spacing guides on a SPINNING Rod, then take a look at these recent Posts & Replies, and see if they help you refine your current methods and techniques.

How do I select guide sizes when ordering?
Posted by: Keith Neidhart Dec. 4, 2005 12:48PM
[www.rodbuilding.org]
Discusses actual guide sizes, offered by Mike Barkley, for a 6'6" fast taper, medium power rod, rated 8-15# line, and 3/16 - 5/8ths oz lures. Also Posted is an example of Guide Spacing Calculations (by Cliff Hall) for the same rod as MB's considerations, but using larger guides and incorporating the usual cluster of design constraints for the convergence of a good guide layout. -CMH.

Uplifted / angled reels
Rob Heaton ... Dec. 3, 2005 ... 03:47PM
[www.rodbuilding.org]
Discusses the Intersect Method and variations on that theme.
[My reply (Cliff Hall) will be continued and a new Post made later.]

"but my actual knowledge of rod building is way below average."

Reading this forum and the online library along and most importantly with a subscription to Rodmaker magazine will really put you on top of things. I don't consider myself a master rod builder, but my subscription means that very little is going on that I don't know about. I'm up to speed on all the modern techniques and have a ready reference source right here in a stack next to my rod bench. You aren't going to run across much that you can't find covered in Rodmaker.

Amen to that Ed!!! Ken if you don't have Tom Kirkman's book get it!! I've been building / refurbishing for a year and IMHO Tom's is a MUST HAVE for new builders. It goes over every phase of rod construction in depth, with lots of pictures. It shows you how things should be done.

Bill in WV

funny. it seems even the newcomers (like myself) who read this board and get the magazine, though little experienced, seem to know more about current and efficient methods to rodbuilding than those with years and years of experience without benefit of these resources. or that's just my perception of it. each leaves a bit to be desired, even the book, but taken together, a vast source of info. don't sell yourself short. tom's concept on offering these resources creates a fourth element, the community.

sorry i couldn't offer much practical help. group hug time?

eric
fresno, ca.