I am a first time rodbuilder and I'm probably going to purchase the Grizzly Hobby lathe and drill for turning cork handles. I'm also looking at purchasing Andy Dears mandrels from the Lamar website, but I don't want to buy all 9 sizes. I will be building mostly light to medium spinning rods with butt diameters ranging from .32" to .50". I would like to get away with purchasing just 2 or 3. Is this possible and if so, which sizes should I purchase?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Geoff

Geoff, I think you can ask Andy, and he'll help you selecting sizes. If all you plan to turn is cork, I would get teh size smaller than you need and ream to a tight fit. You have to do that anyway. I'd look at getting a 1/4, 3/8, and the size smaller than 1/2 - I do not know all the sizes Andy has, but that's what I woudl think I wanted based on the size rods you are currently building.

I would go with the 3/8 and 5/8 and maybe add the 1/4 & 1/2 later. You'll definately want his new mandrels though. Lock collar and threaded end. Well worth it!!

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!!

i build small stream fy rods and except for fiberglass blanks (which i have only one waiting so far) the butt diameters are generally small. i have the 1/4 mandrel from andy and i don't see any need to have any other sizes right now. to insure this, i only order 1/4" inner diameter cork ringss or preformed grips. that's a pretty standard size for cork so i'm not compromising as far as i can tell.

eric
fresno, ca.

Geoff,
I recently bought the entire set of mandrels from Andy including some that are threaded. That's probably overkill but I build so many different size and types of rods that I will use them all at some point. I was a little unsure as to how to use the threaded mandrels but Andy stepped me through it and now it's a breeze. I'm sure if you just give him a call he can help you with whatever you need. Randy.

Geoff,
We offer a special package on the 5 most common sizes 1/4" - 1/2" for a reduced price. This set handles 99% of the fly/spin/cast rods that people build. Only when you get up to heavier type freshwater and saltwater rods will you need the 9/16" and larger. I build mostly freshawater and light tackle saltwater rods, and RARELY do I ver use anything larger than 1/2". But if you build a lot of Saltwater then....

Feel free to give me a call or email if you have any questions!

Regards,

Andy Dear
Lamar Mfg.
210-845-7456

Andy's mandrels are great. I've got 2 of the sets he's referring to. I live in Minnesota and do nothing but freshwater rods. Unless you're doing salwater or a lot of Muskie rods, you won't need anything over 1/2.

If I had to pick only 2 mandrels I'd probably go 5/16 and 7/16.

I rarely use the 1/4".


..........

Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I agree with Matt...5/16, 3/8 and 7/16 will be the most used.


Andy Dear
Lamar Mfg.

One of my sons gave me a set of Andy's mandrels Christmas before last. Andy talked my son Mike in getting me a set of five. So far I have used all five in my handle work. I make a lot of rods for my family members.

hello andy,
do you have a web site that i can go to? i am interested in purchasing a set of your mandrels. thanks.

David;
Lamar real seats, to the left.

Fred Crum
Dixon, Ca.