I am going to build a 9 foot steelhead casting drift rod and have never done it before i have no idea of what i need, i know i need the following

- handles
- guides and tip top
-winding thread
- some kind of varnish

What am i missing?

by the way great site and thanks for your help

Don't do anything until you have armed yourself with some good background information. Get a basic rod building book or video and go through it before buying parts and starting on your rod. You won't regret it.

..........

Like Tom says, first on the list is "Education". Don't rush any of this, get educated, then order what you KNOW you want on that first rod.

Putter
Williston, ND

I got the crazy notion to start building rods last October....I finished 2 so far...First thing I did was by the flexcoat video...Next, I went and got Rod Building Guide by Tom Kirkman....This gave me enough infomation to start asking questions.....I bugged a bunch of people here, I got hung up on "should I buy a powerwrapper or hand wrapper".....I went hand and I am happy....

Anyhoo....I would suggest 3 things: 1 or 2 videos, rodguilding guide by Tom Kirkman, and find a local builder in your area that will spend time with you. This will severly shorten the learning curve....

Dale Clemens has a book called "advanced custom rodbuilding" it is good, but not as useful for beginners....You can pick up books and videos cheap on @#$%&...Rodbuilding supplies I have found cheapest either online, estate sales, or garage sales....

Thanks,
Jeffrey

Kyle,
I sent you an email but it was returned.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Check this board. Just my reading you can learn a lot.
The search on this site is very good also for any thing you have a question on. Try that and most all the time you get more info then you can read
The FAQ's page the library page, directory, glossary all have good info to learn from

Once you build that first rod ---- there is no turning back Your hooked