I have just finished my third rod, The whole process has been gratifying in so many ways, and there has been much I have learned. I expect to learn more in the future, however, here are some important lessons I have painfully absorbed.
10. If you plan to use metal winding checks, put them on the blank before you wrap the guides.
9. The instructions in the site's Library concerning the placement of guides on spinning rods is nearly foolproof. If you only get one thing from rodbuilding.org, this is the most important, IMHO. (Fortunately for folks like me, there is much more to be had here.)
8. Fifty year old eyes need help with thread wrapping. My fly tying lamp/magnifying glass is my most important rodbuilding tool.
7. PermaGloss melts decal colors!
6. Microwaving the resin for ten seconds makes rod finish (LS Supreme) so much easier to mix and apply. The results are amazingly superior.
5. In two of my three projects thus far, the factory specs for the tip top tube size has been wrong.
4. Flex Coat's "Guide Foot Adhesive" is better than masking tape.
3. If you do not pay attention, a Dremel MotoTool can grind 50% of the foot off the guide before you know it.
2. Neither mineral spirits nor turpentine will clean the brushes you use to apply epoxy finish or PermaGloss. Who knew?
1. That the good folks who frequent this site are an incredible resource for novice rod builders. I don't think I would have progressed nearly as far without the kind assistance of those who have responded to my questions. Thanks to all.

Tight lines,
Hunter.

Hunter,
As another newbie, I think you've hit all the bases with the the 10 things you listed... especially #3. I'm still challenged to get the guide feet ground exactly right to get the thread to move onto the feet smoothly. I suppose even an old guy like me can learn though so I'll keep practicing it on a wood dowel until I get it right.

Clyde Thomas

Clyde Thomas

Guy, Grind the foot almost to a knife edge at the end and the thread will wrap right up it unless you have way to much tension on the thread.

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!!

On grinding guide feet. Prior to grinding, insure the feet lay dead flat on the blank. Bend them a bit at a time until they sit flat. You may also find that a bit of filing of the bottom of the feet with a round file will improve the fitting and/or flattening. Then grind or file the upper feet to a taper at the tip. Then debur the edges and finish the surfaces with 600 grit wet dry or the ledgendary grey Scotchbrite.

Thanks Mike... I'm pretty much grinding to a knife edge now, close enough that it started to worry me a little that it might be too sharp. Tension too tight makes sense... I'll loosen up a bit when I get back to work on it. Sure would be a wonderful world if there were some way to measure that 'perfect' tension. Thanks for the input.



Clyde Thomas

I know! Getting tension right is a crap shoot for me too!

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 remember a post years back the had a bag of pennies just like the ccs as to the amount of tension to pull the thread off the spool.I`ll try to find it later and post a link.[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 04/30/2006 05:48PM by Fred Yarmolowicz.

Thanks, Fred!!

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!!

Hello Hunter,
I like your list except for the glue instead of masking tape. I love masking tape and even buy 1/8 inch for the smaller guides. In any case I enjoyed your post.

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

Hunter >> In Rod Maker Magazine volume 8 Issue 1 there is a very good artical step by step illustration on guide preperation by Tom Kirkman. Very informative.You can go to the left side and click on Rod Maker Magazine and order you a back issue, and while you are there you might just as well order you a subcription. A great magazine and a must have for the Rod maker young and old.Liked you list.
Good luck<<<< DON >>>>