I took the advise of others on correctly aligning eyes on the rod. One of the tips called for removing the reel (foot?) from an old reel and using that to align the guides. Another tip called for turning the rod over so that the guides are on the bottom and so that you can see which ones are out of line. The problem that I came across was knowing if the reel foot was level, because as evidenced by prior guide placement, my eye is not a good level.

To make this story short, I scrounged a line level and a rubberband. I wrapped the band around both ends that secure onto the line and tested the theory. Not only was the setup light enough not to cause the rod to rotate, but it worked. Now when I have the guides in the down position, I still know where level is.

Hopefully this can be of use to some builders, or if someone has already tried this and it didn't not work for whatever reason, please let me know.

You nailed it Justin ! That's the way I do it and it works for me. Like you,, I don't think my eye is level either.

Good idea. But if you have a spirol wrap the reel well not twist. The reel well always stay on top. Even under pressure. This was deminstrated by Mark griffen of Acid Rods and his buddy at the woodland show, this past month.
Good Wraps Bob

I'm not understanding what you guys mean about the reel foot being level? Are you using this to make sure your guides or straight or something else? Sorry....

Phil, I was using it too keep the eyes straight. The level is perpendicular to the reel foot. I will ask my wife to help me load a picture and post a link.

Phil, what Justin is trying to ensure is that the reel seat is perfectly aligned on the same axis as the guides. I am one of the ones that uses the reel seat foot from a smaller penn international reel, placed and tightened in a reel seat already mounted on the blank, to align the stripper guide to the exact axis as that of the reel seat. The reel seat foot self-centers in the reel seat hoods as the real seat nut is tightened. Using the flat upper surfaces of the reel seat foot I then align the rest of the guides to the stripper guide.

The penn international reel seat foot is machined stainless and quite wide where it screes into the reel. Mounted by itself these wide areas form "wings" on either side of the reel seat with a flat upper surface. It has proven to be an excellent tool for aligning guides on rods I build.

Lou