HI All,
Not so new to building or lurking around on this site but very new to posting here. My question is this, of all the equipment and things you use in rod building is there one or two in particular that sticks out in your mind as a “have to have” gadget. I have most all the large ($) equipment I need for now but I have been wondering if there isn’t a whole lot of other, smaller things out there that go overlooked by long time builders as being so obvious they feel everybody should have enough sense to own one.

I find the butt wrap alignment tool handy.

A good adjustable rod holder to mount on your bench for doing static guide placement.
Also a bunch of clear plastic tackle boxes made by Plano for storing guides, thread , and other small items. I have found them real handy.

A set of very inexpensive Vernier calipers ($12 General brand is good enough) is very helpful for a multitude of measuring tasks.


..................

Medication for obsessive/compulsive dissorder

A bobkin, burnishing tool, hair trimming single edge razor blades from Sally's Beauty supply, and believe it or not I use a small level quite a bit. When I get ready to set the guides on the blank for wrapping I place the level on my reel seats (Fugis) to make sure that I am on the right plane or axis of the rod.

A couple of pictures -

Tools
[www.rodbuilding.org]

CoonAzetti Portable Rod Crate

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2007 08:12AM by Bill Stevens.

Time........

M.J.'s statement and Bill's photo says it all!

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

Good lighting and a headband magnifier. If I can't see well when I'm doing something, no gadget will save me.

Putter
Williston, ND

I'll second Tom K. on the calipers. That or a good spatula for applying epoxy.

Time and medication would be nice as well.

How about a credit card with no limit you never have to pay back? Now THAT would be handy!! :-)

Wait. I got it. A plane ticket to the 2008 ICRBE in High Point.....

Found a great adjustable 'Natural sunlight" lamp at a sewing store. Has 4x magnifier lens and can be adjusted to give the magnefication and light my over 55 eyes need to see what my hands are doing. Has a very heavy base to stabilize, absolutely the greatest gadget for me.

After seeing (pun intended!) the mention of a good magnifier (either head or table or both)
I'm reminded that like Putter said "If I can't see well when I'm doing something, no gadget will save me."
I have to agree whole heartedly! Most of my life I had above average vision! NOT NO MORE!

I can mickymouse just about any contraption needed to build rods if nessisary but not my MAGNIFIERS!!!!

But my Wonder Weaver has not arrived yet. Maybe I'll just have 2 gadgets I can't live without! LOL


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

Didital calipers that are also metric. ID, OD,and depth guage. Got mine from Acid Rod. Couldn't do without them.

First thanks to all for replying to this post, I see things mentioned I have already and some I don’t which are now on a list (where are my OCD meds) of items I need to have. I was “fishing” for things from outside the normal areas you would look to for tools or equipment used in this craft and there are some mentioned in the replies I had not thought of. Again thanks to all for taking the time to respond.

A good set of cork reamers!!!!

Good lighting, thread picks and burnishers. Also rollers
Good Wraps Bob

After all these years of rod building, the best tool I have is a comfortable chair, which allows me to sit and relax at the workbench for long periods of time.

Mine is some kind of fancy office typing chair with suspension (?) and lots of adjustments.

If your not comfortable you can't do good work i reckon.

I fish therefore I am.
www.hookeduprods.com

Dental picks and a Book stand for holding pattern books and such. I have a cheapo like this one.
[www.amazon.com]

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

Xm radio...It helps keep me relaxed...well I guess any radio would do that but atleast with XM i don't have to listen to any commercials.