Just wanted to say Hi and introduce myself.

Been building Rods for myself and a few others for 20 years. Nothing really special, but want to take it up a few levels now. Latest projects are a spiral wrap Batson SWB (done), Orvis TLS Fly rod (In process)
Rebuild of a friends 5 ' Boat Rod (on the finishing mtor now, and a couple of spinners also on the Batson SWB blanks. One for me to match the Spiral Wrap and one for a friend as a giveaway rod to say thanks for past kindness.

Hope to learn a lot more here and gain some insight into the fine craftsmanship I have seen in the photo gallery

Welcome David and don't be a stranger.

welcome to further enhancing your addition... If you are like many here it starts out oh, so simple and before you know it, a small hobby turns into a out of control passion!!!!!!! amazing I've not yet been kicked out of the house as we have some sort of fishing or rod building in most every room of the house... lucky I have an understanding wife!! you will enjoy the site and the people here, who are FIRST class in all manner and means.

Tom Kaufmann
GySgt USMC

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Tom--it is an addiction isn't it? I find that when I don't have a build for myself I'm looking for stuff to Re-build for my friends.

David,
It definately can become consuming but fortunately enough it is an addiction in which you can recoupe some of your losses at times.... I will say that my R&D far outweighs anything that I may be lucky enough to sell. I, as you only build for myself, family and friends. I stick with the basic functional and non flashy stuff.. I will say that my attention to detail has gone through the roof in all aspects of my building after seeing what others here have done!!!! We are very lucky to have such an awesome resource so easily available to us. I think that I may have screwed up by getting my wife involved with it. She really likes the "pretty" blanks... those "pretty" ones happen to be either SCV's, SCIV's or CTS's..... Oh well, at least she likes to be involved with it.. I have even had the pleasure of getting her daughter to wrap as well.... darn kid does EXCEPTIONAL work for a young 14 year old!

Welcome David ! This is an addiction but a healthy one. I had to laugh after reading Thomas's post. The way I get my wife involved is have her coordinate the color scheme for me. ( I'm no good at it anyway) Then she has to tell everyone how she helps me out. I am glad she doesn't read this forum !!

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Jay

You think you're the only one who had advice from the "other side" on color scheme?

Thanks for the welcome!

My wife offers color suggestions and she is usually right on. My buddy has the same help from his wife.

Welcome David!

Chuck

My partner and my wife select colors, when the customer doesn't want to. They've told me never to select any colors again, unless it's just one color, such as black.

David, here's what you have to look forward to: one of the contributors here, said one evening that he built about 6 rods a year and had about $8,000 in his equiment.

I'm doing my best to catch up to him

Welcome aboard!

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Well Russ, I've been doing this for 20 years all told. So I've got most of the stuff INEED> (is that really possible?) I guess not. Looking into building a rod lathe. I still wrap by hand as I'm not in building a few rods a day. Besides, I don't have the disposable income to have $8000 in tools and gear! lol*