I was wondering if anyone knew were I could get some blank scraps to just experiment with? Just practicing/perfecting techniques is essentially what I would be doing with the scraps.

Thanks,
Matt

If you're just looking for scraps to experiment with, go to Wal-Mart or any big box store and get a telescoping crappie pole. They run about $10 to $20 and you get 4 three foot sections that you can experiment with and make extentions with.

How long of sections are you looking for?

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AD

Probably just need about 3 foot sections. Just looking to do some practicing with finishing and wraps.

Hello Matt

Mark hit it on the head.
They work great for practice.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Matt,
Many sporting goods or fishing stores have "scrap barrels" for old fishing rods. Folks who have fishing rods that they no longer want rods can drop the rods in the barrel and the shops give the rods to charity.
But, most stores, if you ask will give you as many rods as you want out of the barrel at no charge.

Also, you can go to the salvation army, good will or similar charity stores and often pick up many rods for 50 cents or $1 each.

When you practice wraps, you can practice wrapping just fine on a finished rod. Either cut off the guides that are on the rod, or simply practice your wrapping on a portion of the rod that doesn't have a guide on it.

Also, if you get into the realm of rod repair and need a piece of scrap blank, the use of these same cast off rods, is a very good source for repair pieces. If you do use these cast off pieces for repair sections, make sure that the piece that you use as a repair section doesn't have cracks or other internal damage.

Take care
Roger

Matt, my bass club has given me plenty of old rods they have either lost guides on, broken tips off or, as they have up-graded to better rods, no longer have use for them. I would check with some local clubs. Also I tell the guys that if they give me their old ones and they need a guide replaced on ones they use, I might be able to use some guides off of those and not have to charge them for new ones. I've actually been given some good rods that I would have bought. I've done some re-builds on some,(split the butt grip, put on micro guides, spiral wrap,etc.) and sold them. Ron

Matt

Do you have any archery hunter friends. Old or broken arrow shafts are my "practice sticks"!

Rog

Matt,

Go to the local hardware store and get some 3-4' sections of pvc pipe or wooden dowels in 1/2"- 3/4" diameter. they are cheap and slightly larger diameter than a blank wich will make it easier to learn. The other benifits of the PVC or wooden dowel is you don't have the taper of the balnk wich makes it slightly easier, and you don't have to strip off guides.

Worked for me, good luck