I'm looking to build a special rod for my daughter and have one question. I want to use an aluminum winding check, but without the blank to measure for the correct size, how can i determine the correct size to order when i order the blank and the rest of the materials? I'm new to rod building, and would appreciate any and all help, Jack

Buy all the parts from the same place and your supplier can size your winding check.

Hi Jack,
What size winding check will depend on the length of the foregrip you want. As Spencer mentioned you can get all your bits from one place and they will size it for you. If you want a different length foregrip than what they're offering you'll have to adjust the size accordingly. You can build the blank up with thread a bit if it's too big or ream it out carefully with a Dremel or similar if it's too small. Be careful how far you ream it out if that's necessary as it's easy to wreck the finish on the front edge if you go too far.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Jack,
what we do here at Mud Hole is when you place your order and then request a specific type of winding check or reel seat that has to be sized just list in the comments area that you want AAWC-135-R to fit at 16" from butt of MB843-MHX" if you were doing a split grip for instance you would list that you need one at 2" from butt, one at 7" from butt and one at 15".

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

Jack,
If in doubt, you could always buy all of your components except the winding check. Figure out your handle and reel seat placement and then use a caliper to measure the diamete of the blank at the location where you want to install the blank.
That is the 100% positive way of getting the correct size.

Another way is to pick up a dozen sizes to cover all possible combinations, if you are not sure and if the supplier can't supply you with the correct information.

But as Todd indicated, call your supplier directly, tell the supplier what you intend to do, and then have the supplier measure the actual blank at the required location and supply the correct winding check for you as has been posted above.

Good luck and happy building.

REW

Thanks to everyone for your help, i really appreciate it. I think i'll do what Todd said, and put a remark of what the check has to fit. Again, thanks all. Jack