I just want to say, that I just feel so relieved and glad when I am finished wrapping, I look down the rod to get ready to straighten out whatever guides that need to be tweaked, but tonight I looked down the rod after I was finished wrapping, and to my surprised, they were perfectly aligned, I couldn't believe my eyes, so I checked like 3 times, and there they were all in order! So for a beginner this is just fantastic! Tight Lines!

I know the feeling - I just finished wrapping my first rod tonite and put the c p on the wraps. I did have to do a bit of tweaking
but not much and only a couple of guides. It really gave me a feeling of accomplishment. Now - I have to read up on doing the epoxy.
I'm already picking out the next two builds I will do.

Warren, After like a year of building rods, It took me like 10 rods to finally get to where I can put a thinner coat of epoxy on, at first I was always wondering why it was so hard for me to get a bubble free, and level finished wrap, the guys on rod building forum kept telling me to go thinner, but every time I tried I always put to much, now I do thin coats and leave it alone after a couple of 180 Degree turns to help it level out, then let it turn on the dryer, it works for me. good luck on your rod! Tight lines!

Some years ago when I was teaching rod building classes I had one student slide his components together and find that everything was a perfect fit. He didn't have to shim or ream any of the handle components. A year later he came back to build another rod within the class structure and again, every handle component fit perfectly right out of the box. Sometimes lucky is as good as being good.

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

Thanks Lorenzo - I am going to use the epoxy method described on this site in the library - where you do the application with a spatula and turn by hand at first. This will be an adventure - I have been reading about all the problems and failures people have with their epoxy and also about the different application and turning methods to get the finish level and bubble free - Its great that the people in this hobby /business are so willing to help others by sharing what they have learned the hard way.

Tom - I totally agree on "lucky being as good as being super good". Man - What were the odds of that happening in your rod building class twice in a row? Amazing!

"Sometimes lucky is as good as being good" I agree also, good is good, like they say," Practice makes perfect" That perfect fit, that is amazing, i still need practice on that one! Have a good one.