I have never done a spiral wrap. Can anyone tell me where the spine should be located when using a conventional spiral wrap ?

I generally don't build on the spine. There were a series of threads and also articles in Rodmaker Mag. about the science behind it and they basically found that building on the spine is not important. Most of the articles referred to building on the straightest axis of the blank. I roll my blank in my wrapper and watch the tip. That way I can find the spot where the rod is at its straightest point and put the guides on that line. I look for when the tip rolls to its highest point, with the rod straight. I then mark that side and build it that way. Others may have different ideas, but that's how I do it. On a spiral wrap I would place the butt guide on the opposite axis and the running guides on the side where the tip is at its highest point.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

With a spiral wrap, the rod will be inherently stable due to the guides (lever arms) being on the bottom of the rod. So the spine makes no difference. Put it where ever you want. It will have no effect on the rod's stability or casting performance.

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David Dosser Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I generally don't build on the spine. There were
> a series of threads and also articles in Rodmaker
> Mag. about the science behind it and they
> basically found that building on the spine is not
> important. Most of the articles referred to
> building on the straightest axis of the blank. I
> roll my blank in my wrapper and watch the tip.
> That way I can find the spot where the rod is at
> its straightest point and put the guides on that
> line. I look for when the tip rolls to its
> highest point, with the rod straight. I then mark
> that side and build it that way. Others may have
> different ideas, but that's how I do it. On a
> spiral wrap I would place the butt guide on the
> opposite axis and the running guides on the side
> where the tip is at its highest point.


I second that!

______________________________________
Super Tight Lines......Don

I'm with them!!!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I still spine, just for peace of mind, and usually find it is also the straightest axis of the blank. I always place the spine on top because thats how I was taught. Spiral wrap is no different. People get confused because they used to say spinning/fly guides are 180 from spine and casting are on spine. Either way you slice it the spine is on top, unless your attempting to create more lifting/hook setting power. Then there is the "spine should stretch and not compress" bla bla bla... All that discussion will open a whole other can of worms. Build to you confidence.
Blanks materials have changed. However, the spine hasn't been eliminated. As long as I can locate a spine I'm putting it on top, it is my preference....
Just my personal rationalization and not trying to sell anyone on aything.

Jim



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/2011 12:44PM by JIM MOWL.

Thanks for the ideas and opinions, guys. I think I'll try it on top.
Happy Holidays to all.

I did a Seeker Factory Tour last month and this is what they do. They still locate the spine and build their rods on spine. They acknowledged that it is not necessary or needed but they do it just in case it matters to one or more of their customers. Something to think about. Since it doesn't matter, I have always built on spine.

I think that Jim explained it very well. Exactly the same thing that I do.
In the very large % of cases the spine and straightest axis are on the same axis. If not, the straightest axis wins the battle for guide and handle orientation. As he stated- all rods, not just one type or another.

The one thing that I am always on the alert for, is a blank that has a noticeable bend or hook. If that is the case, I make sure that the bend or hook, if any is present at all - is always built so that the hook or bend is on the rod in an up and down axis - never in a side to side axis. The reason for this is that folks essentially sight down their rods every time that they cast the rod. If any bend is present on the blank, a side to side bend or hook will be obvious every time that the rod is cast. However, if there is any hook or bend and the rod is built so that that bend or hook is in the vertical axis when casting rather than the horizontal axis - then that slight bend or hook is essentially invisible while casting.
Of course one doesn't typically build a rod on a blank that has a huge hook or bend, but many many blanks by every manufacturer have some non linearity in their final construction. Just build the rod, so that any built in non linearity is not obviously visible to the user on every cast.


Take care
Roger

Thanks for the topic. I build on the spine but wondered why since I've read it doesn't matter. Straight axis as described here makes good sense to me. I think using the wrapper to find it is the way to go. Quick and consistent. Thanks guys!!