Hi guys, I'm replacing the guides on a casting rod for a buddy. It's a 6'6 MH Quantum Iron rod, it has a size 8 casting guide at the reel, 2 missing single foot guides and then three 4mm running guides and the tiptop. I'm looking for some advice on what size the two missing guides should be. I'm just going to copy the factory guide size and placement, my buddy just wants to get it on the water and I don't know much about casting rods. I'm thinking use two 5mm micros, but I'm not sure. Thanks for your help!

Abram,

I had a couple Quantum Iron Rods about 15 years ago, one was that model. I can't say that I've seen any by that name since. If the rod is that old, it has been rewrapped at least once already. The factory layout had larger guides, 10, 8s, and 7s or 6s. I would probably use a 5 or 6mm for the first missing single foot, and then a 4mm for the second. There's just no real need for the extra 5mm guide.

Joe

I have no idea of the age of the rod, I think it was passed on to him when he got it. He'll be interested to know the age. I'll go with a 6 and a 4 then, thanks!

How and where are you measuring the rings?

I've been measuring the inside diameter of the ceramic with calipers.

Abram,

Are you measuring the ID of the ceramic ring, or the steel frames? If those are the ID measurements of the ceramic rings, then those may well be the original guides. Guides are typically sized by the ID of the frames. Different ring materials take up different amounts of space inside the ring, and will result in different ID measurements for the same size frame. If you measure the OD of the ring, you'll have a number just a bit larger than the ID of the frame, but you should be able to figure out the frame size fairly easily.

Joe

I've been measuring the inside of the ring, that explains the small size. Now I know, thanks!