Hey all,

I am getting ready to build my first rod. I have been doing a lot of research by reading books, this forum, and watching a lot of youtube videos. I also have a friend of mine who has built quite a few rods and has helped me throughout the initial learning process. He will also supervise the harder parts of my first build.

I do have one nagging question which remains unanswered, however.

When you are choosing winding checks, or metallic trim bands for decoration, how do you determine what ID they should be? The first rod I will build will be a 7' L power, fast action, on a MHX blank. I know that the OD of the blank is .41 at the butt end and 4.5 at the tip.

I want to have three red Aluminum Checks; one right before the butt EVA, one right behind the back grip, and one before the front grip (VSS spinning reel seat).

So, my question is, when picking out aluminum checks and other trim parts, how do you guys determine the OD of the blank and the ID of the winding checks? Do you use some kind of formula? Contact the blank manufacturer for recommendations? Or, do you go ahead and order the blank and all other parts, measure the OD of the blank at the appropriate length with your calipers and then order the part?

Thanks guys and look forward to reading some more of your wisdom,

Carlos

Assuming you are buying the blank and various components from the same source, you can provide the information about location you just wrote above and ask them to size to fit for you.

Hi Carlos,
If you know the size of your grips, length, and reelseat then just measure the diameter of the blank were they go. Use a digital caliper if you can. No magic formula for this as different blanks have got different tapers.
Better to err on the larger size for checks as you can build up the blank with thread to get them to fit firmly. They can be bored out slightly but you need to be careful you don't damage the anodising.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Not so much of an issue when you only need to enlarge the i.d. slightly, but it is better to err on the slightly larger side of caution. I always ask for the vendor to size the checks according to where they will sit. This is dependent on grip sizing and placement, so mock up your grip on some threaded rod and note the lengths from the butt.

Thanks guys! I'll take your advice, call them up on monday, and be on my way! Will post pics.

Carlos,

Being an MHX blank, Mud Hole has the info you need for sizing in a pdf file. [www.mudhole.com] (about halfway down the page on the right) It would be nice if more manufacturers would provide this info.

Joe

As Joe says above...Mudhole's Chart is great! I also use it to size winding checks and trim pieces on blanks from other manufacturers. I just find a blank on the Mudhole Chart of the same length, close to the same butt diameter and same tip size. Then use the diameter indicated in the Mudhole Chart to size winding checks, etc. So far it has worked great!

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com