Hi fellow rodbuilders, I'm about to ask a question that I know has absolutely been beaten to death yet, I still am in a fog about the solution. I understand that the objective is to keep the line following the curve of the blank under load and to keep as best as possible the line off the blank. My question is this, no matter how I manipulate my guides along the blank at some point they come close or do make contact with the blank, depending on load. How do I attain both? It's very possible I could be overthinking this situation. It's really getting me frustrated. :-/. So, I need input from those really knowledgeable in this area.
Thanks in advance
Arthur

Add more guides.

Try a spiral wrap, no extra guides needed and makes the rod more stable under load.

Thanks,
Chad Huderle

Huderle Custom Rods
Prior Lake, MN

Everything ends up being a bit of a compromise. To completely keep the line off the rod blank under any and all load will require a large number of guides that may then cause you to lose other important aspects of rod performance due to the increased weight they'll add. Fortunately, guides are becoming lighter and lighter all the time so the weight penalty isn't nearly as much as it once was.

Also keep in mind that it's not absolutely necessary to keep the line off the blank under the heaviest loads. Generally, reels aren't used as winches. You're not retrieving line when the rod is under a heavy load - you gain line by pulling with the rod and retrieving the recovered line as you lower the rod back down.

I would say that as long as the line doesn't pass under the rod, creating a sort of "bowstring" effect between any pair of guides, you've got enough guides.

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

Good explanation Tom.

Thanks Chad but, I already have done a couple of rods in the spiral.
To Tom, thanks for chining in on this one because I noticed on some of my store bought rods that through various loads they get close or make slight contact. Wheeew!!! I feel a lot better now.
Thanks again to all who commented, offered suggestions and gave direction. This is what makes this board great. :-)

Arthur Long Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks Chad but, I already have done a couple of
> rods in the spiral.
> To Tom, thanks for chining in on this one because
> I noticed on some of my store bought rods that
> through various loads they get close or make
> slight contact. Wheeew!!! I feel a lot better
> now.
> Thanks again to all who commented, offered
> suggestions and gave direction. This is what makes
> this board great. :-)


Arthur,
You hit the nail right on its head. This forum is full of info and people willing to help.
Thanks and good luck,
Andres Perez
Miami, Fl