Hey guys,

My first build is going along wonderfully. I'll tell you what, building scale model airplanes has been more than handy for this new venture!

My BIGGEST problem to date, however, has been ordering the sizes for the different components of my build. While the winding checks and trim were easy to fit thanks to Mudhole's MHX spacing charts, other parts of the build have not been as easy. The hardest components to fit have been the guides. I have been using Minima Pac Bay 4 guides. I ended up having to go with one more micro guide than I originally anticipated so I have to wait for that to come in the mail tomorrow before I can continue adding my running guide train. Also, although I bought reduction guides ranging from size 20-8, come to find out, I am probably going to need a guide somewhere in the 7-4 range to finish off the build. That's a good bit deal more on shipping costs, but especially wasted time.

In short, I wanted to know if this was just a normal part of building a custom rod. If building a truly custom rod means having to wait for parts to come in so that I can get the best fit (as opposed to just following a general, broad recipe), then I am all for it! However, if I am doing something wrong on my part, or there are other tips and tricks that you guys follow to avoid having to make two or three separate orders, then I am all ears.

Thanks guys, this has been an awesome experience so far!

Carlos

It's going to be very difficult to order exactly and only what you end up needing. In many cases it's wise to order a few extra guides; certainly a tiptop one up and one down from what the target specs list (or have the dealer fit a top to the blank at the time of ordering, which may require a phone call or message in the online order box).

If you intend to build more than one rod, it shouldn't be a problem to order the odd extra guide or two; an extra butt cap or check. At some point you'll need them and you'll have them on hand.

Other parts can be made to fit. Winding checks, arbors, seats, etc., can be shimmed, bored, reamed, etc. Custom rod building isn't quite a paint by the numbers process. It does require some craftsmanship and light technical ability on the part of the builder.

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

Besides the more rods you've built, the easier is it going to be. With experience you will know what guide sizes and how many guides to use for a particular blank and application. I have built maybe 20-30 rods so far (wet behind the ears by all standards) but this has been enough to tell me what guides I will need for a blank and of late I have not made any serious mistakes in guide sizing or spacing. Sheer numbers help.
:-)
Cheers,
Michal

Like Michal and Tom before me mentioned. Experience will prove, so for "cushion", order a few more guides, tops, etc.... you will use them again. With a little over 275 completed todate, always something new, new blanks/models/action etc. For the most part, I try to keep extra everything I use - just like you mentioned....shipping for a certain guide or whatever you don't have will be a little more costly. In general, with every order I submit, I always add a diff color thread, or one that's running out and several guides and tip-tops of different sizes, along with a few buttcaps. I usually order stuff like hook-keepers and checks by 30 or so (I have a tendency to throw them away or loose packs of 10).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2013 01:51PM by Fred Trahan.

My advice.....spend your time now considering if this hobby is for you and just what rods you desire to own in the future. If so, save your money and wait for the right time. That time is often around black Friday when you can buy for around 40% off. Plan to buy enough blanks to take you to the next black Friday.

In the meantime, frequent places like Utmost and also check for sales and closeouts at the other places. Get a handle on what you can often pick up on the cheap and the stuff you can't.

Take a good look at what you have, what you need, and what you want (in terms of rods). Think about how much you can save in the next 3 months and how many rods you want to get. That will determine what you can spend on each one. Then we can help you find the best blanks in your budget for your type of fishing. You want a little flexibilty but when the time comes you need to move very fast so you need to know ahead of time. If you can find others to go in on your purchase so much the better.

On the other hand, it money doesn't matter, ignore all I have said.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Utmost doesn't not have an online store as we prefer to speak or deal via email directly with our customers in order to make sure you receive everything you need to finish your project. We will fit the tip top and winding check for you and we will make suggestions or changes if required after consulting with either our rod builder or the boys at Batsons. We check emails throughout the weekend and will respond in a timely manner - utmost39@aol.com. Carol-Utmost Enterprises

HI Carlos,

I have made a few model airplanes when I was younger, now I build "CUSTOM" fishing rods.

No two are the same. When I made my first rod, it was from a kit I was given as a gift.

Now 3 yrs. later I have a room I use to build rods, a power rod wrapper a dryer motor set up,now I will say that is just the start of 'WHAT ONE WILL NEED" if you stay in this art of building rods.

I buy my parts (guides) in sets, spinning 1 #20 #16 1# 12 1#10 2#8 2#7 4#6 and 4#5 now I will not need all the guides for one rod build, but I'll have sizes to put in my guide size box, as time goes by I have built up extra guides if I need one that I didn't order on the next build.

Over time I have built up parts by buying 1 or 2 extra parts like reel seats, grips butt caps and cork rings to make my handles I find a lot of things on sale on E bay, if you know what is good stuff and what is junk.

Russell said it well, Be careful or you will get hooked on the art of custom Rods. I did I love to make custom rods.


Tom Kirkmans book on rod building is a must read if you are new to the ART of rod building, it helped me to get hooked big time
. Thank you Tom

I'll go now, I've said to much . good luck . If I can help you call me at 706-652-3409

Linegrabber Custom Rods

Maysville GA.

What is life without fishing ?

That's a learning curve you will overcome quickly. I am a hobby builder but I have extras that I will use. Every order has a new color thread. Just think with the extra parts, you will have to build more rods. Can never have enough rods.

I have a BUNCH of blanks and was looking to find if I could order an assortment of fly rod guides. I found this:
[www.mudhole.com]
But I wish there were more selections (like stainless, etc.).