In reviewing guide spacing charts and calculators, I notice a difference of spacing and guide sizes. As a newbie to rod building, how do I decide which one to follow?

Learn how to perform static guide stress distribution spacing. Charts have no idea what action your blank possesses.

Or just pick a chart and go with it. They all work, somewhat. But if you're interested in becoming a custom rod builder, you may decide to go whole hog and do better.

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Ron,

The best way is probably Static Guide Placement. Tom's got an article in the library on how to do it. [www.rodbuilding.org] Another great option and a good starting point for the Static Guide placement method is the manufacturer's specs. If you don't want to do the static guide placement, I would probably stick with the manufacturer's specs since they know the blank best.

If you don't have the manufacturer's spec another option is test cating. Set up one of the spacings, test cast, set up another, test cast again, rinse, repeat, etc. Then pick you favorite spacing.

You may also want to have a look at the article on how the Fuji New Guide Concept applies to fly rods. That article is also in the library. [www.rodbuilding.org]

Hope that helps!

Learn the Static Guide Placement! It is not hard, it is super specific to your blank and it is kinda fun to see it all come together.

Ron Zambor Wrote:
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> In reviewing guide spacing charts and calculators,
> I notice a difference of spacing and guide sizes.
> As a newbie to rod building, how do I decide which
> one to follow?


Presuming you already have some factory built rods, you might want to try and apply each of those methods to them and see how close they come to the recommendations. Then do a static test of those rods and note how well the line follows the rod or not. It should give you a feel for which one might work better for you.

I use a formula from an older book that I work out with pencil and paper, then tape the guides on and do a static test. From there I adjust the placement to get the best line curve. I usually buy an extra guide at each end of the size range I think I might need in case it turns out that I need another one.

FWIW I'm more concerned with good distribution of pressure on the rod to prevent line breakage than I am with extra casting distance, so I don't do any casting tests. Most of my fishing doesn't require the extra distance.