Last month I completed my first rod build - an awesome ice rod for jigging crappie. After many hours of planning I purchased all of the components for my first full size rod. The blank I chose was a 2 piece MHX pan fishing blank. Well I received everything today and after unwrapping all the pieces I realized that I never thought about how I was going to build the connection point of the two pieces of the blank...... Do I need to get a ferrule? Do I wrap and finish? I looked all over online and can not seem to find any instructions on this.

I am very sorry for the basic question but I guess all of you were newbee's at one time too!!!

One more question - I purchased a set of Winn grips and a mudhole project x reel seat for this rod. The grips are back ordered so they did not come yet, but I got to wondering if I purchased the right size reel seat for these grips? I purchased a size 16 seat, but now I am worried it is two small for the grip tenon? Is there a reliable way to figure this out before ordering components?

Thanks in advance for the guidance

TomD

On modern multi-piece rod blanks, the ferrule is built in. In earlier times, you purchased a metal ferrule which led to a stiff spot on the blank. The built in ferrules are made from the same kind of materials as the rod blank itself.

Mike Blomme

Tom
To answer some of you questions , first as Michael said you don't need a ferrule it us built into the rod. You do, however, need to wrap the female end. As a basic rule you wrap back at a distance of 1 1/2 times the opening of the ferrule. You can go further but it would be only for looks not strength. It is important to start your wrap as close to the end as you can get it. Make a few wraps and push them towards the end.

On the grips, the Winn comes in a couple of sizes. You didn't mention which one you have but hopefully it is a 1.08. On spinning rods I usually trim the tenon off anyway. You can sand the tenon down to fit too but there won't be much left. The 16 mm is a good choice for a panfish Rod too. When you arbor the reel seat it will match up to the grip nicely..

Tom

When putting epoxy on the threads of the female end, be careful NOT to get epoxy inside of the ferrule.

If you want, you can ask me how I know. But, I prefer if you don`t.

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

When putting epoxy on the threads of the female end, be careful NOT to get epoxy inside of the ferrule.

If you want, you can ask me how I know. But, I prefer if you don`t.

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

When putting epoxy on the threads of the female end, be careful NOT to get epoxy inside of the ferrule.

If you want, you can ask me how I know. But, I prefer if you don`t.

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

the wrap should be out to the end of the ferrow but if it was the wraps will be falling off all the time 1/32 to 1/16 inch back will work just fine , dont get the flex coat in the hole ,
use a filler of some sort the frist time to find out how it goes , DA & Q tip will clean it out if you do mess up just an Idea

William Sidney
AK

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William Sidney
AK



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2015 01:17AM by william G Sidney.

It's a basic question and don't feel bad for asking. as others have said, but probably more accurately stated, the connection method is designed into the blank these days. blanks are designed often with tip over butt ferrules, as one example. the ends just slip into each other. another method is called a spigot ferrule. either way, you don't need to buy a separate ferrule unless you're creating a bamboo blank or something otherwise unusual.

and as tom said, extend the ferrule wrap 1.5 times the diameter of the ferrule opening. this is approximate but from years of reading forums like this, whenever people go longer, say 2x, they realize it's too long, it just doesn't look right.

congrats on finishing your first rod. the hours of planning this second is part of the fun! :) keep in mind for the third rod... if you buy from the list of sponsors to the left, or even others who specialize selling components for rod building, feel free to chat them up and ask for suggestions. outline what you are doing. in my experience, each has been very friendly and accommodating in sharing advice for finding the best combination of components for your project. and obviously, come back here for more questions.

eric
fresno, ca.