How do you determine the spine of a 4 piece rod. Do you determine the spine of each segment, which is what I would expect, or is there another way. What about the lower sections. I have not had too much luck finding the spine on these sections, but I feel it probably isn't too significant for these sections since most flex is in the upper half.

Thanks.

I put each section on my rod wrapper rollers and turn If they have a little bend I mark the top when the bend is UP then put each section together

Bill - willierods.com

The bottom two can be difficult. You should determine them individually, of course, and sometimes all you can do on those lower couple are to use the straightest axis, assuming that the outside curve will be in line with the effective spine. It may not be, but it will suffice, particularly considering the overall unimportance of the spine anyway.

Once you find the spine of each section, assemble and recheck. The overlap of the ferrules will shift it a bit and you can remark the overall spine at that point. It'll only move a few degrees.

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From Tom's post "Once you find the spine of each section, assemble and recheck. The overlap of the ferrules will shift it a bit and you can remark the overall spine at that point. It'll only move a few degrees."

Yup just the way we teach it in the Mud Hole rod building class. Check each piece, mark and assemble, check again. Some of the grips sections might not flex to allow spine to be located, in those cases don't worry about it. Wrap the ferrules (mandatory, you didnt ask that part but I thought I would post it anyway) and you should be good.

Buzz

Like the above said. Spin each section. I then put 2 sections together, and spin them, and then the whole rod. I used to put the ferrule end on a table, and then flex and roll the rod section until I felt the "kick". A couple of years ago I did this and ended up with a shattered farrule end. I don't know if it was a defect in the blank, or not. I now put the tips on the table, and flex rod section. I haven't had a problem since.

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho