I'm just undertaking my first rod building project. I'm building a 9' #4 fly rod using MHX blanks. I have read a variety of articles about how to find the spine in the blank, however I am really struggling as the blank sections appears to deflect similarly in each direction. How critical is it to spine a rod? I understand at least one prestigious American tackle manufacturer doesn't spine their rods.
Thank you in advance
John

It's not that important. Build on the straightest side. Click on the search button and read some past posts. Good luck.

Thanks Michael, That's the answer I was hoping for!

Roll the section on your table or countertop, the bend, if any, will rise off the surface. Mark the blank with your china marker, chalk, etc. if it's to the right or left of center while testing you'll see the tip swinging that direction as you roll it. Line up all the marks and your ready to wrap. You can sight down the blank also, but I find it harder on my old eyes, and slower.

Finding the spline of a Rod is easy simply lay the butt of the blank on the ground and put your hand on the upper section of the blank and move you hand forward and you will feel a jump in the blank and this is the spine. There are some blanks that have a double spine and in that case just build on the biggest of the two spines on the Rod blank and building on the spine of a blank is the best way to get the best prefomance out of any Rod you make.

Glenn McMurrian

For your consideration as you grow in rod building experience:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

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Building on the spine has questionable if any benefits, When they first started rolling blanks from glass and carbon fiber materials, the spine was very pronounced and it became fashionable to build on either the positive on negative side of the spine. Today it makes very little sense as it has no benefit if fighting fish and little if any in casting as most casting, especially fly is done on multiple planes. The extreme example would be in Spey casting.

John: I am old school, and spine my blanks. Once you get used to it, it is fast and simple. I put the tip of the blank, or section if it a multi piece rod, in a flat surface, I hold the other end in 1 hand and use my other hand to flex the blank or section. Rotate the blank and you will feel it jump or kick when you hit the spine. Like Glenn said, there might be 2 or 3 spines. Use the widest one, mark it with a china marker. If I am doing a multi piece rod, I do each section, and on a 2 section rod, I put the sections together and spine the whole rod. You may have to make some adjustments to fine tune things.

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

John: I am old school, and spine my blanks. Once you get used to it, it is fast and simple. I put the tip of the blank, or section if it a multi piece rod, in a flat surface, I hold the other end in 1 hand and use my other hand to flex the blank or section. Rotate the blank and you will feel it jump or kick when you hit the spine. Like Glenn said, there might be 2 or 3 spines. Use the widest one, mark it with a china marker. If I am doing a multi piece rod, I do each section, and on a 2 section rod, I put the sections together and spine the whole rod. You may have to make some adjustments to fine tune things.

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

Yes - skip the spine - built it to the straightest axis.

Thanks - Marc

Keep it simple - that's all I can handle!

If it is a decent blank, the straightest axis will be on the spline. It is a simple step, and worth putting the time in with. Lots of schools of thought on the issue, some blanks are really responsive, and others do not seem to care.. It is your call.

If it is a decent blank, the straightest axis will be on the spline. It is a simple step, and worth putting the time in with. Lots of schools of thought on the issue, some blanks are really responsive, and others do not seem to care.. It is your call.

If it is a decent blank, the straightest axis will be on the spline. It is a simple step, and worth putting the time in with. Lots of schools of thought on the issue, some blanks are really responsive, and others do not seem to care.. It is your call.

There has never been any practical evidence that building on the spine does anything for you. Conversely, there has been quite a bit of actual data and facts that reveal that building on the spine simply isn't important and can actually result in a less than optimum final product.

At any rate, it doesn't make any difference. Do whatever you think best.

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Thank you guys, I appreciate your contributions.

Okay, I've heard it many ways and have always built paying attention to the spine. I agree with both views of its relevance to building. I find the spine on on each section for matching the sections up, 2,3,4,ect.., then after aligning them together I build on the straighter alignment. Hopefully this will have the spine in the top or bottom. I've found this especially helpful on long rods, spey, switch.

This "spine" thing dates back to the greenheart/bamboo days, but I have never heard an explanation of what benefits are presumed to result from finding it?