Tom, I have only been building rods for about a year and a half and I am trying to learn all I can to be better at it. At the 2017 expo I would like to see a demonstration on the static test. I have been to the last two expos and enjoy them very much. I have been working on the static thing, I have read your article and other writings and I struggle with this. I can not find a video in detail so I need to see first hand if possible. I hope you will consider this. Thanks for all you do. Phil Ayers

Good idea Phil, not all attendees are veteran builders. Perhaps they can do one on a fast action rod then one on a moderate action to show you the difference in how it would have been laid out !!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2016 09:45AM by Tom Wewerka.

That's a good idea, I may well add such a presentation to the 2017 seminar list.

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

This may also help
[anglersresource.net]

Bill - willierods.com

Phil,
i realize you have been building for a while but you might want to consider taking the Mud Hole Custom Tackle rod building class. Day 1 you build an entire rod from scratch including wrapping and finish application. Day two is all advanced techniques demonstrations including a detailed demonstration for a static line deflection test and custom guide spacing for spin rods, casting rods, and casting rods with spiral wraps. A number of builders with some experience take this course and have commented on how informative the advanced demonstrations are, including static line deflection test.

Good luck,
Buzz

I did take the Mudhole class and it was not part of the second day on the class I took in Charlotte. I took the class first, it will be two years this Feb. If it was mentioned I don't remember it there was no demo. Phil

I struggle with the static test also. How much is too much load? Stop at 90 deg. or less? Line touching blank while at 90 deg? Just some of my hang ups. I always end up with too many guides. Hope to make the next expo and would like to see this presentation.

Joe,
If you wanted, you could always just go with 5 guides, and not worry about where the line touches or goes under the blank.

A lot of commercial rods are built like this and they seldom have breakage issues.

If you think about it, normally it doesn't make a lot of difference if the line touches or goes under the blank.

I would not build a rod like this with such few guides on a soft tipped rod, but it is possible.

Part of the fact of custom - rods - is that the builder has the choice of type, size, and number of guides on a rod.

If building a casting rod, you always have the option of building the rod with a spiral wrap so that the line is under the rod for the bulk of its run. If you use fewer guides, you use fewer guides.

In addition, I do the static test of the blank before doing any work on the blank. I basically just use the floor to static test the blank, such that the blank is flexed to 90 degrees. If the blank is going to be an issue, I want the blank broken before I ever spend any time on the blank at all.

When I do my guide placement testing, I just thread the line through the guides and pull about a 30 degree flex into the blank to be sure that the blank loads properly with the guide placement.


Be safe



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2016 04:22PM by roger wilson.

Phil, I'm in the same boat with you. I've only been at this a short time, so take this with a handful of salt.

I cut off about 12' from the back end of an old fly line; the running section. It's bright yellow, making it easy to see. I never flex the rod past 90 degrees. but do go that far. Start out by flexing just a little bit. Just far enough to place the first guide or two down from the tip. Flex the blank further to place guides further down the blank, but don't go past 90 degrees. When you got them all where you think they should be, relax the blank, then start flexing slowly, from no load up to 90 degrees and back. Do this a couple of times, slowly, and watch the fly line as it relates to the blank. It should follow the blank's curve closely, without any sharp bends. Even out the angles in the fly line, and you're done. I always then lay the rod on the bench, measure all the guides form the tip, and record the measurements.

It get easier each time.

Gary
Using fly line is an excellent idea. I don't know why I never thought of it. Great tip

look around for some cheap fly in on the net I have been using it for years I use the thin running line Works well for bad eyes to alien guides also

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks, Bill. I forgot to mention I use the same piece of line for guide alignment. Works good for my old eyes.