Hello, new to the forum, new to rod building. I hope someone can help. I am getting ready to build a 4 pc, 9 ft 6 wt. How important is it to find the spine on the butt section? I am not so worried about the other 3 sections, But I have read that it is just about as easy to break this section as it is to find the spine.

I would find the straightest axis on each section and assemble it that way. Spine is not really of any importance, but in the vertical plane you'll want the rod to be as straight as possible.

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Not important at all.
I spine all my blanks.
First of all - is there a logo on the butt? If there is one - it is spined already.
But if not - assemble the butt (S1) and the 2nd section (S2). Spine those as one piece.
next spine the next section (S3) and the tip (S4).
Assemble the whole rod according to your spine marks.
Then spine the assembled blank. If all the spine marks are looking you in the face - you are all set.
If not - the errant spine marks will most likely be on the S3 and S4.
Keeping the blank assembled - wipe off your old marks on S#3 and S4 and re-spine the assembled blank and make new spine marks.
That's as good as you can get.
Herb.

Thanks for your reply.

I will spine the blank just to see how close it is to the straightest axis. Remember, the guides are going to make the blank bend where it is supposed to. You really have to build it as Tom has described because it will look like a crooked dinosaurs back if you don't. On occasion the straightest axis will match the spine.

blanks are so well made today that the spine is so weak and really not worth looking for..even low priced E-glass rods don,t have near the spine they used to..it,s a non-issue any more..i make them so they look straight.

Tom Kirkman Wrote:
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> I would find the straightest axis on each section
> and assemble it that way. Spine is not really of
> any importance, but in the vertical plane you'll
> want the rod to be as straight as possible.
>
> ..................
Sorry but I'm spatial challenged so what does building on the straightest axis mean in practice? A curved section is not straight so how do you find the straightest axis? In multiple sections have curves, do you assemble the entire rod and use the various curves to offset each other? Do you line up the natural curves so that they add to each other? And where do you place the guides in relation to the "straightest" axis? How do you find the straightest axis?

Spatially challenged,
Mike J

Various ways - line of sight. Or you can install the butt of each section in your lathe chuck with a support just a few inches forward of that and rotate the rod until the opposite end is pointing up. You will always have a curve, but you want it in-line section to section and positioned so that the curve is belly down, tip and butt up. That is your best position for fishing so place the guides accordingly per what type rod you're building.

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