Hello Everyone,

I am new to Rod Building and as I am starting to do more of the same rod configuration I have come across something that I would like some feedback on.
Recently I ordered 2 of the exact same blank. I ordered parts for each of the blanks with and exposed blank reel seat. When the parts came in one fits perfectly, the other the reel seat slides all the way down to the end of the blank. Going forward I will underside the seat and reem it out to fit the rod perfectly(contrary to what my wife believes I can learn new things).

My question to the group is: Do you see large variances between the same spec'd blank? What is "normal"?
This is what I got:
Carbon Fiber Blanks
Blank #1 Butt: .565 Tip: 4.5
Blank #2 Butt: .531 Tip: 3.5

I reached out to the manufacturer a few times and haven't heard from them. It has been 2 months and I need to see if I should just build it as is or is it something that I should sent back for being out of tolerance.

Thank you for taking the time to read and any advice is appreciated.

Josh

That kind of variation within a particular model is not normal in my experience. You most probably received two different models by mistake, that does happen from time to time.
Norm

This is not normal as Norm has stated. Blanks are built on a mandril designated for a particular model, so they should be within a given tolerance. Hopefully the allowed tolerance isn't that much.

Thank you Norm and Lance. I thought something was off but I just don't have the experience to know for sure. I will reach out to them manufacturer again.

I would lay odds that the native language of the manufacturer is not English.

And I would lay odds that the native language of the manufacturer is most decidedly English.

3 of the last 5 blanks I have ordered from a well known US blank manufacturer, have had dimensions that were not even close to the dimensions the manufacturer provided for those blanks. I have no doubt that 2 of the blanks were not the blanks I ordered. The other blank in question is either not the blank I ordered, or the dimensions for the blank provided by the manufacturer are horribly misprinted, or ...... the adherence to tolerances in the manufacturing process are grossly disregarded.

A blank that is reported to have a tip size of 4.5 should not require a 5.5 tip top to fit it. If a blank is reported to have a butt diameter of .560" it should not have a butt diameter of .579"

I get so tired of people saying that anything built overseas is junk or has no quality control. Where the product is built has zero to do with quality control.

In fact, I have purchased more than a few rod blanks that were built overseas, and never have I questioned if I got the right blank or not. As far as blanks that I have sent back because of quality issues. I have sent back 2 blanks that were manufactured in the USA, and only 1 that was built overseas.

So please stop with the nonsense that anything built in the US is golden, and anything built overseas is trash. Because it just isn't so .......

Agree, David. If we in the US don't get our act together very soon we are going to be in bigger trouble than we are now in. And we are in big trouble right now. Not because the others are smarter, but they are willing to work and continually improve. The Japanese almost killed the US auto industry due to its complacence and failure to recognize what the competition was doing. We taught them quality then forgot it. Going forward we must get rid of the assumptions that others have lower quality and are less capable. Because they are Chinese. Or Japanese. Or Mexican. From my experience people from these three cultures are not only smart, but work hard, and I am not hesitant to hire any of them.