Read your article in the last issue about equal
angle placement.
The Nov.-Dec. issue of Rod Crafters also had an
article on quide placement.
Is there realy that much difference between the
two methods! Rod Crafter method seems easier to
perform, and you still could incorporate the use of a
spine finder.
What am I missing between the two methods.

There are many methods for guide placement. Done properly, all work well. Some are quicker than others (Don's Equal Angle system only takes about 2 minutes per rod so I wouldn't call it a lengthy procedure!) and you just have to find the one that works best for you.

The criteria we look for are roughly:

1. There are enough guides to provide adequate stress distribution for the blank.

2. There are not so many guides, or such large guides, that we undermine blank efficiency.

3. The line travels in a straight path from reel to tip.

4. The line flows on the cast without drooping or "chatter" (Don's term).

5. Guide placement is opitimized for the particular taper you are working with.

6. The rod is stable under load.

Whatever placement system meets these criteria is fine. There are others you can add, but these are the basics.

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