I would like to learn more about rod blanks and guides. What the different modules (spelling?) ratings mean and how this effects the way the rod works. Also more information on guides, single foot and double foot, different materials used in constructions of the guides and what the pros and cons of each.

I have found several sites with fair to good information but I was hoping someone might have a web site or a book or a video in mind that will have all the information in one place.

Thanks for the help.

Here is the link to Fuji's website. Should tell everything you want to know. Also try Pac Bay's and see if they have info concerning guides. The modulous issue is beyond my knowledge. I believe, but don't know for sure, that the higher the modulous the faster the recovery (returns to resting position after load released) and I beleive the higher modulous will allow thinner, therefore lighter blanks. I am sure more knowledgable people will chime in soon.

[www.fujitackle.com]

Tom Kirkman has a wonderful book out that addresses all those questions. I bought mine through mudhole. If your starting out making rods it's a great place to start. Good luck

Spelling:Modulous ( of Elasticity) ability to "keep" original shape of a certain "body", and/or the "energy" that the process requires.

Tom Kirkman's book has the best down to earth explanations of modulus and spine that you will ever. It's got all the tech stuff , but you can still understand it.

Clint,
This is no doubt the premier site for your possible answers.

First off, I can almost assure you will find out all you want about blanks, components, and general or specific rodbuilding on this site. Just keep tuned, or go through a search of the archives. The various manufacturers will give their versions of information about their particular blanks. Check out also the St. Croix link to the left for some elementary explanations about power and action.

As mentioned, get a copy of Rod Building Guide... by T. Kirkman as the best beginning source to get a good grasp about guides and rod materials.
Ask away about specific topics that come to mind. What you already present for questions could fill quite a bit of pages on this board alone.

A basic approach might be to figure on the 3 W's as the rodbuilding applied to your fishing applications. What, Where, Why?
What species you might be after and the equipment usage with it may determine a lot about particular component selection.
Where you might be using the rod and it's attatched equipment?
The big blue sea, a fast river, a small stream, a big lake...where?
Why are you building this rod? For increased performance? For distance casting? More for fish fighting stability? for appearance? to show the skills you have put into it, and thus reflect on the choice of components?....Why?

The specifics about modulus, I won't get into at the moment (surely someone will though....I hope?). but also you'll want to know such things about stiffness to weight ratios, grades of graphite materials, the various spec. numbers behind why certain tapers, butt diameters and tips, etc. graphite vs. glass vs. composite, damping, loading, rebound, scrim, hoop strength, stress distribution, static deflection, etc. etc..... and this just in reference to blank characteristics and guide distribution. You asked about specifics about materials, and hopefully the manufacturers can throw some light on the subject to the limitations of their particular trade secrets.

Stay tuned and check back often to this site. You'll probably get a brain full.

Rich
Richard's Rod & Reel
www.rodreel.com

Clint, All of the above comments are excellent. Here is one I like. I have not seen Tom Kirkman's book yet, but another great book to try is Dale Clemens "Advanced Custom Rod Building". It is full of information that will never be outdated. It covers everything from how blanks are built to custom jigs and every thing in between. A practical, scientific and common sense piece of writing. It is probably avalaible through some of the sponsors on the left of this page.

I want to thank all of you for the information. I am building my first rod and the more I do the more questions I have. Again thank you all.
Clint