I have been experimenting with the new Equal Angle System. All seems to work well except the set-up point (where the blank deflects 1/2") always seems too close to the butt end when I do it. For example, I just measured a Spinning Rod blank, and the set-up point is almost right where the last guide (i.e. guide closet to the reel handle) would normally go. I know this will vary with action, but this is an extra fast jig-spin blank. I would think the set-up would move much farther down towards the handle if I were using a moderate action blank.

Is there a trick to flexing the blank? I measured the 90 degree point with T-Square so I am pretty sure this part is accurate.

Thanks for any ideas here.

Lee

You can easily eyeball the 90 degrees. What you need to remember is that the more pressure you put on the blank, the further down that 90 degree bend will move down the blank.

You're just looking for the place where it first forms a 90 degree bend and where it first deviates from vertical is your set-up point. On a very fast action blank, this would be in the upper 1/3rd of the blank. If it isn't, you don't have a fast action blank.

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Tom:

Thanks for the reply. I had been pulling on the tip (same angle as you would fight a fish). However, if I push down on the tip with my finger, the flex of the rod is different and the set-up point moves up. Depending on the angle of force you use to flex the tip makes a big different on how the blank curvature. All of this seems somewhat inexact and makes me wonder how to do it right. It might be one of those things you need to see in person, or have somebody watch you do it.

Lee......

I won't argue with the thing about seeing it in person. Don't press down on the tip, just lightly flex the blank from the tip until it forms a 90 degree bend. Remember that it will flex much farther than that when you fight a good fish, but all we're doing here is setting up the guide placement and we just need someplace to begin.

I assume you realize that more guides are also placed behind the set-up point, and they are located according to the guidelines listed in the article.

Please follow up with any other questions. I think Don Morton (the originator) would agree that the system is very simple, albeit very hard to explain in words sometimes.

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I've studied the article fairly intensely so I knew that more guides go behind the set-up point. That's why I felt something was wrong when it looked like the set-up point would end up being the first butt guide (closest to reel seat).

Your latest comments give me a much better feeling for this. I just have to develop a comfort level with flexing the blank in a proper and consistent manner (which shouldn't take too much more practice with the extra advice you have given me).

I would agree that it is very simple, I am commited to using the equal angle system from now on. The exactness of matching the guide placement to the individual characteristics of a blank is very appealing to me. Even with my slight "learning hiccups" I can already see that its much faster than the stress testing/test casting cycle that I currently use (although I still plan to do some test casting).

Thanks again for all of your help. I'll let you know how I come out.

Lee

Here's a tip that might help too. Pressure the blank pretty good. Then remove the pressure and continue removing it until the blank firsts moves out of a 90 degree bend. Then back up and apply just enough pressure to get the 90 degree bend back. That should help you find that point where it first forms that degree of bend and that is where I understand you want to start at.