I don't know what happened to my post so let me try this again. I have never built s rod before & would really like to build my own in the Revolver style. I talked with Rich Forhan & he gave me a little guidance on where to start. He told me to get the two books from Clemens, the book by Kirkman, & subscribe to RodMaker magazine. Well I have all those on the way, but while I'm waiting I have a couple other questions.

1) What tools & equipment do I need to get started?

2) What catalogs or online dealers should I start looking at for the things I'll need?

3) Last, is rod building as addicting as fly tying & lure building?

Thanks,
Tony

If you are buying the Clemens book there is a whole chapter with drawings on building your own tools.. Excellent book to have.. If you dont want build your own then you have to start buying tools.. Thanks Dave's Rods

Tony if your first post used just one name that is why it was deleted,as to your questions-the links on the left all lead to various component suppliers-click on them go to their sites and see what is available-should take a month to cover them all- as to equipment best advice is to do a search on this board just about every type of tool needed has been covered from home made lathes to the top of the line- read thru some of the past post to gret the flavor of the site.
finally yes it is additicting perhaps worse then the others since no perfection is ever achieved only sought after and one hopes every rod built will be better then the last
John

Rod building does not require a large assortment of tools nor a large investment. But, having some special tools can be very nice!

I would say that you could effectively put together your first rod with a couple of V-stands made from wooden blocks. A round bastard file, a single edge razor bland, some tape, maybe some sandpaper or Scotchbrite and a paint brush. That's the minimum basics that are required. After you have built one or two rods you will soon see what you would like to add to make the hobby more convenient for you.

The bad news, however, is that it is a chronic and often addicting condition and the only cure is to build more rods. Eventually many rod builders succumb to having to build rods not only for themselves but for family and friends, just to have somewhere to put them all. It's a terrible thing but with proper treatment, can be controlled.

There is a list of good dealers to the left. All are willing to help you get started.

..........

The sponsers on the left can help you on the first two questions. The third question well, when I got started in this craft I purchased quality tools because I knew I would be in it for life. And I am very glad I did. As I look at my shop area I count approximately 100 blanks , boxes and boxes of cork, guides, reel seats, threads and know telling what else. When I am not taking customers out fishing or assisting Surgeons in the OR, I am thinking of thread color combinations or a better Tarpon rod. Is it addicting? Ha,Ha.Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha

Tony, answer to question 2; all of them. Answer to question 3; plan on spending time not spent fishing and rod building on this site! Sincerely, Joe Hart