Hey Will, I'm fairly new to this too. When I wonder what to do, I go look at some factory built rods for basic information. I check the length of the handle and reel seat, guide placement, butt wrap length, what's done at the ferrrules, etc ... If you're like me you probably have plenty of rods you've bought laying around the house to use as examples. That will answer a lot of the easy que
Forum: rodboard

Mark, I'm like you in that I'm just started turning cork. I'm not old hat to rod building, but I hope I can help you steepen the learning curve. So I'm in the same stage as you. Actually turning cork is relatively easy, and a lot of fun. I've been a pain in Andy's butt lately, but go to his web site, and get your mandrel. You have got to have one to turn cork properly. When, it comes
Forum: rodboard

Thanks a lot, wow so much information. I'm glad there wasn't any football on today so I had time to read it. Jim was right, I was reaming it, not boring it. ( There's a really dirty joke there, but I'm not touching it. Damn it!!) However, all the information is great because I am going to be trying to build a reel seat next. But, that's a couple rods down the road. Andy, I'll keep watch
Forum: rodboard

I just bored out a zebrawood reel seat with a bastard file and elbow grease. There has got to be a better way, and I am hoping someone can tell me what it is. I bruised the crap out of my hand doing it. The only good thing was the pain took my mind off the fact that the only thing on TV was American Idle. What is the best way to bore a hardwood reel seat?
Forum: rodboard

I'm still pretty new to building rods, but the loosening reel seat is not new to me. That particular issue was part of the reason I started building rods. My right arm got injured a 20-some years ago, so now I cast left handed, and then switch hands. I constantly had to tighten up my reel. So when I built my first rod, I made it downlocking. It seems to have solved that problem for me. Sin
Forum: rodboard