I just saw a video, , where a fellow explained rod spine as where the layers of graphite (young fellow, never heard of fiberglass) overlap as the material is rolled on the mandrel. Where the end of the material acts with the beginning of the material to create a stronger side, thus forming the spine. He further explains how the spine must be placed as the rod bends so the rod doesn’t twist under
Forum: rodboard

Up to now I have only wrapped one piece 7-8 foot off shore rods and know you need to find the spine for placing the reel seat and guides. I just purchased a couple of lamiglas downrigger blanks and I am wondering if you need to find the spine for these rods? I placed the butt half of the blank with the end wrapped in masking tape to make it fatter so it fit better in my spine finder and put a ben
Forum: rodboard

I have read various threads here that discuss the best way tp place guides on the rod. Some say to place the guides on the belly, while other state that placing the guides on the stiffest spine is best. Still others favor a corkscrew orientation. From an engineering standpoint, I know that the lifting power o fthe rod comes from the bottom end of the rod blank. So, a hybrid approach makes sen
Forum: rodboard

I bought a blank, spined it and have the handle on it. I happened to look down the blank from the handle side and noticed it is crooked starting about 20” from the tip. Should I be concerned about this? Not sure how to get the guides lined up? And, the first this a customer usually does is look down the blank to see how the guides look. Not sure how to post a picture on here to show it but i
Forum: rodboard

I read the thread on spine vs straightest axis. What are some techniques for a 4 piece fly rod, if any?
Forum: rodboard

I have been reading the forum for a while now without posting and have finally had enough of people spouting RUBBISH about how the spine doesn't matter.. It does matter - a LOT I tested all my rods by hand and those that had a strong spine which weren't spine built torque twisted horribly under load - the effect was obvious, horrible, and very detrimental - basically a terrible lack of sensiti
Forum: rodboard

Hey everyone! I'm a beginner rod builder (in my 30s) and I am working on making my first custom build from top to bottom. I've been a fisherman since I could walk, but I never dived into the intricacies of more advanced fishing. I've recently grabbed a few spinning rods/reels and have been fishing heavily the last few months (focusing on finesse ned/neko rigs, worming texas/carolina, and sm/
Forum: rodboard

Rod blank fabricators use prepreg graphite fabric from a limited number of producers, use bonding agents from a limited number of suppliers, and employ mandrels to shape rod blanks from an even smaller number of alternatives. Advertising and pricing are not reliable guides to the performance of rods or rod blanks, any more than the most expensive, hyped-up golf clubs will perform best for the vas
Forum: rodboard

Greetings. I've been building rods for just over a year now. I've got a few under my belt. I build inshore saltwater spinning and casting along with fly rods for both salt and fresh (trout in NC). I build for myself, friends and family. As one of those people that likes details and data I have started to work with the Common Cents System. I've built myself a fixture for supporting rods in a repet
Forum: rodboard

Hello, new to the forum, new to rod building. I hope someone can help. I am getting ready to build a 4 pc, 9 ft 6 wt. How important is it to find the spine on the butt section? I am not so worried about the other 3 sections, But I have read that it is just about as easy to break this section as it is to find the spine.
Forum: rodboard

Apparently I am either stupid or physically challenged, I cant for the life of me make a rod do anything when i am trying to spine it. I have watched the mudhole video repeatedly, bought the crb spine finder and I cant make putting it on a flat surface and bending it towards the ceiling or using the spine finder and bending it towards the ground work. I have tried rolling it, pinching it and cuss
Forum: rodboard

Hi guys, Ok, so I have 2 Rainshadow 6'2" spinning rod blanks (fast and xfast) for walleye jigging. From an earlier post, it was suggested to place reel seat at around 8 to 10 inches from the butt. With the microwave guides, I now have, they overlap of how American would space the guides. They have a 2 step process in measuring. First is to measure from the lip of the spool and plac
Forum: rodboard

While I'm waiting for my NFC MB736 XRay to come in, I'm trying to figure out the guide train. I haven't decided on whether I'll spiral wrap it or not, but I'm considering both options for now. I've read through more than a few posts on the forum, but haven't read much on using the newer KR concept guides for spiral wrapping. Here are the options that I'm debating... Reel Setup -30 lb Daiwa
Forum: rodboard

I am building a 4 piece fly rod. I am at the point of trying to align the pieces to find the axis for the guides. What process do you use to find the axis when dealing with multiple piece rods? Also, how big/small of a loop is acceptable for the tip when rotating the blank?
Forum: rodboard

What is your position on the building of fly rods regarding placement of the spine? More power on the fighting of the fish and back cast stroke, or more power on the loading for the forward casting stroke. I've been told that more power on the forward stroke can cause the tip to move in ellipses causing casting problems.
Forum: rodboard

I did a search for Spiral Wrap and Acid Wrap but none came up, so if there is a thread (pun) on it already, please point me in the right direction. Otherwise... I understand the concept and theory behind the spiral wrap but I haven't found any information on setting it up. I'm looking for a straight answer on: Which spline to use, Casting or spinning? Number of guides? Degrees of rotation?.
Forum: rodboard

I bought a Tsunami slow pitch acid wrapped rod that is giving me a problem. The line often gets wrapped around the tip. Anyway I want to rewrap the rod into the conventional straight guide format.The only issue is that I`m having trouble finding the spine of the rod. I don`t know if the true spine was established on this store bought rod at all.
Forum: rodboard

‘Morning all. I just received a 9wt Sage Salt HD blank for a build. Does anyone have advice on how to remove the silk screened logo on the blank? They are never in the right place and often off axis to the spine I want to use (not that it matters that much in a butt section) I recently did a Sage Mod and the black ink used in the logo came off with acetone in a wile or three. For a Sage X w
Forum: rodboard

I am under the undestanding that for the most part, on the guide system, your stripper guide should be around half the diameter of the reel spool size correct? This is for spinning rods of coarse.. I know theres alot of other factors to concider as well.. Just want to make sure im correct in this..
Forum: rodboard

I generally build to the straightest axis and forget about it on spinning rods. But I started using some blanks that generally have a very pronounced spine - they are smaller diameter slightly heavier wall, bass and walleye type spinning rods. With the really pronounced spine, and wanting to jump to a particular spot when checked, I'm having a hard time not building to the spine on them.
Forum: rodboard

Forum: rodboard

Ok watched too many youtube videos and got confused again. Looking for thoughts on spine location of a blank and how to orientate guides to the spine. I have always used a spine finder that holds the blank horizontal. I roll the blank as I bend the the tip to the floor. Now is the spine on the top of the blank or the bottom? Inside the bend or outside? Been awhile since I have built rods.
Forum: rodboard

First of all thank you to all that have given guidance so far to a new guy at this. I have an older, mid 90s, composite/glass? Lew’s 7’ cranking rod. It’s a great rod for small crankbaits and have caught no telling how many fish on it. Last time out I noticed the reel seat was cracked all the way around. Tonight I successfully removed the old cork handle, reel seat and foregrip. I then lightl
Forum: rodboard

I have read different opinions on whether spining a rod is necessary or is building it on the straightest axis the way to go?
Forum: rodboard

Ok, so i have a understanding.. Sorta.. The first question is about the process setup.. I understand the ccs is primarly based on fly rods, which explains why you would place your rod in the holder with the guides facing up.. In fly fishing you load your line primarily on the back cast.. Over your head.. And behind you.. The system can be used for spin fishing rods too, but i primarily cast f
Forum: rodboard

A few years back every other post on this site seemed to be about the spine or "spline" of a rod blank. Today this topic has been abandoned in favor of the best guide spacing, right down to the millimeter. I have never seen any credible, objective tests comparing the distance or accuracy or ANY performance feature of completed rods with differing spine alinements or guide spacing? Are
Forum: rodboard

To All......Is there a generally accepted +/- tolerance in degrees off the spline centerline when mounting the reel seat? I realize that 0° off center is the goal, but how much off-center, (left or right), would be acceptable?
Forum: rodboard

I've never had any issues with aligning my eyes when replacing them butvit always been such a tedious task for me. Even when I think I have them just perfect, I still look down the rod and pontificate thinking one eye is .001 out of alignment with all the others. My girlfriend calls me a "perfectionist to the extreme", i just want to make it right! Right now, I have a "V" s
Forum: rodboard

I am building a 13', 7/8 wt. spey rod and want to be sure to find the spine. I have a spine finder (2 ball bearing raceway, one in each end of finder) and according to Dale Clemens (in Advanced Custom Rod Building) when you push down on the tip the blank will roll to point where effective spine will be on top. Is this accurate in your experience? A friend says no... the spine is heavier
Forum: rodboard

FIRST HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FERRULE AND NOW JUST RUINED A BLANK I AM JUST SORRY I EVER DID A COURSE AND TRIED TO GET INTO THIS SICK AND TIRED, AND WALLET IS FEELING VERY SORRY FOR ITSELF, AND GOODBYE
Forum: rodboard