What are the more standout/tried and true blanks in the NFC lineup? I’ve studied the catalog pretty extensively, but after reading accounts of some disparities (power of the SJ703 versus SJ732 for example), I’m curious what the crowd thinks. What are the rockstars in the lineup? Obviously, opinions vary. But I’m sure there are some that are more popular than others for good reason. Sorry if this
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I have been building for a few years and always used the same technique for finding the rod's spine. However, I have been wondering if my method is correct. I have read a lot of ways to spine and watched many YouTube videos, but something doesn't seem right to me. Most of the discussions about spinning the rod say to roll the rod until it jumps/pops etc. Then mark the rod. So here's my que
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Dear Rod Builders, There has been a few posts about blank variances, and while I cannot address those of different manufacturers, I can address those related to NFC. I had an email exchange with a customer/participant of this forum, and our thread is below. If they wish, they can chime in, but below is an excerpt from our discussion, with some more info added: I hope that it serves to ed
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There is always a lot of discussion and debate about building on or off the spine and how it affects the finished rod. I checked a graphite 7.5 foot blank today and this is what I found. First of all finding the spine was a piece of cake, obvious without any special tool. THIS IS ONE BLANK. I DON'T ARGUE THAT THESE RESULTS WILL BE THE SAME FOR EVERY BLANK. But I do believe that they are a
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Congratulations to Michael Danek for his fine article on TNF (True Natural Frequency) in the last issue (26-5) of RodMaker magazine. Although there are those who contend that the only “feel” of what is going on below the surface is due solely due to thumps and restrictions at the hook (fish strike, bottom contact ect.), I contend and am confident that a rod with a higher TNF will transmit those t
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I received 2 blanks today, the C602 864-06. Neither is even close to straight for the last foot or 15". Honestly disappointed. I waited for these blanks, as they were the latest greatest. Not worth my time or effort to return, just disappointing. St Croix. God bless.
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I stripped an old Fenwick 6'-6" rod. I checked the spline. I was surprised to find the spline was off by almost 90° . Back in 1998 this was an expensive rod. I thought Fenwick was a good rod. I can't believe Fenwick skipped setting the spline.
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I'm in the process of building my first fly rod. It's a NFC 9', 2 piece 5wt. I've already built the handle and established the straightest axis for each piece. I have two suggestions for guide sizing; both have 11 guides + tip. The strippers are a 12 and a 10 on both suggestions, but after that it differs. One recipe is 12, 10, (both double foot), then 5, 4, two 3's, and four 2's. The other is 12
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Hey guys, I’m having a small dilemma on something I can’t find an existing thread on. I build all my rods on the straightest axis and haven’t had any problems until now. The current rod I’m building, a 9ft 7wt fly rod, i oriented in a way that the bend in the top section was belly down tip up. After wrapping all the sections and lining up all the guides, my rod is slightly curving towards the
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Ok, For years I have spined my rods. But recently I have read that it isn't necessary. So what is the consensus here. Should we spine our rods or not, if yes how do you actually spine your rods.
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I’ve seen several people talk of placing guides on straightest axis of blank vs finding the spine. What are the pros and cons of each and why one way or another? Thanks
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This question is probably a little embarrassing, but quite honestly, I'm getting too old to care. But in the interest of trying to learn something new every day, I will ask. I see that the "standard" way of assembling a rod is to mount the tip top after your reel seat is in its proper place, and mounting the remainder of the guides from the butt end forward. Why? I have always m
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In the now infamous thread "Has NFC gone downhill?", there was some discussion by some pretty experienced people regarding the preferred placement of guides on a blank. As is often the case, there was also some disagreement among the participants in the discussion related to this. Because it has been bugging me, I decided to address it. First off, I agree with Ed Rose who in the di
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Ive tried to stay a fan but blank quality is dropping lately and customer service is non existent. I was promised a Gary signed COA for one of their new blanks months ago… nothing. I guess the Shimano teet is still warm enough that we don't matter. The last blank I received a week or so ago looks like a broken finger off a melting snowman.
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Ok, so I'm sure the first question might be why? It's a rod I've used for several years and it's beginning to show its age. One eye is damaged and needs replaced. When I first learned about rod building and the importance of the spine. I decided to check my store bought ones. Shocker, this one isn't on spine. There are other issues and I'm sure it would be more cost effective to pitch it and star
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Hi all, I've never built a rod before, but I'm making four 5'6 spinning rods as Christmas gifts for kids (4rys-9yrs). I have some practice rod kits on the way, but was hoping for some input on materials. How much epoxy do you think that will burn through (wraps and grips etc. using separate epoxy)? I think I might grab some cheaper epoxy (since I got a little bit more expensive epoxy for m
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I'm trying to find the best, most accurate way to find the spine across multi-piece blanks? Thanks very much! Craig Snapp
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As the title suggests, how do you align the guides on your rod builds? There must be pros and cons to either / both methods to be considered while developing a personal preference. Personally, I position the guides of my builds in the straightest, line-of-sight alignment because when sighting down the rod (as virtually everyone does, including customers), the guides are in perfect alignment with
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Hi all, I am planning to build steelhead rod. I have few questions I need help with, any input will be appreciated. 1. I am leaning toward northfork ST 904 blank. There are 2 options- HM and IM. what will be the main difference between those besides blank weight and price? Is this one of those -"u get what you pay" or else? 2. How do I find spine on 2 piece blank? 3. I am think
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I recently finished a NFC 703-1, and I love it! I used a 20-10-5.5 reduction, and ultimately 5 more 5.5 running guides plus the tip top. The blank is 7' long, and so it took 8 guides plus the tip. Not long after I purchased the 703, I decided to try to put one together that was a little heavier, and ended up with a MB 765-1 Neo. This one is 7 1/2 feet long. I saw no reason not to set
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Hi all, I have finally decided to build my first rod. I plan to build spinning rod on NFC SB 683 blank, I would like to keep it as light as possible and pair it with new vanford 2500 (6.3 oz). Thinking of fuji vss hidden thread reel seat(size 16) and fuji titanium frame sic-s guides. I think to trim foregrip cork a bit to reduce weight. Will I achieve a minimum rod weight with this set up?
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Is there any evidence that rods built with certain blanks and certain components will cast farther and/or with more accuracy than rods built with other blanks and components? Most serious anglers value performance over appearance, but advertisements for rod blanks and components do not reveal how their products perform. Why not? Maybe they all perform alike!
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Want help with Spine finding/ guide spacing on NFC 805-4 Iconoglass Fly Rod Haven't built one of these before. Is finding the spine important? And what about guide spacing/ size for this 8' 5 wt. fly rod? Any suggestions for guide sizing, spacing? And wrap thread sizes. And difference from usual graphite rods, or go silk and lighter? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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Hi Mates, what is the best solution, when my rod blank has a misallignement mistake? After finishing the whole building process, I have recognised, that there's a misallignment between the top two sections (fly rod, 4 pcs). The female part of the ferrule is not coaxial with the blank axis, so the top section stands sideways. It looks as if it was cracked. The deviation is roughly 3 mm (cca.
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Hello, I bought a NFC blank (SWB807IM) and checking it for the spine, I noticed that it is not perfectly straight. For about 1 feet, from the TIP, it bends to the left with respect to its spine (I don't know how much, compared to the tip line maybe 1/2 inch). What can I do? Is it possible to straighten it? I've read that some builders straighten crooked blanks using heat. What could be the co
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For those in the know, what percent of blanks are culled by the blank maker due to straightness? It probably varies with maker, but given that no blank is perfectly straight, how much deviation do they let out the door? I have noticed that Point Blank states on their website they cull, and I would assume some, if not most, of these culls are due to straightness When you get a new blank
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I am just finishing up a 6-wt fly rod for my cardiologist and was reminded again just how good the AT Bushido blanks are! I never have to worry about looking for the straightest axis for the 4 pieces because each piece was as straight as a die! I have consistently gotten great blanks from AT, with great customer service if I ever do have an issue (last issue was about 8 years ago... none since!
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I acquired an older Calstar 6465 XH-B that I thought would make a great rail rod. It's so stiff that finding the spine the usual way by having the butt on the floor and applying pressure against the blank while supporting the tip just wasn't getting it, so I used the straightest axis to find it. That worked well. Everything was going smoothly until I glued up the aluminum reel seat. It required v
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I'm working on a Calstar BT6460XH. The blank is short and stiff and my attempts to "find the spline" are getting inconsistent results. I've never been very confident on my ability to find the spine via the "bend it, roll it, and mark where it stops" method. As I was sighting along the blank, I noticed that there's a distinct white line running the length of the inside.
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Hello All, I stumbled across the video linked below where Gary seems to contradict popular opinion on guide placement: He seems to state that guides should be placed on top of the bend for casting setups and below for spinning. Am I interpreting this wrong? If no, what are everyone's thoughts on this? I suppose i get the casting distance argument, but wouldn't this put the rod under inc
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