Straightest Axis question

[dixiefisher]

So...I have read my Dale Clemens book twice on fiberglass rod building....and all he addresses is spine location. I know it's a can of worms but, the new thought seems to be straightest axis location. I just want to see if I am on the right track for my build.
1. Sighting down the blank, I am looking for the point at which the rod tip doesn't lean right or left. Once I find this point, make a mark at the top of the blank.
2. Since I am building a 5'6" spinning rod....my guides will go on the opposite side of this mark.

Am I in the ball park??

[StickFish]

Yep. I also look to make sure the tip isn't pointing down

[fishfry]

Yep. I also look to make sure the tip isn't pointing down

What about a 2 piece? I have always found the spine and am finding I might try this method on my next build.

[dixiefisher]

Thank you!.....you know it's all the little details in this hobby..:)....a little daunting for this newbe.

[StickFish]

On multi piece blanks I do each piece separate. I basically chuck the blank up in my lathe and use only one rod support. I have a card with cross hairs on it (graph paper would also work) and rotate the blank when I find the spot I use the glare line on the blank from my over head lamps to mark the line with a china pencil.

[CRD4Liberty]

Not rocket science, quick and easy to do. Roll the blank on a smooth flat surface, when the tip lifts off the surface and centers your there, anything else will look like it's dropping and swinging to the right or left, much faster and easier than any other technique I know of.

[fishfry]

Sounds easy enough. I will try it on my next rod build.