Rod Building

[Rooster1264]

I just finished this one. Calstar 700H, Alps guides, Alps reel seat, 8" slick butt with x-tubing and a 14" Eva front grip. Came out pretty nice. Started a Spider buttwrap but had to cut it off due to some spacing issues so I did the Closed Chevron instead.

[HiTekRdNek]

Very nice work.

[Hanapa'a Time]

The "Barney" rod turned out pretty nice

As usual great work


BTW are those guides triple wrapped......

[Rooster1264]

Originally Posted by Hanapa'a Time

The "Barney" rod turned out pretty nice

As usual great work


BTW are those guides triple wrapped......

You got me...Yes they are triple wrapped.

BTW..Those Calstar blanks you want me to get.....they are discontinued..
Smart Ass

[okie man]

its ok kurt, i can still get you the blanks. the price just might be higher!tripple wrapped steve, someone will not like that!

[Old Goat]

I made my first steelhead rod this week. Came out ok...but I had visions of adding some accent wraps and had trouble with the original wraps coming loose, so I called it good enough and glued it together. The guides are so close together and the rod tip so light...made it hard to get the wraps tight and kept rubbing on the previous wraps. Would appreiciate some hands on help from someone experienced. Would be willing to come to your place and just watch and learn...if anyone would offer.

[StickFish]

Old salt - guides almost touching? I don't understand?

On tie offs it depends on the thread you use some will need more warps to hold some less. Metallics are a little slicker, but six wraps has pretty much worked for me except some Sulkey threads on small diameter rods parts. I also pull them perpendicular to the wrap b4 I cut it off.

I'd offer to have you come watch sometime, but there are lots of guys on here far better at this than me

[Gooey]

Is the green under wrap anything more than cosmetic? I have built a bunch of salmon and steelhead rods and have always just lashed the guides directly on to the blank...any functional benefits to the under lay?

[Old Goat]

Originally Posted by StickFish

Old salt - guides almost touching? I don't understand?

The first two guides at the tip are 4" apart which makes the wraps about 2+3/4" apart. My wrapping device makes it difficult not to foul the previous wraps and the rod tip is so soft that it is hard to keep the wraps tight...tip does not stand up to the thread tension...flexes and the result is looser wraps. Makes me wish I was wrapping a stiff boat rod. The small diameter of a light steelhead rod makes wrapping more difficult too. It got a lot easier towards the butt. Probably like starting out tying a #28 fly rather than a #10. My next rod wont be any eaiser...a bobber rod for steelhead.

[StickFish]

OK get it now. Try this get one guide wrapped apply finish let it cure than do the next one. At least you won't mess up the other wrap. I used to use a oak v block and yes it can be tricky. Maybe increase your thread tension a little so the blank stays flexed.

[Old Goat]

Yeah, the oak vee block is a pain! I am thinking of purchasing the power wrapper from Batson. Around $300 and will also do cork turning.

[StickFish]

I got a Pac Bay and have not looked back. I did upgrade the chuck and I gotta say it is way better than the stock cam lock chuck

[Old Goat]

Who's got the best prices on the Pac Bay wrappers?

[okie man]

Originally Posted by Old Salt

The first two guides at the tip are 4" apart which makes the wraps about 2+3/4" apart. My wrapping device makes it difficult not to foul the previous wraps and the rod tip is so soft that it is hard to keep the wraps tight...tip does not stand up to the thread tension...flexes and the result is looser wraps. Makes me wish I was wrapping a stiff boat rod. The small diameter of a light steelhead rod makes wrapping more difficult too. It got a lot easier towards the butt. Probably like starting out tying a #28 fly rather than a #10. My next rod wont be any eaiser...a bobber rod for steelhead.

what kind of guides are you using that on 4'' center spacing you are getting your thread that close together. i take the guide and add 1/2 inch to the length tip of foot to tip of foot . you can also try not trimming your tags till after your done wrapping the tip section and do those last. you should burnish the thread from the outside in to keep from pulling your ends loose too. good luck.

[Old Goat]

Originally Posted by okie man

you should burnish the thread from the outside in to keep from pulling your ends loose too. good luck.

By burnish, do you mean to run a flame over the thread end?

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by Old Salt

By burnish, do you mean to run a flame over the thread end?

No to rub the threads with a burnish tool flattens the out and packs them together uniformly - look up burnish tool on Anglersworkshop or mudhole. You will want one especially if you get a power wrapper - great way to lay down and pack thread in one even motion.

[Hanapa'a Time]

Originally Posted by Old Salt

Who's got the best prices on the Pac Bay wrappers?

C&M Custom Tackle Rod Building Supplies/Acid Rod. Pac Bay is also offering a free epoxy mixer with the rod wrapper purchase. They also have the burnishing tool, mixing cups and all the other accessories needed for rod building and their shipping rates are much better than other places. Mine was free due to the amount purchased.

I got a Pac Bay and have not looked back. I did upgrade the chuck and I gotta say it is way better than the stock cam lock chuck

x 2 The upgraded aluminum chuck and stand is alot sturdier, RW3-XL model.