First rod build
Well I finally finished my first rod. It's an old stripped down one so the reel seat and grips are still the original. The guides and binding is what's new. I reckon this rod is worth a pretty penny as it's the perfect rod to take to rod building classes to show "What not to do" .
I had no directions or anything with this so started with just a picture or two and that was the first of about 17 stupid mistakes I also had a crack at Abalone . Boy that stuff is tough to work with.
I was pretty happy with the diamond except I squashed it, got that sorted now.
I also heard that double overbinding in A thread is a good way instead of D and since I didn't even have any D I had no choice. I won't be doing that again......ever. Mind you most of the work was when the kids went to bed and the light was not too good.
I didn't know you had to file the guide feet which was stupid mistake number 15. Imagine trying to get A thread over the top of an unfiled cheap guide in poor light? You can imagine the results.
All in all though I learnt a lot including a good epoxy job hides such poor work and the result actually came up not too bad in the end. The Abalone in particular ended up looking pretty good even though it was cracked to the #$%&.
I've since done another rod with my brother and the results are 100% on this one and I'm in the middle of a couple more including one I'm trying dragon scales on. Boy this is addictive
Thread was Prowrap and guides were some cheap things from Jaws that look quite good and have SIC rings to boot
dodgy
Posts: 4585
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Nothing like jumping in head
Nothing like jumping in head first hey? Looks like it came up pretty damn well.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
sunshine
Posts: 2627
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Nice finish
No bubbles in the clear coat - nice binding - I assume you invested in a motorised turner ?? My only comment having lost a few rods to burglars - I always now have my DL # and name under the clear coat near the grip
Bunny
Posts: 678
Date Joined: 05/08/10
I actually cheated a bit. I
I actually cheated a bit. I made the rod on some nailed together fence palings and some V notch supports so I had to get the local Custom rod builder do the epoxy coats. No way I was going to spin it by hand for 30 minutes or so!!
I've done a few now so will post some more builds soon. So far they are all re done old rods so the grips and reel seats are still the same.