Rod building

[CCM_JR]

My Dad recently got a custom rod and loves it.  It's made me interested in learning how to make one for myself.  Can anyone recommend a book or a website to start learning? If anyone has any advice for a beginner please share.
 

Thanks,

Alex
AKA CCM JR

[TAE73]

I have not clue, but here are two sites that I am sure can help out.

http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/forum/22-rod-amp-reel-building-amp-repair/

http://www.bbcboards.net/zeroforum?id=109

[CasterCreekTackle]

Here you go:  www.mudhole.com

You can find almost everything you need on that website. They have youtube videos that are really helpful. They even give seminars around the country through out the year were they will give you hands on lessons on building a rod.

[CCM_JR]

Is it difficult enough that I need hands on lessons?
I don't want to save up my money for a couple months just to find the end result is a piece of junk...

[Jason]

I'll write a review after a few more outings, but the rod he is referring to was from Brian (forum name: feathercast).   I wanted something specifically for the Carrots.  I gave him what I wanted to do with it and he took it from there.  Best I can tell he nailed it spot on.  I honestly didn't know such a rod existed.  I'll get into the details in a different thread, but it is sweet (and he used Caney Creek Orange thread!!!).

Here is his web site:  http://www.feathercastrods.com/

Tight lines!

Jason

[CasterCreekTackle]

You can definately do it with out having hands on lessons. But like doing anything, it is a learning process and your bound to make mistakes. Just make sure that you learn from those mistakes. Check out some of their youtube videos and it pretty much shows you the whole process. www.youtube.com/user/MudHoleCustomTackle#p/a  

[CCM_JR]

Thanks, I'll check those out.

[romeo d]

CCM JR,
Go for it.. I do not know how old you are but I learned how to make my first rod at the age of 18.   I built a few, then after I broke my first rod from a Seal stealing my Salmon, I built up the replacement and that was it for me .   Back then there was a local rod building store in town that I frequented.  I bought all the cork, guides, threads, and loomis blanks.  You really cannot mess up much.   Get help in picking the right blank, guide spacing, reel seat position, and handle length.  Be sure you like the way the guide is wrapped before you coat over it.  Maybe Frank will chime in.  I believe he knows quite a bit about it.  I have not made a rod since my teens and I forgot a lot about it.
Romeo

[CCM_JR]

Thanks everyone for the advice and websites. I'll give it all a shot and post a pic. of my end result.

Thanks,

Alex
AKA CCM Jr

[Frank]

Here is an idea have your dad fly you out here to my house and I will teach you all you want to know. In a couple of days you will have a rod you built your self. If that is not possible give me a call anytime for all the info you will need. Next month Lamiglass is haveing a get together at there factory in Woodland WA, I will be there and you and your DAd are welcome to come. Frank

[Jason]

Thanks Frank.  I sent you a PM with our flight info.   

[Frank]

You guys are more than welcome. I have two spare rooms and plenty of rods to build. If you go to the Lamiglass get to gether I could get your son in the shop to build his own blank from scratch with the help of some of there workers. Helps to be a kid for this. I biuld alot of Lamiglass rods because when you meet these people they become familys trying to make a living out of what is pretty much an overseas business. Frank

[Jason]

You are awesome.  I hope to be able to take you up on your offer some day.

Thank you.

Send our best regards to the guys at Lamiglass.  I will make sure Alex gets one of their blanks for his rod.  We all need to do whatever we can to support American companies.  I'm doing everything I can to buy American products for our molds.  They sent me a shipment of aluminum not long ago that was not US made. I have had them flag our account for US only aluminum.  We may have to pay a little more but it truly matters to me.  I'm sure some of our bottles or something is not US made but we are trying...

[feathercast]

Alex, the book I got started on is "Rod Building Guide, by Tom Kirkman" I got started before there was much on you tube. When I started I bought some seconds to learn on, that saved me some money. I will look, I may still have a few around I can send for you to try out. You can build a small rod wrapper for next to nothing. I built my first one from plywood & wrapped 100 or so rods on it. Now I have moved up to electric. Just like pouring plastics, it's fun an addicting!  I buy wholesale from Batson Ent, so I can help you there if you need it. I'm not familiar with Lamiglass, but have always heard good things about them.
 Jason, if you don't want to fly out there, you are welcome to fly me to TX for a lesson!! Gotta be warmer than Indiana.

[CCM_JR]

Thanks I'll look for the book. I'm sure once I learn to build rods it'll be just as addicting as pouring baits.

Thanks,

Alex
 AKA CCM Jr