So i want to start to building my own rods and read quite a bit of info on the subject.  The one thing that I am still uncertain about is the rod blank. There are so many options I just wouldnt know where to start.  My fishing is mostly bass with a little pan fishing I would like to hear your guys thoughts on blanks. thanks

There are a ton of blanks and little to no reviews or feedback on the internet about most of them. Try to find a price point and work from there. A few with a good reputation I know of are st Croix, North Fork (headed by Gary Loomis), MHX, and Batson. One of them should be able to meet just about any price point.

For your first build I would suggest working with a cheap blank. You will run into unforseen problems. . Good luck, it's very fun and rewarding.

I would start with a MHX kit for your first one.  Everything is already matched up for you so you can concentrate on the actual build.  There are several places to buy online but I like Mudhole for most of my stuff.

Figure out what your budget is and what you want to do with the rod.  Do you want a casting or spinning rod?   How heavy are the baits you plan to throw?   Peruse Mudhole and get an idea of how much grips, guides, thread, reel seats, equipment, finish and epoxy...etc cost.  Do you have a wrapper and dryer?   Go to rodbuilding.org and read every thing you can that pertains to the basics.  When you figure out exactly what you want your rod to do and how much you want to spend, it will be much easier decide what blank to get.  Rainshadow and MHX both make relatively inexpensive blanks that are quality.     Using a kit for you first build might not be a bad idea just so you can learn how to do it.  I'm not a fan of kits for anything other than that though.  Picking out your own components is half the fun and what makes the rod truly custom.

Choosing blanks for applications comes only with experience. To get started post on some rod building websites for opinions and suggestions on blanks for a specific build.

Thanks for the feedback everyone....I dont have anything so I will need to purchase everything.. I figured I could get by without most stuff but a dryer, so that will be my first purchase. 

The only thing you really need is the dryer.  You can get by with stuff you most likely have around your house for everything else.  There are a bunch of youtube videos and on mudhole to show you how.  I got started for under $200 with tools and supplies for my first build.  I build several a year and have taught my daughter and nephew to build.  It is a very cool feeling to catch the first fish on a rod you built.

yeah I am excited

Actually, until you try it and see if you like it I wouldn't invest in a lot of tooling. Turning a rod by hand is admittedly a pia, but it's an excellent way to see and learn how epoxy behaves. This will only benefit you going forward. 

Actually, until you try it and see if you like it I wouldn't invest in a lot of tooling. Turning a rod by hand is admittedly a pia, but it's an excellent way to see and learn how epoxy behaves. This will only benefit you going forward. 

X2...

How many minutes in between each turn?

When applying finish? 1 to 2. This should help.

http://www.rodbuilding.org/library/betterepoxy.pdf

Thanks for the Link that was very helpful

How many minutes in between each turn?

You have to watch it and babysit it. That's the point in learning how epoxy behaves. You'll turn it every few seconds at first, then every few minutes, then every 15 ......

You can make a dryer from an old barbeque rotissiere motor.  Epoxy a bolt into the square hole that the skewer goes into. Use a couple of nuts to attach a butt cap with a hole drilled in it to the bolt. Build up the butt of the rod your workiong on to fit the attached butt cap. Voila, a cheap dryer!

$40 and you are all set

 

http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/Dryers

thanks for the idea