I am thinking about attempting to build my first rod.  I have never attempted anthing like this before.  I think it would be cool to have acustom rod that i made myself.

Where are good places to buy parts?

What are some good blanks to use?

What tools do i need?

Where can i find some instructions with pictures, maybe a FAQ?

What kind of time frame am i looking at from beginning to end? ( can this be done in a weekend? Im guessing probably not but just checking)

I looked on the first couple of pages in the forum and didnt see a FAQ or anything.  I hope i didnt miss it.  Any help is appreciated and if i do undertake this, there will be numerous other posts to follow.

Thanks

Aaron,

I could give you the URL for the best rod building site on the net and you could ask the same questions there.

But you would get the same answer as here.....    

The first thing you need is an entry level education.    

So I recommend that you get the following books:

Rod-Building Guide, Author: Tom Kirkman

Step by Step Rod Building, Author: FlexCoat

and Read up........   ;D

Also check out My Rod Building Resources Page

Then start asking your questions....

Oh and know it can't be done in a weekend, a good custom rod can take upwards of 30 hours to complete.      

Thanks for the reply.  I knew you would be the one to jump on this.  I didnt expect it to be a weekend job but was just wondering.  I may have to weight till summer or at least spring break to give it a go.  That will just give me time to read up and pick out my parts though.

Working 50 hours a week and a going to school full time really cuts into fishing.  Hopefully i will be able to manage at least one day a week till summer rolls around.

Is this the website you were talking about?  http://www.rodbuilding.org  or is there another one?

Aaron,

Yup that's the site. As for the reading matter you might be able to find both of the books I recommended in your local library, that might save you some money........

Yeah I have been building for 15 years and the learning process never ends......

Check out is this article called "The Birth Of A Custom Rod" it will show you some of what goes into a custom rod.

thanks from me as well, I've been thinking about getting into it myself and have a bunch of rods that needs fixed I thought I might work on repairing those before I jump into the from scatch thing  

nirrad,

thanks from me as well, I've been thinking about getting into it myself and have a bunch of rods that needs fixed I thought I might work on repairing those before I jump into the from scatch thing

check out this thread here in tacklemaking << Hey Flechero New Rod Started >>

also if you run into any problems repairing your rods post your questions here, there are a few builders that frequent this forum and will be able to help if needed.

Tight Lines and Wraps!      

thanks I'll check it out