Hi all of you expert craftsmen.  

I'm curious about the motivation for building your own rods?   I know for those of you who do it for a business, it's just that, business.  But for those individuals who are doing it, are you doing it to put a personal mark on your tool or are you doing it to make a much better rod for less money, or maybe both?

I noticed that the best st. croix blanks on one of the rod building sites were approximately $130.00 and with guides, cork, seats and guides, this would still be a less than a top of the line st. croix rod.  But then you have to know that these top of the line blanks are the same used in the legend.

Any idea on how many hours it takes?   From what I've read here, it seems tedious, but maybe something I can task my fiance to do over the winter... he drives me crazy when we're not out skiing and he's just hanging around...

For me it began as a way to have a rod with certain features that wasn't commercially available. From there it evolved into a love of the craft.

I "normally" actually don't save too much (by choice) by building my own... I end up spending almost what I would have paid for a Loomis or St.Croix but have much nicer components and a grip made to fit my hands, configuration to suit my needs and I can dress it up or down with decorative stuff if I want to.

I noticed that the best st. croix blanks on one of the rod building sites were approximately $130.00 and with guides, cork, seats and guides, this would still be a less than a top of the line st. croix rod. But then you have to know that these top of the line blanks are the same used in the legend.

The trade off is time... what is your time worth? I can't measure all of my rod building time in dollars and cents because there is a theraputic element involved for me. Time spent building is similar in reward and recreation to time spent on the water (especially if there is bad weather.) So when I do build "for profit" I can do it for a reasonable price.

There are elements of woodworking, engineering, physics, epoxies, finishes and other disciplines, if you choose to apply them. Or you could also just glue a kit together if you wanted to. I tend to plan them out and spend more time than needed because I enjoy the thinking and planning part as much as I do the hands on material work. I believe in the end that the rods I have built do fish differently than those I have purchased in the past. (I sold all my Loomis IMX and GLX factory rods)

Even on my "budget rods" I have nicer components and features than many of the high end rods.

One cool thing I have found is that I can take an inexpensive blank and with careful planning and fitting of the build... make a rod that fishes as good as a factory rod of 4-5 times the price.

Some of my builds have been as little as $50 total cost, plus my labor. Some of my builds approach $350 in blank & components alone.

From what I've read here, it seems tedious, but maybe something I can task my fiance to do over the winter... he drives me crazy when we're not out skiing and he's just hanging around...

;D Maybe you should marry him before assigning a honey-do like that!! ...lol

It can be as tedious as you want it to be... My build times vary a whole lot depending on the goal... some of the budget rods went together in under 10 hours. (over a 3-4 day period due to epoxy cure times) to as many as over 40 hands-on hours for rods with inlay work and other unique detail or decorative threadwork.

Some guys have weeks invested in threadwork alone... weaves of detailed pictures and other stuff that's WAY WAY out of my league.

Flechero, thanks for all of your input.  I may actually give it a try myself but Chris would probably get a kick out of it as well.

;D Maybe you should marry him before assigning a honey-do like that!!  ...lol

Ha, we've both been there before so neither of us is in any hurry to do that again.  

We live in Vermont, so there's lots of winter 'indoor' time that can be spent doing something productive.   We're both engineers (him Civil, me Electrical) so we're both into a lot of different hobbies.   What's one more!   :

We're both engineers (him Civil, me Electrical) so we're both into a lot of different hobbies. What's one more!

Sounds like you two might enjoy the planning and design side of this hobby as much as I do! What a cool deal, I hope he also fishes, this could be a neat hobby to share. It's probable that you each would excel at different parts of the build so you could have multiple rods in process and each have some equity in the rods you build. The only drawback to that scenario is that you may have to share the first few rods! ;D Once you build the first one, you WILL decide to replace all you factory rods... it's a sickness, and a natural progression. ...lol

If you two decide to give it a try, Please start with Tom Kirkman's book, it's a fantastic overview and he outlines different ways to do things. (as opposed to "do it this way") It is the most recommended book for new builders. It's a quick easy read, cheap and you will keep it as a reference.

Any questions along the way, just post them here and one of us will jump in and help out.

If you two decide to give it a try, Please start with Tom Kirkman's book, it's a fantastic overview and he outlines different ways to do things. (as opposed to "do it this way")  It is the most recommended book for new builders.  It's a quick easy read, cheap and you will keep it as a reference.

Any questions along the way, just post them here and one of us will jump in and help out.

Hey thanks again Flechero,

I'll look for Tom's book.  I wish they had some kind of store here to support the site.   I don't see it (the book) anywhere here.    If I embark on this, I think my first rod will go to my dad.    A nice medium  job for general fishing.    He'd be tickled pink!  

Theresamarie1,

For me I got into rod building as a side of my business (repair). The way I got most of my training back in the late 80's early 90's was as an out wrapper for Fenwick, back when the HMG rods were the rod to have. My very first rods as production rods were a case of HMG blanks provided by a local B.A.S.S. pro needing a new arsenal of rod's.  

flechero,

Has stated much of what goes into learning the art of building. I know he is hooked, and has made some great fishing tools. I might add that on my plain jane rods, I have 30 hrs. of design, layout, and wrapping, that goes into them. With another 16 or so hrs. just in my finish curing times. This can be a great winter time hobby, I know it helps keep the cabin fever away here in the south central part of Kansas. I find the best time of the year is winter for building. But then always get the itch to field test and can't wait for spring. 8-)

Get a copy of Kirkmans book and start from pg.1. There will be plenty of help here in the tackle making side of this forum.

One warning!!

If you thought the bait monkey was hard to shake, you ain't seen nothin yet....

Tight Wraps!!!

hey Theresamarie1,

i'm the "new guy on the block" when it comes to building rods, certainly not an expert.

ReelMech & Flechero have been very gracious to help me & answer my "newbie" questions.

i started rod building by "re-doing" some of the rods i already owned ...Heee ..funny part is that later, i RE-DID, the ones i had already RE-DONE! LOL ....as you get more comfortable with the wrapping, glueing, sanding, etc., you do a much better job, & it becomes more of a pleasure than a task.

anyway, i started out simple. then i would add a few things w/each build. ..like the guys said, if you think the baitmonkey is tough, just wait til the Rod-building Monkey gets to you! LOL

but, hey, it's a way to stay involved in fishing when you actually can't fish. and, as a by-product, you get to build yourself & friends some Very Nice fishing equipment... equipment that you just can't buy off the rack at a store. get started, you'll love it ..and, these guys around here will be glad to help you.

i know i'll be glad to help you in any way i can.

and, one other thing, in addition to getting t. kirkman's book, check out the rodbuilding.org site.  that's where you'll find rod builders from all over the world.  they give hints, tips, etc., & post pictures of their work.  it's a great wealth of information.

let us know if you have any questions

ronnie

One warning!!

If you thought the bait monkey was hard to shake, you ain't seen nothin yet....

Tight Wraps!!!

Reelmech, thanks much..   A whole case of blanks, how long did it take you to build those up (how many is a case?)?    Sounds like trial by fire.

I can't wait to take a crack at it... all I needed was a little nudging and this is all I needed.   30 hours, now that's more than I was estimating in my head but I don't think I have a good feeling for just how fine the work is.   This must be a real labor of love or you custom rod builders sell those beauties for a whole lot of money.   They certainly are pretty.

You don't have to tell me about that darn baitmonkey.  We received another box from basspro today...  :'(

I'm waiting for some st. croix (premium) rods I ordered from reeds a week ago and am really anxious to see how those feel on the water.   My fav rod, the one I broke recently, is an IM7 blank and by far my most sensitive (and enjoyable) rod.   While using a nice reel is a joy (there's just something about handling finely engineered tools), the rod was the biggest revelation.  You really can start to feel everything whereas my old ugly stiks are like big filters, that filter out all vibrations.    Doesn't mean they can't catch fish, just takes some of the interest out.

I'll go and order the book and be back asking some questions about where to start after I learn a little.

hey Theresamarie1,

i'm the "new guy on the block" ....

but, hey, it's a way to stay involved in fishing when you actually can't fish.   ... equipment that you just can't buy off the rack at a store.   get started, you'll love it  ..and, these guys around here will be glad to help you.  

i know i'll be glad to help you in any way i can.

and, one other thing, in addition to getting t. kirkman's book, check out the rodbuilding.org site.  that's where you'll find rod builders from all over the world.  they give hints, tips, etc., & post pictures of their work.  it's a great wealth of information.

let us know if you have any questions

ronnie

Ronnie,

Thanks for the encouragment and offer of help.     Also, for the pointer to rodbuilding.org.  Lots of neat stuff there as well.   I just ordered by copy of Tom's book from Amazon, should be here early next week.   I can't wait!

Theresamarie1,

A whole case of blanks, how long did it take you to build those up (how many is a case?)?    Sounds like trial by fire.

Think there was 3 dozen blanks in assorted lengths up to 6'6" in that case. I was building in between reel servicing for about 3 months. It was the most intense thing I have gone through in my career as a reel service tech/rod builder.

While using a nice reel is a joy (there's just something about handling finely engineered tools), the rod was the biggest revelation.  You really can start to feel everything whereas my old ugly stiks are like big filters, that filter out all vibrations.

The more you get into finely tuned rods the more you will learn that the rod is the most important part of a system. It cast the lure, it feels the bite, it hooks the fish. The reel actually only holds the line, pays it out, and retrieves the line.

Just wait you will see...

Tight Wraps All!!