Winter is here and I was thinking about trying to build a "nice" but "cheap" 6'6" M/H casting. Just a easy to follow list so I don't spend my $ on things I don't really need. Do the words nice and cheap go together?

????

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0063921311314a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=cork&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

Before I get "smoked" buy you guys, this is what i get when I click on the "Birth of  Custom Fishing Rod"  

http://www.rod-crafting.com/articles/a_custom-rod1.html

I'm by no means a guru, but the gest of it would include

A blank

A real Seat

Guides + tip top

Wrapping thread (likely size A)

Handle (pre form/Cork/burl rings/blocks)

Finish Epoxy/handle epoxy

Possibly Arbors (preform, cork rings, drywall tape, etc.)

tools

two books (thread tension)

coffee cup (to hold thread)

Two Homemade v blocks

Razor blade/Scapel/Xacto

Possibly reamers (make them out of an old rod and some sandpaper strips)

(optional)

Hook keeper

winding checks

etc..

This site got hacked/screwed up so searching the archives is a bit borked, but head there and read, read, read  

http://www.rodbuilding.org

I've been reading the heck out of stuff and have been planning alot, still waiting on my Tom K. rod book, hopefully this week it a be here, found it on amazon for 10 bucks new, I'm told its a highly recommended material to have.

I've been reading the heck out of stuff and have been planning alot, still waiting on my Tom K. rod book, hopefully this week it a be here, found it on amazon for 10 bucks new, I'm told its a highly recommended material to have.

IMHO, its probably the greatest start for any rod builder.  The books takes you through things step by step.

IMHO, its probably the greatest start for any rod builder.  The books takes you through things step by step.

Someone said it was in the local library so they didn't even have to buy it.

Here is the inex to the articles you were looking for:

http://www.rod-crafting.com/resource/article/custom-rod-shop.html

I'm so glad to have took the time and read thru the material thats available, between reelmech's site and Tom K's book and you guys here.

Its slowed my approach down tremendously, but not my desire, I realize I need basic tools to start off. I should follow up with caterering more tool options down the road to what favorite and style of rod I love to build.