I want to make a rod and need some help.

1. Are the kits from Cabelas a good way to start?

2. Who makes good blanks to use?

3. How much time should it take to make a rod.

4. Is it something I can realistically do and make look good?

Yep, its definitely something you can realistically do and make look good.  Being a beginner myself, I would highly recommend investing in a class or two if there are any available near you.  I tried my first rod solo but really began to understand some important concepts after taking a couple classes.  I'm finding that the options available for making rods are almost limitless.  Anyway, just thought I would give you that bit of encouragement as another newb but be careful - its very addicting

I've only built two rods, but my dad has been building them for years.

1. I'd stay away from kits from Cabela's.  If you want a kit, get it from Jann's NetCraft.

2.  My favorite blank, that is affordable, is Rain Shadow.  T hey make a great blank, and most are under $70.  You can also get then at netcraft. If money isn't an issue, G.Loomis all the way.

3.  You can build a rod in a week or 2 months, depending on how fancy you get.  With my first two rods, I've kept it simple.  My dad is building himself a spinning rod right now and he's planning on doing a double chevron [sp?] butt wrap.  That may take a lot longer, but I'd advise to stay simple for your first rod.

4. Yes, you can make it look good, but it does take practice and patience (that's why I've only built two...)  Don't be afraid to cut off a wrap that doesn't look good and redo it.

One thing I can't stress anough is have all the right equipment!!  if you don't you'll make it harder than it needs to be, and it won't look as good.

And some tips to keep the cost down and build a better rod:

- If you're planning on using braided line on this rod and are worried about the guides, you don't have to go with all SIC guides.  Go with Alconite guides, and use an SIC tip.  That is the one that takes most of the pressure, and is at risk from braid the most.

-Use Fuji guides.  You can save a bit on money going with pac bay or whatever, but I really like fuji's guides and their concept guide system, which is what you see on most rods on the shelf now days.  It keeps the line closer to the blank for better performance.

- Take your time in learning what to do before you jump right in, it'll make it a lot easier.

I'll get some pics of my flippin' stick that my dad built for me.  If you have any other questions feel free to PM or email me, and I'll see what I can do to help.  But check out Janns net craft.  Great site, great products, and great staff.

-CFL

One more thing. It may be pretty expensive to start, getting a wrapping station and all the tools needed, but it's definately worth it.

-CFL

You can definitely build a quality rod the first time you do it. My first rod took me two days to build so I would plan on leaving a weekend free. Now I can build one in a couple hours but you really need to leave yourself a lot of time at first so you don't rush things. Like live 2 fish said stay away from cabelas kits if you can. If you have the cash, you can go for one of the G Loomis rods kits available from mudhole. They have kits from $90-190 so you should be able to find something in your price range. If you have questions PM me but flechero is really an expert and I'm sure he would be willing to give you some excellent advice if you talk to him.

heres the link to those G Loomis kits:

http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Complete-Rod-Kits/G-Loomis-Spinning-Kits

coolhandlala I Totally, Totally recommend reading first Tom Kirkman's book Rod-Building Guide, you can get it at Amazon right now for $10.17

When your done reading it you will build a great first rod.

jannsnetcraft, mudhole and swamplandrods(personally call and ask for lance, great guy) are killer for rods that are affordable.

My son is 11 and he's so far building a great rod for his mom, and he read the book too

another good info site is rodbuilders.org as-Tom Kirkman is on there and he responds to topics. I for one benefitted from here on most of my questions, it was a quick turn around time, right now seems slow.

Good luck with it

Tony

bass wrangler569,

My first rod took me two days to build so I would plan on leaving a weekend free. Now I can build one in a couple hours but you really need to leave yourself a lot of time at first so you don't rush things.

Wow 2 hours, well that in MO is the defanition of rushing it. I have been building now for close to 2 decades and a decent easy rod under time pressures still gets a rod done in no less than 30 hands on hrs....Your quick!

coolhandlala,

Start Reading Here...

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1152205660

Good Luck & Tight Wraps!  

i have built two on my own now and two others with the help from a couple members here on BR.  the hardest part for me is the finish over the wraps, i just cant seem to get it just right, although it is perfectly functionable (Sp?), it just dosent look as "pretty" as it could.  but i am ok with it, they perform great and i would trade them for anything!!  i cant offer any info on blanks because the two different ones i have used are no longer available for purchase, i have three allstars and one shikari.

good luck

by the way, a rod wrapping station can easily be built for next to nothing as well as a lathe for turning grips.  PM me if your interested in how i built mine.

thanks

Cliff

bass wrangler569,

My first rod took me two days to build so I would plan on leaving a weekend free. Now I can build one in a couple hours but you really need to leave yourself a lot of time at first so you don't rush things.

Wow 2 hours, well that in MO is the defanition of rushing it. I have been building now for close to 2 decades and a decent easy rod under time pressures still gets a rod done in no less than 30 hands on hrs....Your quick!

coolhandlala,

Start Reading Here...

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1152205660

Good Luck & Tight Wraps!

I don't mean a couple as in 2 hours, I'm talking closer to 4-5, and I don't rush. I usually don't build my own handles from scratch, although I have in the past, (I've been using mudhole split grip components lately) so that takes a lot of time out of the process. I don't do any decorative butt wraps. I don't do any trim or anything fancy on my guide wraps, they're just solid black. I prefer to keep things simple as possible and less frills keeps the weight down, which is my biggest goal. The rods I build don't have any fancy decorative inlays or any extras that I can avoid. They're simple, well-built, and functional and they don't take very long to finish.

I'm with reel mech. I will have at least 3 hours alone in just test casting. Take your time and make sure you have every thing correct, not just your wraps and finish, but the complete build. I can assemble a rod in in 5 hours, but not build and perfect the design to that particular blank, line size, guide size, and reel.

I also will go against the grain and tell you to avoid a kit. Do a lot of research and reading before buying anything. Buy the blank and components to your specs, not a cookie cutter kit. Pick your handle to fit your hand not the one some company thinks will complete a kit. Guide size to fit the line size and application. Place your guides at the correct place on the blank by preforming a stress test, and test casting. You will be amazed at the difference a 1/2 inch will make when you move the butt guide the wrong way on a spinning build.

As far as expense goes, you do not need a lot of high dollar gadgets to get started. I built my first rod on a SC3 Blank and had less than $190 invested including shipping, epoxies, Fuji guides, Fuji reel seat, and two dream reamers. Used my lap and a fly bobbin for a wrapping station.

You can cut 2 v grooves in a card board box for a rod holder. Use a cup to hold your thread and pass the thread through a book for tension. Is it pretty? No, but it is functional. If you like building, then buy a little here and there until you have the things you feel that you need. If you build a hand wrapper now before you build, then build a hand wrapper after building a dozen or so rods, then they will probably be very different. If you feel that you have to have a wrapping station, then look at some of the ones that other builders have built to get an idea of where to begin. I will however admit building some of the tools has been almost as fun as building the rods.

The most important thing to me when I finish a rod, is that it is mine. From design to function, I made the blank into the best rod I could build without following someone else's specifications or guide spacing chart.

Eric