Also What do you use to hold guides on, pics if u have them

Some pics from a long time ago.  Fly backing tied from the tip to a nail in my bench and adjusted with a slip knot to different degrees of flex.  More backing from the spool shaft through the guides and a 1/2oz weight tied on to hold some tension.

 

 

 

 

 

Guides are held in place with vinyl tubing sliced in to thin bands.

 

Wow, I wish my bench was still that clutter-free!

Always static test your rods!!

 

 

 

S Hovanec

Nice blank, an Eternity2 I presume? 

Batson any videos on it???

Always static test your rods!!

 

 

 

S Hovanec

Nice blank, an Eternity2 I presume?

This was years before the Eternity blanks existed. St. Croix 4c69MLXF

Lol nice S Hovanec!

 

Yes we do have videos: 

( Mike Thorson ex St Croix )

http://www.rodbuilding.org/library/staticguide.html

If you want to geek out: http://www.rodguild.com/howtos/LoadUp.pdf

 

This is why we have recipes on our rods. This allows for a really good general starting point. You may have to move them 1/2" or so max, but should prove to be a great foundation. 

Just realized we don't have a true static test video.. We will shoot one shortly for everyone. 

This is a complete description of the method Hovenac uses, if I am not mistaken.  Put this together with his photos and you have it.

 

I have to admit, I'm lazy, and I have built a lot of rods without the second line, and have broken none, they all cast fine, and perform well with fish on.  I don't disagree with his method.

forgot the link:       http://www.rodbuilding.org/library/staticguide.html

Truth be told, if its a blank I'm familiar with, I do not static test. I haven't tested a Croix 69mlxf since I took these pics!

I find it easier to static test than to look up numbers and make the measurements. But I know what you mean. Familiar blanks I can eyeball pretty closely and sometimes hardly move a guide at all.