Starting out...

[LostNearBribie]

OK looking for a new "focus" thinking of rod building.
Where do I start, how much is it going to cost, what should I do first, etc.

All help appreciated.

[Stuart]

Are you looking at rod building as a full time, part time or just a hobbie? Once you can tell us that we can help you in the right direction.

Stu

[LostNearBribie]

It will certainly be a hobbie to start.
The idea has always interested me, but have never had the time.
I now have some time, so would love to start learning.

[Stuart]

That’s pretty much how most get into rod building. Of course it helps when some one can show you the basics and from there you can build your own style and techniques. If in time you decide you would like to make a living from the game consider this, pay days can be a month or more apart but the bills keep coming. The most sensible way to go about this is heaps of practice and learn on your own rods and not customers like some have done over the years. Customers should never be the testing platform for your new idea or product. Once you are happy and very confident with the rods and you have tested them and the quality is very good then by all means go for it. I have lost count of how many new guys that have claimed to be professional rod builders with only a few rods under their belts. I didn’t claim any thing until I could prove to myself I could cut the mustard along with seasoned rod builders, that was 20 years ago. Its by far harder to make a crust these days than years gone by, there is more competition with cheap imports but in having said that you have to educate your customers to the benefits of a custom rod. If you approach rod building as a hobby and then build a solid foundation you will last. People who just jump in to rod building with grand visions of becoming rich and famous are delusional. If you want some help or advice by all means send me a PM and we can arrange to meet up and I can show you the basics.

Stu

[sid_fishes]

its good that will teach others what you know.
i just wish more rod builders would take the time as most of us just want to build our own, not make a dollar out it
something most of the pro,s should have a think about
SID

[dogsbody]

Here's a few sites to check out that have some how to's and the like.

http://rodbuilding_tutorials.webs.com/threadwork.htm

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

You tube is another good place to visit for a look at some techniques.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=mudhole+rod+building&aq=f

Dave

[sid_fishes]

must be TIME for another R.B.W

[LostNearBribie]

R.B.W. sounds great!

Thanks Dogsbody.

Stuart, money is not the objective here.
I'm often delusional, but not when it comes to building rods.
I'll be happy if I can build something good enough to fish with!
I'd love to catch some fish with something I have made, that is very cool.
PM is on the way, thank you very much.

[Mrs Ronnie H]

Hi guys
I have been thinking the same lately-- would love to know how to go about making a rod. I would love to have a rod that suits me-- so hard to find something off the shelf i am really satisfied with. Any one willing to give me a few pointers and maybe a few lessons.

Ronnie

[sid_fishes]

like i said, must be time hey
ROZ
weave some magic.
only this time i would realy like to see a few other pro rod builders get into it as well. why?
because everyone has a different idea on how things should be done. we are not here to rip you off, but just build things to suit us. the weaves/wraps, spiral wraps,the whole thing.so pls just get involed.thanks
ian
ps. no offence stu as you have opened up to us, but like everything the more input, the more you learn
cheers
ian

[LostNearBribie]

Stu has been a great help already and I have not even met him yet.

[Stuart]

Ian

No offence taken mate, its hard at the best of time to try and show you guys every thing you want to learn. 12 or more guys and 1 rod builder to teach every one different things is a bit of a challenge but its one I love. I do like teaching other the art of rod building and I would like to teach you guys the craft of weaving but its very difficult to do that and then show other how to build, bind, glue up, shape grips, Coat and the list goes on. The next rod building weekend I will be showing people how to weave, I will fit it in somehow. As for finding another pro rod builder or even some one else that’s good at the craft to help would be hard, the reality is their isn’t many of us left while others claim much really do leave allot to be desired so you need to be careful as to who you get to help.

Stu

[alphas]

Have any dates been finalised???

[LostNearBribie]

Not as yet Alphas.
Keep checking back though.

[Bowser]

mate I am no professional rod builder and it is probably cheaper to buy a mid range import then to build one yourself, but the pleasure of catching a fish on a rod you made 20 years ago is beyond the value of any money. My first effort was a simple rod, overbound only, no fancy bits but quality guides and blank. It was made from a Butterworth GP4108 blank with a wooden butt and used as a bream rod. It was one of the best I ever owned but unfortunately it met it's end when it came loose on the highway and shattered. I still have a 12lb 6 foot spin stick that was origionally built 20+ years ago on another classic Butterworth blank the super barra and a 20lb snapper stick that has had plastic surgery to improve it's looks of a similar age.

Apart from the pleasure of building your own rod and catching fish with it the understanding that you gain about the workings of a rod through making your own is invaluable. Just have ago at it, the process itself is quite simple but be aware that the further you get into it the more that you will want to learn about trick bindings to decorate your rod. It can become a compulsive hobby.

[LostNearBribie]

Thanks mate.
To me it is all about the pleasure.
I have caught fish on jigs that I have made and that is awesome!
So the next step for me is a fish on a jig and a rod that I have made.
Just trying to get some bits together to start.
Stu and I have done a bit of contra, to get me started with a blank, but still need to get a lathe sorted.
Thanks for your reply.

[Bowser]

Mate, my first rod jig was just some cheap pine slats attached to a base of the same or slightly heavier wood with a v notch cut in the top. This was updated to a couple of wheels being attached either side of the notch. Crank power was by hand, still is. Does the job and especially for the new guy, allows you to keep the speed to something that you can handle. Would love the pro lathes but cannot justify the expence given that I only make rods for my personal and family use. It isn't pretty but it does the job and I get the satisfaction of having done it all myself.

The most improtant part of the rod build is finding the backbone and the placement of the guides. Spend plenty of time on this making sure that you get a smooth curve and the smallest, most even angles being generated by the guides on the line.

Good luck