Hi Guys,
thought I would get in on this discussion.
Th biggest danger to a guide that I know of is the grinding wheel. Grinding the feet of the guide alters the metal and invites rust, an aluminium oxide wheel reduces this problem dramatically.
We are custom builders in Tas. The only ones I think. We hand file every guide foot and finish by smoothing off with wet and dry. The guide feet are prepared both on top and underneath to ensure a smooth finish.
That is one of the reasons custom rods cost more, it is about the time spent in the extra preparation and layout of each build, plus using top quality components to start with.
Also as Bearclaw said we all have our own way developed from what we have learned over the years, a custom builder is like everyone else and builds in a way that works best for him. That means we never stop learning and evolving, after 35 years at this game I learn something just about every time I get onto one of the forums.
Just do your best with your project, it will teach you something for your next job.
Paul