Building Your Own Rods?

[J.W.]

FD, if you're reading this, you've got me thinking about building a few to fish with, but I'm not 100% sure what I'd be getting myself into.

I've been watching your YouTube videos and a few others. I'd love to be able to build some quality rods for myself and my wife and son, and maybe give some to family and friends as Christmas gifts or whatnot.

I guess what I'm wanting to know is, how steep is the learning curve, which components to stay away from, and what equipment I would need right off the bat.

My side-job is bladesmithing custom knives, so I'm used to designing things with a function in mind and building it. Lots of hand-fitting parts, dealing with fit & finish work, etc. I know rod building is a completely different skill set with its own learning curve, but hopefully some of that might translate over.

If any of y'all are building your own, I'd love to hear your experiences with it.

[Princeton_Man]

I started to get into building a couple years back or I should say I started getting the necessary supplies and tools. I was watching how-to videos GetBit Outdoors put out and practiced using some old lower end rods I had laying around.

The first rod I built was for my wife and it actually turned out very good. Since then, I've only replaced a guide on one rod. I do plan to get a little more into it, maybe once I retire. I don't have a dedicated workspace for it right now. As I was working on my wife's build I laid a cover over the dining room table and set up there. It was a little inconvenient while the epoxy was drying and a bit frustrating to have to take everything down then set back up each time.

I'd like to build each of my sons a rod as well as my grandchildren. Maybe a couple for me, but I don't think I'll replace very many of my Dobyns rods with them.

[J.W.]

I don't have a dedicated workspace for it right now. As I was working on my wife's build I laid a cover over the dining room table and set up there. It was a little inconvenient while the epoxy was drying and a bit frustrating to have to take everything down then set back up each time.

That would be a bit of a pain. I think I have enough room that I can use my reloading table as a workbench. I think my shop would be too dusty.

[FD]

JW,

It's a thing....

If you're used to building custom knives, you already have the most important skill, which is  patience.

Technique is the easy part.  It, like everything else in this world, comes with practice. Nathan, who started a year ago, is building better performing rods than most of the crap you see at BPS.

Shoot me a PM with your phone number and we can talk about it if you would like.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

[big g]

After watching a bunch of FD's vids, the cost of buying all the hardware needed to do the job right would be expensive for the average guy!  Skill and set up would not be cost effective for just one or two rods.

[Princeton_Man]

After watching a bunch of FD's vids, the cost of buying all the hardware needed to do the job right would be expensive for the average guy!  Skill and set up would not be cost effective for just one or two rods.

It doesn't cost a lot to get started. I can build rods right without fancy power and a specialized shop. I couldn't mass produce them, but I could build enough to keep my rod locker supplied. A rod dryer can be bought for $50, I think that's the most necessary piece.   

[J.W.]

After watching a bunch of FD's vids, the cost of buying all the hardware needed to do the job right would be expensive for the average guy!  Skill and set up would not be cost effective for just one or two rods.

It doesn't cost a lot to get started. I can build rods right without fancy power and a specialized shop. I couldn't mass produce them, but I could build enough to keep my rod locker supplied. A rod dryer can be bought for $50, I think that's the most necessary piece.

That's what I was hoping is the case. I'm not trying to make a business out of it, just turn out some good rods for myself, friends, and family.

JW,

It's a thing....

If you're used to building custom knives, you already have the most important skill, which is  patience.

Technique is the easy part.  It, like everything else in this world, comes with practice. Nathan, who started a year ago, is building better performing rods than most of the crap you see at BPS.

Shoot me a PM with your phone number and we can talk about it if you would like.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

Thanks, FD! PM sent.