Taking up building...what to expect??

[CTobias]

I am jumping balls deep into building a rod or two, or three before I return home for Christmas. Any tips, info is much appreciated. Taking my buddies rod building equipment off his hands since he's not into it anymore.

Any advice on where to pick up components, blanks, etc at a reasonable price. I've done some searching around and have already found some sites that were within 20-30$ difference in blank prices. Building a 4wt to start and then probably a few float rods for a couple guide buddies who are cheaper than me and don't want to have their clients blowing up 250$ rods. Haha.

 

[Pete]

For the cheapo guides ... may I assume you already know about Netcraft?
If not: Rod Building Supplies | Lure Making Supplies | Fly Tying Supplies | Fishing Hooks

For yourself & friends Mud Hole Custom Tackle | The World's Largest Rod Building Supplier

Above is strictly retail, if you're going into business, you'll want to find other sources.

 

[trico mike]

Rain shadow makes really good blanks that are reasonably priced. They also sell all components and they have also have a thing on their web site that tells you how to space the guides for the diffrent sized rods. I'm going to build a spey this winter from them. Many of my buddies use their rods for striper fishing and they have zero complaints.

 

[WBDluver]

anglers workshop is another source for rod building.

 

[Ausable10]

...yet another source is Hook & Hackle..do a search for them.

 

[JeffK]

So far all good choices I have worked with. Mudhole probably has the biggest selection; Anglers Workshop is in Washington State and probably has more steelie/salmon stuff. Anglers Workshop is right next door to Lamiglas and is a good source for their blanks. Hook and Hackle is a PA firm and is good for the type of fly tackle we all use. H&H also runs good specials. Rainshadow blanks are decent and have a range from cheap to expensive - most retailers carry them. One more rod building place is Schneiders in Arkansas. They are economical and good to deal with, but the web site isn't state-of-art.

A final little used source for blanks is Dorber - maker of the extreme 10' 1 wt blanks which make fine ultra-light float rods for the crazy end of float fishing. They have some interesting blanks.

 

[CTobias]

I've got the XST blank built by my buddy Frank. IT'S SWEET! Great power and awesome action on it. Light too! Especially with nice guides.

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm sure once I get started on the first rod I'll have a million questions. Been watching a lot of video on youtube to get an idea of what I'm getting into. After these rods, I am going to build a spey rod so I can start practicing here with my casting so I don't like a fool when I get to Washington State. Haha...plenty of big water down here to practice on. Thanks again!!!