Another Winter Project....

Already got bored waiting for parts on my AR Build Project, so I decided to work on a secondary winter hobby; and instead of pawning it off, I decided to dust off the cobb webs and pick up where I left off almost 8 year ago... (plus I wanted to give it one more chance before I put it up for sale).

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There was I time (when this house was full of kids) that I valued my "personal space" and my Man-cave (workshop) was just that. Had my own tv, 5.1 surround sound and even my own mini fridge; it also had most of the tools and equipment necessary to build/repair most anything I can get my hands on. I thought it would be a nice "quiet" hobby to take up rod building, so I purchased the necessary equipment and supplies to do so. But after spending weeks gathering the necessary stuff, it finally came down to building the rod; but everytime I started to work on it, something came up. For the next few years, this sat idle in the workshop; it was only when i converted the workshop to a complete darkroom, that I put the wrappng machine away.

But over the years, the house has gotten quieter and the man-cave has felt more like a bird cage; so, I decided to bring the Rod Wrapper into the living room  . Told the little wife, its either that or I keep annoying you when I'm bored....

{fast forward to the future...}
So, got it set up on my computer desk, with the rod I started ALONG TIME AGO..... now I can watch "how to videos" on youtube or take a mini-break to check up on hookups...... but ultimately, my goal is to finish this rod before the snow melts......

So here it is! I expect or hope that you experieced rod builders will keep me motivated and on track with achieving my goal; and provide me with helpful tips to make my first rod some what usable...

Glen,

Glad to hear you decided to give it a whurl again.  If you decide otherwise in the future, drop me a line!  Hope it comes out stellar!!!

Bill

I'm building my first AR as well. this weekend there is a gun show in town and Hope to buy my stock and upper parts. I want a 1 to 8 twist barrel If I can find a good one of those I'll be happy. I hope your rod building turns out.

sweet!  Hope it turns out for you.  Wish I could offer tips, but I have no idea.  Can't wait to see what you come up with. 

way cool Glen. My Bro-in-law has one and has wrapped a number of fantastic rods on it. My go-to kayak rod is a Calstar blank he wrapped 3 years back. Its what I pulled the HMB hali up with.

Custom rods are the bomb! Can't wait to see the finished product (s)!

...inspiration for the day (inside my fortune cookie):

"It's what you have not done that will torment you."

That's awesome Glen.  This has always been something I've wanted to try doing as well, build my own rod and slay some fish with it! 

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress, I'd love to see how the rod turns out.   

Nice power wrapper there.  Glad to hear its going to see some use!

Its a fun hobby.  Just finished my second build, and ordered the parts for my third the other day.  Jumping in deeper, and gonna try turning a custom cork handle this time.

Be sure and post progress pics!

Yeah, I was going to build a rod too but never finished.  I still have all the components to build now it is just the matter of finding the time. I can't wait to see how your first one will turnout.

Jedmo

No matter how bad you screw up, you're still going to love it more than any other rod. I've built a few and am working on a spiral jigging rod right now. I can't tell if I love the way it looks or if I'm too weird-ed out by it... LOL.

Only tip I have which I'm sure you're already using is rodbuilder.org. I think everything is there for anything you could ever want from custom weaves to exotic inlays. Spend a day or three checking out all the cool (and ugly) rods on there.

OK, another tip is to read up thoroughly on the epoxy step of your wraps. Having to redo all your thread-work due to a simple mistake with the color preserver or bubbles or whatever else at this step is very frustrating. Having someone with experience help at that part would be very beneficial.

I have wrapped 10-12 rods. 1 G-Loomis and the rest Cal Stars. It is a fun and rewarding hooby, but definitely takes time. Of course, I wrapped mine on a cardboard box with "V" cut in the ends. My thread tensioner was a stack of books. I learned everything from Steve, he used to own the Rod Rack in Hayward. Everybody post up your progress!!!!

Damn I wish the RodRack was still around.  Hate having to get parts online.

G-Whizzzzz,
Call me if you need help. When I started working for F.W. (Delta Bait back than) I was introduced to Mr Ken Weibe. Ken was a builder for a new rod manufacturer by the name of Gary Loomis, maybe you herd of him? Ken thought me how to wrap rods and I became the rod builder for Delta Bait and Tackle through the late 80's and early 90's. I have since retired from rod building, but still do a few repairs and occasionally build for friends and family.
If I knew you were interested, I would have offered sooner.
Call with any questions ;0)

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Damn I wish the RodRack was still around.

+1

I picked up all my supplies from Steve, including this unit; was bum'd when he closed...

I miss the Rod Rack too. I got behind on my rod builds this year but not 8 years behind.  Next year will probably be my last year of rod building. Built probably 50-60 rods over the last 20 years and pretty much have a rod for everything I fish for. I am finishing 3 rods for other people and will post those in the next week or 2. Next year I will be building a St Croix trout rod, Lamiglas heavy inshore rod, and Calstar 40# tuna rod and that should complete my arsenal. Let me know if you need any help.