Worm making / Rod building

[Bass Warrior]

So I have ordered my material to start making my own soft plastics and am excited about getting started. I can definitely see where this can save you money as well as enjoy doing it.

However, my buddy Bubba Bruiser, has silently influenced me to start searching material on Rod building. This also looks very appealing and possibly addictive. With that said, I would appreciate any tips/suggestions on what I should invest in to get started as well as research materials on making them.

[pig n jig]

A good ventilation system for your soft plastic making would be advantageous. Good luck with your new projects.I am too lazy to go those routes.It must be lazy,I ain't too old yet.

[Jrob78]

For rod building you will need a wrapper, a dryer motor and something to keep tension on your thread. You can buy the wrapper but I don't think you can get anything close in quality and functionality as one you build yourself. I bought my dryer motor on ebay for like $13, it came with a chuck to hold the butt of the rod. I just had to build a stand to mount it to.

Once you get the wrapper and dryer set up you will need to get some supplies. To complete a rod you need a blank, guides, a reel seat, grips, winding checks, thread, a rod epoxy for gluing the seat and grips and a rod finish to put on your wraps. There are several online vendors who sell all this stuff. Mudhole is probably the best place to start, they have everything you will need.

My wrapper is 4' long with an extra stand alone support. The supports have "V" notches in them to hold the rod. Ideally they will be able to move up and down the wrapper. My thread carriage is on a seperate "track" so I can move it up and down the wrapper and it doesn't interfere with the supports. I use springs to keep tension on my thread, you can't wrap with loose thread. I will post a couple of pics of my set up.

Some good websites to visit:

http://rodbuilding.org/list.php?2

http://www.rodbuildingtutorials.com/

http://www.fishingphotos.net/photopost/

http://www.mudhole.com/

http://www.swamplandtackle.com/default.asp

Start at the first 2 links and read all you can. Ask questions, there are several of us here who can help you get started. It is very addicting but a lot of fun. There is nothing quite like catching a fish on a rod you built.

[bamabassman]

After you get everything set up........your FIRST rod should go directly to ME. not gary, not for yourself.............ME! HAHAHAHAHHA!!! I have no idea how to get started or what You need pal. But i am sure you will find enough folks here to help you out.
We are getting quite a few bait and tackle folks here. I love it gang. Now wher is that winning lottery ticket................

[keithdog]

Originally Posted by bamabassman

After you get everything set up........your FIRST rod should go directly to ME. not gary, not for yourself.............ME! HAHAHAHAHHA!!! I have no idea how to get started or what You need pal. But i am sure you will find enough folks here to help you out.
We are getting quite a few bait and tackle folks here. I love it gang. Now wher is that winning lottery ticket................

Ya know what pal. All kiddin aside, wouldn't it be cool if you had a custom made rod, red in color with black and white wrapping, black grips, and a small emblem of the Tides mascot on the rod!

[Bass Warrior]

@JRob...Wow! Thanks for all that information!! Were did you buy that wrapper? I got plenty of information to look through now and am sure I will still have questions and I GREATLY appreciate what you have provided!

@bamabassman...You might not want that deal because it WILL be the first one that I screw up on as well as it will probably be Purple & Gold designed...hahaha

[Bubba_Bruiser]

BW, JRob built his own wrapper. I forgot about you being quite the craftsman with the wood. You ought to get your router and saw out and build your own. I know you are bound to have some scrap laying around. You can build 2 if you like and I will be a bystanding unrelated equipment tester for you.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by Bass Warrior

@JRob...Wow! Thanks for all that information!! Were did you buy that wrapper? I got plenty of information to look through now and am sure I will still have questions and I GREATLY appreciate what you have provided!

No problem man, I made that wrapper. I guess I should have said that. Most of the wrappers I've seen are either really small or pretty expensive. Mine was pretty easy to make but I also work at a place that has a small woodshop. I just looked at pictures online and got a basic idea of what I wanted.

On the left of the page on rodbuilding.org there is a list of vendors, you can find anything you could possibly need in that list. There is a place that sells nothing but rod wrappers and dryers and stuff, I don't know anything about them though.

http://www.okierodbuildingtools.com/

I think Mudhole might have instructional videos on their website, youtube does too.

[CiK]

We all went through the exercise of identifying my essentials to get started. The outcome is subjective, because many can build and create their own version of the tools needed. Not me! :-(

I watched video after video and read thread after thread to come up with my list last year. Its missing some items (power wrapper, lathe, etc) because I don't need those right now, maybe someday though. I also opted against buying "kits" and bought individually based on my needs.

Rod Building Needs: Hand rod wrapper, finishing motor, spine finder, china marker, masking tape, exacto knife, alcohol burner, line clippers, razor blades, sandpaper, hot plates / candle heaters, calipers, rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, rod epoxy adhesive, tip glue, finish coating epoxy, color preserver, brush cleaner, syringes, finishing brushes, mixing cups, popsicle sticks, steel mixing spatula, enamel paint, and burnishing tool.

That should you get you started until you get addicted and want more.

Tony

[Bubba_Bruiser]

What do you use for brush cleaner? I just dip it in the alcohol a few times and clean on a rag. And I know this is a can of worms in the rod building world, but I have adapted to finding the spine as being unnecessary and moved to just wrapping on the straightest axis. Can I get a back up from any other builders? A guy told me if I was building heavy salt rods, yes go with the spine. But it is really unnecessary since you are always in one spot or another and never on the same plane at a given time the way the fish and we move (I was told this verbally and read on another forum - not my original thinking).

Also pick up some syringe stoppers from the pharmacy isle at WalMart, it can save you a ton of mess when mixing the epoxy.

[CiK]

Originally Posted by Bubba_Bruiser

And I know this is a can of worms in the rod building world, but I have adapted to finding the spine as being unnecessary and moved to just wrapping on the straightest axis.

You are right! I do the same thing. I made that list a year ago before I learned of the straight axis method. If I had to buy all my gear again, I would probably leave it off, but I am OCD and like to check for it now that I have it.

[Jrob78]

I never even worry about the spine unless the blank is perfectly straight. I also agree about not buying a kit, picking out components is half the fun and what makes it a custom rod. You can get away without using some of the stuff on that list at first. Everyone has their own way of doing things, some require different tools.

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Like my Revlon cuticle pusher for packing and separating thread? And of course, pushing back cuticles while I am waiting. hahahaha

[CiK]

Originally Posted by Bubba_Bruiser

Like my Revlon cuticle pusher for packing and separating thread? And of course, pushing back cuticles while I am waiting. hahahaha

Dude!! Really?!? hahahaha

[Bubba_Bruiser]

The collection isn't complete without one. I keeps it pushin', always looking for the EZ button.

Serves as a burnish and single thread mover. Saved me time on tigers when I just need to adjust a couple of threads.

[Bass Warrior]

Dang....looks like a buggy full of equipment. I might have to re-think this or get a better paying job...haha

[Jrob78]

Haha, I use a knitting needle. I have used wooden cuticle pushers though.

These are the things that you will really need at first, some of the stuff is optional.

Rod Building Needs: Hand rod wrapper, finishing motor, spine finder, china marker, masking tape, exacto knife, alcohol burner, line clippers, razor blades, sandpaper, hot plates / candle heaters, calipers, rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, rod epoxy adhesive, tip glue, finish coating epoxy, color preserver, brush cleaner, syringes, finishing brushes, mixing cups, popsicle sticks, steel mixing spatula, enamel paint, and burnishing tool.

[Bass Warrior]

That looks better....now if I could just hurry up and get home so I can start building....

[CiK]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

These are the things that you will really need at first, some of the stuff is optional.

Not to be a pain, but your needs are subjective, as mine are, as are the OP's. Each person must take into account their own needs and assess what they really need and what is optional. I was simply providing a starting point and where I started.

For example, some may think they don't need an alcohol torch, but I was glad I had one when my bubbles in the finish wouldn't lay down on their own without assistance. As I get better at mixing my finishes the chances I need the torch become less and less likely. I just wasn't confident enough going without when I began building.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

I never even worry about the spine unless the blank is perfectly straight. I also agree about not buying a kit, picking out components is half the fun and what makes it a custom rod. You can get away without using some of the stuff on that list at first. Everyone has their own way of doing things, some require different tools.

I agree with you, which is why I said this earlier. I was only pointing out the things that are absolutely must haves to get started. I don't use some of the things on your list and you probably don't use some of the things on my list. I just didn't want him to get completely overwhelmed. No disrespect meant and I definitely wasn't trying to discount the things that you find essential to rod building.

[WaffleJaw]

The only advice I can add...If you start rod building,and your married...Your screwed!
Im just kidding (is he?) have fun with it and good luck!..Plenty of good advice here to get you started

[Bass Warrior]

Yep, I am very married but she works and I have 28 days off at a time...so hopefully I can fit it in.

Guys the thing that I have on my side that most dont is "my wife is an avid fisherman as well" so she might actualy enjoy this too! I just have to be able to explain any expense in a "legitimate" manor because she is a cheap-o! lol

[Jrob78]

She might enjoy it too, there is definitely a style aspect to it. You get to pick all the colors and match up with reels and things like that.

[CiK]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

She might enjoy it too, there is definitely a style aspect to it.

Agree! My wife is expecting her own custom rod. It just keeps getting pushed back for my next custom rod.

[DVT Mike]

FWIW,

Start out slow and keep it simple. A notched box for a wrapper, phone book for tension and hand turn for drying. Not only does this save an investment in something you may not want to stick with, it gives you additional insight into how epoxy behaves and what you want in equipment going forward.

I also build on the straightest axis 90% of the time, but I do identify and mark the spine out of habit. If I can make the two work together, so much the better.