First attempt almost done!

[Adam_G]

Hi All,

I have had my first crack at building a rod on the weekend and can see why you guys say it is addictive.

I tried to keep it simple and used the same colour for under and over binding, after reading the posts about underbinding I thought I would give it a go because it would give me more practice at binding.

I still have to epoxy the bindings but I don't know what to use for a drying motor.

Attached are a few pics, comments good and bad are appreciated plus any advice on what you guys use for drying motors.

Big question now is what to make next!!

Adam

[finga]

Oh no!!!
Another addict :)
Yeah the bug gets you bad when it gets you doesn't it and good on you for giving it a go Adam.
Was it a full build or rebuild?

Where in the Bayside area are you as you might be able to borrow my drier.

Did you make your rollers yourself?
Cheers Scott

[Adam_G]

Scott,
It was a full build. Yes I made the rollers about 12 months ago but it has taken me untill now to make a rod.

What have you used as a drier? I am iching to get it finished. I am in Capalaba.

Adam

[finga]

I have a drier motor.

[Adam_G]

Thanks for the offer, I thought if I am going to do this more I should sort myself out. Stopped at bunnings on my way home for a BBQ rotisserie motor.

Adam

[dogsbody]

Good to see you giving it a crack Adam. It certainly leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling when you're done.

Dave

[Adam_G]

Just finished the epoxy on the bindings. Is there a better method to get the small bubbles out that a lighter? Or is it just operator error? Be honest!

Adam

[Owen]

Adam,
I usually stand the two parts in hot (tap) water before I mix them.
I find this makes them flow & mix better.
Once mixed, pour it out on some foil wrapped around a tile or something similar.
This will help get bubbles out before you apply it to the thread.
I have to admit that I skip this fairly regularly on guides.
Once applied to the thread, I use a lighter sparingly to get rid of any bubbles.
I tried a heat gun for a while but it can cause more bubbles than it solves. Especially on weaves etc where you have a lot of air in the threads.
I was finding tiny bubbles where I hadn't had a problem before.
cheers,
Owen

[dogsbody]

I use a hair drier on a low setting and wave it back and forth.

Dave.

[Adam_G]

Thanks for the advise, will post pics tomorrow when it is finished.

Adam

[Adam_G]

Well bindings have been epoxied, I'm happy with my first attempt but still have a long long way to go from what I see posted.

By the way I find it quite hard to take a decent pic of a rod.

Adam

[ant_72]

well done on the first rod! Just wait till you christen it. The hair drier and the lighter ideas work but also even just a hot breath to remove the bubbles that make it to the surface. Just keep checking regularly for the first couple of hours and even if you can't see any it does pay to keep that little bit of heat in it, not so much as a hair drier or lighter. I have found that works for me but still the lighter does get pulled out occassionally

[sandyd]

Adam great job for a first time and I can hear your brain ticking from here.
This rod building stuff is so addictive and when you hold the end result or better still catch that first fish, oh boy what a feeling.

Welcome to RBA. (Rod Building anonymous)

[metaloid]

Looks like you did a pretty good job at packing the thread.

Just a quick tip after looking at your first pic: If you grind the foot of the guides into a ramp, it makes overbinding easier.

[honda900]

G,

my rod is lookin good, BTW come up and grab my camera for a better pici.. there will be no profelatics on that puppie.. back to the smelly stuff for you..

Regards
Honda.

[finga]

Did you get your drier going?

A tripod is a necessity for taking pictures of rods. At least for me anyways. Old age has me shaking too much to hold the camera still.

Forgot to ask Adam.
What's the specs on the rod?

You'll be surprised just how quick you learn some of the nancy-fancy stuff when you start rod building.
It looks like you'll be a starter for next years rod building week-end for sure.

And don't forget. Any questions at all just put up a post.
Some of the countries best rod builders frequent here every-now-again. :)

[Adam_G]

ant_72, I was supprised at how many hours the epoxy takes to go off, I'll try to keep some light heat to it next time.

sandyd, RBA sounds good and your right, my poor brain is in overload trying to work out what to do next so many options!

metaloid, I did find it difficult to bind up onto the guide foot, I guess these little tricks come with experience.

Honda, (your) rod does look good but I will need your reel to use it, soon as I catch a fish on it it'll be straight back to plastics!

finga, yes I got a drier going, I'm going to try to make a better setup before I start a new rod, I've been diong a bit of reading and didn't realise there were things like thread tensioners I thought your fingers do the tensioning.

Rod builders weekend sounds great I need to learn from people who know what they are doing.

Rod specs- snyderglass 8-15kg blank overhead to be used offshore 6' long (don't know blank part no).

Adam

[finga]

It's not a magrahite jig stick blank is it?
I'm very fond of the SnyderGlas stuff.
The next rod for me to build is a C108XL which is a 9 foot 2-3 kg blank I want to fish the trawler jetty at Evans Head

You don't need the tensioners etc etc to do a nice job.
I made all that stuff up but don't use it.
I turn by hand with the fingers as the tensioner.

A basic lathe (like you've already got and a good drier and the jobs done.
The money is better spent on threads etc etc.

Have a look at some of the rods that Roz makes.
She used to turn them by hand to dry the resin until recently.

[Adam_G]

Scott,

I have no idea of which exact blank it is, I bought it because by coincidenec that was the type of rod I wanted and it was being sold as a second (cheap) as the tip had been broken. Looked like it had been broken just before it was built as the guide spacings were marked on it, it helped me with a starting point I only adjusted them to suit my reel seat position.

It does have a very nice action and feel to it though.

I do have one question, what brand epoxy/arildite do you use to glue your grips and reel seats and where do you source it?

Adam

[finga]

I've been using proper rod building stuff from the US but I'll have to find another source closer to home.
So....?

[Owen]

Adam,
For the occasional rod, 24 hour Araldite is your best bet.
Once you start doing a few and you need greater quantities then try R045 and H045 epoxy
http://www.fgi.com.au/files/images/stories/pdfs/products/resins/Epoxies.pdf

There is an FGI trade center at Wacol and Labrador

[Mark Fisher]

For you first rod you have done a very creditable job. Remember practise with each rod you build and you have to improve.
For my epoxy drier, I rigged up a microwave motor to a switch. A few little assorted fittings and it turns at the perfect rate for drying. The motor is about $5 and can be replaced at anytime. Mine's been going now for about 8 years with no problems at all. For flaming your epoxy, you can get a small metho burner or a similar style burner from Peter Williams at GCCR Tackle on the Gold Coast.


Regards
Mark

[Fishbait]

You've done a fantastic job. If you are going to make more - are you going to sell these are start your own tackle collection like we all have. I'd be keen to see some rods made by ausfishers in the for sale section to support those with an interest in rod building. I know I would buy one or two more anyway to support fellow ausfishers. Good on you again for your first rod - who knows - you might be the next big name in rod building on the block. Cheers mate, Darren.

[Adam_G]

Thanks Darren, I plan to make more and am on the second one now but I will put a post about that, I think it may give a few people a laugh.:(

I'm quite a way off selling quality yet but I have a few mates that have put in orders. My Brother works in the graphic design/printing industry so for a laugh he did me up a couple of logos, I've just got to get it on the rods I give to my mates!;D

Adam

[txlady]

Well done there mate !!...:D .......You will see with each rod you build, you will progressively improve !!!..

When I built my first rod about six years ago, I thought it was really great !!....Then I realized my trim wraps were a mile wide and the epoxy had lumps and bumps in it...;D ......I then took it apart and rebuilt it from scratch...so now I can stand to look at it, without having a anxiety attack !!;D



MaryLou...

[finga]

I really like the first logo Adam :)

[Bob H]

next time try a different colour on the underbinding, will make it look a lot better, you dont see many rods with same over as under, just my thoughts.bob