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.