Starting out...

[LostNearBribie]

Thanks mate.
To me it is all about the pleasure.
I have caught fish on jigs that I have made and that is awesome!
So the next step for me is a fish on a jig and a rod that I have made.
Just trying to get some bits together to start.
Stu and I have done a bit of contra, to get me started with a blank, but still need to get a lathe sorted.
Thanks for your reply.

[Bowser]

Mate, my first rod jig was just some cheap pine slats attached to a base of the same or slightly heavier wood with a v notch cut in the top. This was updated to a couple of wheels being attached either side of the notch. Crank power was by hand, still is. Does the job and especially for the new guy, allows you to keep the speed to something that you can handle. Would love the pro lathes but cannot justify the expence given that I only make rods for my personal and family use. It isn't pretty but it does the job and I get the satisfaction of having done it all myself.

The most improtant part of the rod build is finding the backbone and the placement of the guides. Spend plenty of time on this making sure that you get a smooth curve and the smallest, most even angles being generated by the guides on the line.

Good luck