rod kits

["L"plates]

g'day all
i'm looking at buying a rod kit from mudhole was wondering what is there service like and what are there kits like ,is the st croix or gloomis kits better ie to learn with or just better quality?
regards mick

[sandyd]

Mick

I think it all depends on what you are after in a rod to what you get.
If this is your first attempt at building a rod mayby and this is if you can afford it, get one of the GL or St Croix and also get a second one on the cheaper end so that you can start on that one to get a feel of how things are done, so when you come to the top end one you will be more comfortable in what you are doing.
You will also find that the cost of freight for one blank is going to be nearly the same as for 10 blanks so if you can aford to buy a few at a time it is more econimical to buy more blanks.

The service is normal good but you also have to be aware that when you place an order they put a hold on the total cost on your visa/debt card and when they send the goods they take the money. This can mean that at some stage you may have two lots of funds taken but after 10 days the first is canceled. This can hurt if you place a big order and it is a debt credit card.
Not sure I explained this well.

We also have Rodworks in Australia who have kits as well and ross I am sure can help you out. Web page is
http://www.therodworks.com.au/

Hope this helps

["L"plates]

thanks heaps sandy ,
i've been pulling old rod'a apart rebuilding em painting em etc and now want to spend some cash but not sure how to match everything up so thought a kit would be a good start ,thanks for the info about shipping i'm planning on getting maybe 2 kits a low end one and a higher end one ,thankls again for the reply i'll give rod works a call
regards mick

[sandyd]

Mick

If you know what type of rod you are aiming to building then Ross will be able to help you put one together that will be just what you want or you could still buy a kit. He has helped me out a few times and does not mind giving his time to explain things. A wealth of information.

["L"plates]

havent called rodworks today as i just got the Doc Ski weaving dvd thismorning and WOOOOOOOOOOOOT half an hour after watching it i'd got an old fat knitting needle of my wifes and turned it into a piece of art ....well not really but i did do a diamond an arrow> a triangle and 2 little triangles standing on top of each other used red and black thread ...i'm kinda feeling nervous now and keep looking round the room a broom handles etc and thinking that my thread box is far from adequate and rember the words of a wiseman about this thing being addictive
regards mick

[sleepygreg]

I love your enthusiasm Mick. Take it from a rod builder from way back. You need to think about why you are building the rod. Do you want it for show, or performance. You can achieve both in the same rod, but may want to think about how much TIME you want to put into each rod you build. As suggested, start off with the low end of the scale to build your skills....both on the artwork side and the performance side.

An outstanding looking butt wrap on a custom rod is a joy to behold, but it doesnt enhance the performance of the rod. An outstanding performing rod with an outstanding deco finish is a true work of art. Do all your butt wrap practice on broom handles, offcuts (tapered) pieces of rods - as this can really trip up the newby, while honing your rod building skills (assembling the grips/winch/butt cap/alligning and spacing the guides on the backbone).

There is more to a good rod than a pretty finish.....though the finish can be an addiction in itself.

Keep us posted on your progress. Am more than happy to help if wanted.

Cheers
Greg

["L"plates]

hey greg ,
when i first got started i was just looking to make a good quality rod to fish with and now have discovered a whole side of rod making that i'm finding as much fun as fishing almost. thanks for the advice about getting the basics right first, i can see that a rod that may have had 20 hours of art done may fish like a noodle but either way i know theres gonna b plenty of failures, head scratching and "how the #@%& do they do that" so you may regret the offers of help one day
regards mick