So I finally got my first bamboo rod blank. It's already been ferruled but I really don't know where to go from here. I have no supplies or hardware, I don't know a place to buy good quality stuff. The only place so far Ive considered has been Anglers roost, their prices cant be beat but I don't know about they quality. I'm really stuck on a thread color as well. One thing that has been bothering me for a long time has been how do I prepare the rod and what do I use as a varnish? Any thing I can pick up at Lowes or a hardware store? I feel really lost like a blindman.
Does it matter what type or brand of guides you use they are just metal? Or is there such a thing as junk guides?
I do have a little background with rod repair, I built a rod out of a tip and mid section of a old rod so I successfully put the handle and reel seat on the rod. I feel like i could have gotten a better deal though on the grip and seat if I would have went some where else than Cabelas.
Thanks for any help, I know I have a lot of questions.
Full Version: Hi, new to rod building and bamboo.
Everything you need is in here. The sticky about rod building suppliers has everything as far as supplies goes. I like Golden Witch and REC and Bellinger for my supplies. Check the bamboo showcase for a ton of rod photos. You can see every combination of thread colors and designs. I like Snake Brand guides. All the varnish can be had at you local hardware store. There are a lot of threads on varnishing, dip tubes ect.. I am amazed at what I have learned just by reading and researching this site.
Well Ive done a lot of research and these are the questions that I had leftover that I couldn't figure out on my own. Thanks for the info though.
It's all a matter of how much you want to spend, and how good/great a rod you want to build. Pac-Bay or Fuji snake guides will get the job done. They are just metal, but some are definitely better quality than others, and will look better, even if they don't last any longer. Mud Hole, Fishsticks 4 You, Jann's Netcraft, Hook & Hackle, J Stockard, Golden Witch, any of the rod building supply houses (many of which are also flytying supplies) will carry an assortment of guides with varying price points. The ones I've listed are the ones I've patronized, but there are many more.
For rod finish, most of us spar varnish, and the Helmsman brand that you can get from Home Depot or Lowes will work just fine. Top of the line seems to be Man of War brand spar, but it's hard to come by. If you have an Ace Hardware nearby, the Ace brand of Spar might actually be a bit better than the Helmsman. To prepare the blank, just sand it lightly and wipe off the dust. You want a smooth surface, but one that has enough roughness for the varnish to get a good grip. I find 220 grit to be about right. I give my blanks 2 coats of varnish before I add the guides, but I don't think there's any rule on that. I just want to make sure the blank is fully sealed before I start covering it up with hardware.
Thread color, I refuse to help you with. It's purely a personal preference. I would suggest that you use size A nylon for your first few builds, but even that is a personal choice. Gossamer and Naples Silk are traditional, and, while harder to work with, not all that hard. If you can tie flies, you can wrap rods.
If you search the archives, you'll find a lot more suggestions and opinions, but feel free to ask specific questions. We all get totally confused, at times, and need a bit of help getting back on track.
For rod finish, most of us spar varnish, and the Helmsman brand that you can get from Home Depot or Lowes will work just fine. Top of the line seems to be Man of War brand spar, but it's hard to come by. If you have an Ace Hardware nearby, the Ace brand of Spar might actually be a bit better than the Helmsman. To prepare the blank, just sand it lightly and wipe off the dust. You want a smooth surface, but one that has enough roughness for the varnish to get a good grip. I find 220 grit to be about right. I give my blanks 2 coats of varnish before I add the guides, but I don't think there's any rule on that. I just want to make sure the blank is fully sealed before I start covering it up with hardware.
Thread color, I refuse to help you with. It's purely a personal preference. I would suggest that you use size A nylon for your first few builds, but even that is a personal choice. Gossamer and Naples Silk are traditional, and, while harder to work with, not all that hard. If you can tie flies, you can wrap rods.
If you search the archives, you'll find a lot more suggestions and opinions, but feel free to ask specific questions. We all get totally confused, at times, and need a bit of help getting back on track.
QUOTE (phg @ Dec 26 2009, 10:26 AM) 
It's all a matter of how much you want to spend, and how good/great a rod you want to build. Pac-Bay or Fuji snake guides will get the job done. They are just metal, but some are definitely better quality than others, and will look better, even if they don't last any longer. Mud Hole, Fishsticks 4 You, Jann's Netcraft, Hook & Hackle, J Stockard, Golden Witch, any of the rod building supply houses (many of which are also flytying supplies) will carry an assortment of guides with varying price points. The ones I've listed are the ones I've patronized, but there are many more.
For rod finish, most of us spar varnish, and the Helmsman brand that you can get from Home Depot or Lowes will work just fine. Top of the line seems to be Man of War brand spar, but it's hard to come by. If you have an Ace Hardware nearby, the Ace brand of Spar might actually be a bit better than the Helmsman. To prepare the blank, just sand it lightly and wipe off the dust. You want a smooth surface, but one that has enough roughness for the varnish to get a good grip. I find 220 grit to be about right. I give my blanks 2 coats of varnish before I add the guides, but I don't think there's any rule on that. I just want to make sure the blank is fully sealed before I start covering it up with hardware.
Thread color, I refuse to help you with. It's purely a personal preference. I would suggest that you use size A nylon for your first few builds, but even that is a personal choice. Gossamer and Naples Silk are traditional, and, while harder to work with, not all that hard. If you can tie flies, you can wrap rods.
If you search the archives, you'll find a lot more suggestions and opinions, but feel free to ask specific questions. We all get totally confused, at times, and need a bit of help getting back on track.
For rod finish, most of us spar varnish, and the Helmsman brand that you can get from Home Depot or Lowes will work just fine. Top of the line seems to be Man of War brand spar, but it's hard to come by. If you have an Ace Hardware nearby, the Ace brand of Spar might actually be a bit better than the Helmsman. To prepare the blank, just sand it lightly and wipe off the dust. You want a smooth surface, but one that has enough roughness for the varnish to get a good grip. I find 220 grit to be about right. I give my blanks 2 coats of varnish before I add the guides, but I don't think there's any rule on that. I just want to make sure the blank is fully sealed before I start covering it up with hardware.
Thread color, I refuse to help you with. It's purely a personal preference. I would suggest that you use size A nylon for your first few builds, but even that is a personal choice. Gossamer and Naples Silk are traditional, and, while harder to work with, not all that hard. If you can tie flies, you can wrap rods.
If you search the archives, you'll find a lot more suggestions and opinions, but feel free to ask specific questions. We all get totally confused, at times, and need a bit of help getting back on track.
Thank you phg, that was very helpfully. Varnish was the most confusing to me and I really needed that one explained so thank you once again. Ill be off to lowes now.
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