I'm planing my first nodeless rod this winter, and I have a few questions for guys that have done a few.

I've done a bit of reading already, and a lot of guys say that having consistent dimensions to the sticks before splicing makes life easier. Makes sense.

Do you prefer to have a rough 60 on the sticks before splicing, or to have them square? Seems to me that square would make accurate clamping easier, but from what I have read (here, tips board, etc) it looks like some guys rough a 60 before splicing.

I read in a few places about Don Schieder's splicing jig/clamp, but I have not come across a description or picture of the device. Any idea where I could find one?

One more thing while I have your attention. I am considering scalloping this rod. Considering the splices will add some stiffness to the taper, should I skip adding to the dimensions to compensate for the hollowing? Give a little; take a little; end up where you started?

Thanks for any help.

Absolutely squared strips not rough 60* unless you're going to use a special clamp like Don's. Without it I'm not sure how you'd go about holding the strips together with pony or other similar clamp styles.

You can see Don's nodeless splicing clamps in the newest issue of PowerFibers (pg. 12). His contact info is listed there as well.

As far as hollowing, I've never hollowed any of my nodeless rods. I simply don't trust the splices enough (unless I was to leave dams under each), but if you wanted to do it and preserve the action/weight of a specific solid taper, I'd probably try splitting the difference and modifying the taper half as much as you would if only hollowing. That is just a hunch.

Thanks. Square it is.

I didn't realize that Don was selling those clamp jigs. That would explain no info to be found. I'll take that question back. I'll buy one if I want to see it!

Has anyone out there built a hollowed nodeless? I'm kind of bummed about having to choose between the two, but this will likely be the only rod I built this year, so I'm not up for pushing boundaries.