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Whats a guy in for?


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If a guy wanted to get started in rod building what is he in for price wise? Tools, blanks, guides, all of it. I am not asking about top end loomis type rods, but I do like good equip.

I used to build recurves and long bows but have lost access to the tools and am looking for another outlet. This looks like something I could get into.

Any information will help.

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Here is a link to a post about equipment. Most can be hand made.

Rod Building tools

As far as blanks, guides etc prices, the best bet is to contact a vendor that carries them. Thorne Bros, Midwest Rod and Reel are a couple and are sponsors of this site. Each blank or type of guides are going to be a different price and the range of prices are wide.

There are other vendors out there that can be found on a web search to find prices on.

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Just as upnorth mentioned there are many different places to get equipment from and different prices available. I personally would venture to guess that I have a few hundred buckaroos in my equipment. That includes thread, a turning table, epoxy, color presever, the list could go on and on. Best thing to do would be to contact someone that already has this stuff and see what they use, maybe borrow some of it or find a shop that will allow you to build at their place and see if it is something that you definately want to get into first. But even regardless of the price, it is such a nice feeling catching a fish on something that you have built yourself. Plus if you are good enough at it, maybe you can sell a few to recoup some of the cost of the equipment.

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Hmmmm, the only things that would be really useful to buy are a slow rpm motor for drying thread epoxy and a thread tensioner (sorry but books don't cut it). The thread tensioner is cheap the drying motor isn't much. This, some wood, and some work and you'll have the basic tools to do the work. Of course this assumes that you have an Xacto knife, razor blades, and similar stuff. Most of the rod building stuff are consumables like thread, masking tape, rod bond, finish epoxy, etc.

On the other hand if you don't want to build your own tools you can buy them, figure on $150 to play.

As for blanks, guides, reel seats, cork handles and such the sky's the limit. I find that building a factory spining or casting rod to factory specs (guides, handle, reel seat, blank) costs roughly the same as buying the rod at a dealer. If you build fly rods you can save significant coin. Building yourself allows you to choose every component and craft a rod better than factory. In blanks you can find a number of blank makers that produce high quality blanks for less than you'll spend on the name makers (G. Loomis, St. Croix, etc.). As for price, name a rod that you would like to build and we can figure out a range of materials that could fit the bill. The cheapest rod I've built were a couple of 8' 4/5wt fly rods for my kids. I was actually trying to build the least expensive, decent rods I could. IIRC they were roughly $50-$60 each and are quite good.

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Neighbor Guy,

Cabelas also has a starter kit you could look into. Call them and ask for them to send you their tackle craft magazine. That'll give you a good start.

From there, I eqaute it to the tackle box. As time goes on, keep buying and adding to it.

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The easiest thing to do is figure out what your budget will be. Then after that , go to Thorne Bros. They listen to how you fish and then take things from there. They WILL NOT push the top of the line unless you want it!! Ask for Lonnie, or Matt

Since you are not in the Twin Cities, take Harvey Lees advice grin.gif

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One could also call Al or Bill at Midwest Rod and Reel. They offer classes in a group or on a individual bases. They can also work your time frame in.

Darn good class for the price and you will also end up with a nice rod. I statred a class today and really found out how much I didnt know.

If you believe that you may be interesdted in building a new rod or two, do yourself a favor and call the boys at Midwest and chat. They will answer all your questions you may have.

http://www.midwestrodandreel.com/

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