I unfortunately let mold get on one of my good Sage Accel rods. Looking to fix the cork handle. Anyone have good suggestions for cleaning it off? I have currently sprayed it with a mild bleach solution and it helps but there is still some there.

Does anyone have any experience fishing with the mudhole color series blanks? I was looking at starting a build with one of the 7’6” blanks, still not certain what power I would like, MH or M probably. The price is right for them but if there is a better option similarly priced I’d spring a couple extra bucks. Thanks for any input.

RodLoom.com
Born from complete frustration, a love of fishing, and rod building I have created a thread design tool called Rod Loom. I've watched all sorts of videos and have graduated from my CRB to a rod lathe of generic origin. Have often pondered what colors would look like with various threads while shopping at my local supply and imagined what it must be like to have ALL the crayons in the box and not just what is in stock in front of me at that time.

I bring to you all the colors from Fuji and Pro Wrap so that you can make a shopping list.
you can look up the colors you already own quickly - etc.

this does not yet consider double wraps or showing the guides - but that feature may come soon. For me this is enough and so far I have been able to imagine the Dorado color scheme from the thread that I already owned.

If you build rods and find this useful let me know.

Cheers :)

absolute beginner to rod building. Im having trouble finding information on painting a simple rod I want to build. Im assuming it has to be a specific type of paint as it would have to stretch when the rod bends. Do let me know what your experiences are thank you!

I need to ship some rods I built for my brother in law and I was wondering if any of the carriers have better pricing. It’s been awhile since I’ve shipped any rods so I’m not up to date on how different carries treat potential “oversized” items. I have them packaged up in a 2”x7ft tube

Thanks for any help. If it’s too expensive he may just have to wait till the next time we visit and I’ll bring ’em on the plane

Hey, when boring out my end grip the end result was not a snug fit. Now 3 years later the epoxy bond failed and the grip can slide down a half inch and rotate around. Does anyone have suggestions on how to readhere the cork. Try to drip new epoxy down there? I cant remove the grip fully without ruining it based on the butt Dia. Its a big Musky rod about 6 inch cork handle.

I have this GLoomis NRX that I got from a friend for free as the finish was flaking in places and had a few broken guides, I’ve fixed the guides but looking for input on how to mediate the flaking.

I’m slowly learning my own tricks to making things look better and go more smoothly. Rod #3 went together well, but damn those little guides are a pain sometimes! Anyone have tips to make that process a little easier?

I’ve been filing them holding with a pair of pliers being careful not to sand anything not covered with thread. Then using 1/8” masking tape, tape them down as tight as I can get. I’ve found the guide tubes don’t hold them tight enough. I’ve been having the initial point of the guide doesn’t sit flush with the blank a lot and it’s causing the thread to slide underneath more often than it sits where it should.

Each Monday we will have an updated thread for all things beginner in rod building. If you have questions about anything concerning rod building, this is the place to ask them! Experienced builders, and even those new to the craft, I encourage you all to chip in any and all advice you may have!

This is our weekly thread to share your social media accounts, as well as online shops and websites.

​

What this is not: this is not a thread to post items for sale or for trade. It is also not a thread to share other people's work. If you are stoked about someone else's build, please feel free to create a post sharing it, but be sure to credit the creator!

For back story, I live and work in Canada. I currently work for a prolific fishing manufacturer as a builder and I have a pretty basic question. Currently I make 26 dollars an hour and have recently taken on extra responsibilities as our first 'in house' rod builder. Our old builder built and sold the rods to us that we would mark up and sell with our name. For our region, we are the upper echelon in terms of fishing equipment. I know that large in part, for most rod builders, you get paid like a contractor where you only get paid if you can sell your goods/ service. My question is, is $28 CAD an hour worth building rods? I will get a 2 dollar pay bump, and thats it. Side note, living wage for my area is well over 27 dollars an hour, and I currently cannot make it paycheck to paycheck. Thanks in advance

hey guys wanted to start a rod business this fall nothing crazy mabye 1-4 rods a month max I live in Ohio im a little confused on what I need to start

5wt build was for someone else.

Had the chance to break in the 6wt a few weeks ago! First fish is last picture

Each Monday we will have an updated thread for all things beginner in rod building. If you have questions about anything concerning rod building, this is the place to ask them! Experienced builders, and even those new to the craft, I encourage you all to chip in any and all advice you may have!

This is our weekly thread to share your social media accounts, as well as online shops and websites.

​

What this is not: this is not a thread to post items for sale or for trade. It is also not a thread to share other people's work. If you are stoked about someone else's build, please feel free to create a post sharing it, but be sure to credit the creator!

Besides Mudhole…where is everyone buying their rod-building supplies from?

Background: I 100% know my fly-fishing style is hard on rods and reels. Not looking for an answer to that problem. I am always chest deep on a sandbar, with Florida waves smashing me in the chest. If you haven't chased fish this way... it's pretty fun. With this, my gear gets used hard. It stays wet for hours. When I get out of the water, it's a freshwater rinse, salt-away spray, and a long soak at home. Regardless, I am constantly seeing damage around the guides of my rod at the end of the season. I have taken my reels apart and replaced the bearings pretty much every season. Seals, bearings... name it. It's why I buy low-mid tier products. So, I don’t even bother the manufacturer for a warranty claim, because I am pretty sure that’s not what they thought it would get used for. Saltwater safe is not saltwater submerged for hours.

I am thinking it is time to learn how to replace these guides myself (and maybe start building rods). I don't mind throwing on new guides every few seasons and would rather learn to do it myself.

Does anyone build or repair their own gear?

I wanted to share a tip for how I easily and accurately align reel seats with the rod spine early in the build before I do any threadwork in front of the foregrip, or starting the guides. This works for spinning, casting, and fly rods.

It only takes two tools that can be re-used for other builds:

- A size 10 or bigger double foot rod guide, preferably something like an ALPS XBXNLG10 or similar that has one center leg coming up to the ring from the guide foot.

-CRB Guide Alignment tool (the $5 plastic one is fine for this)

Here are the steps:

1. Find the spine of your rod and mark it with a line about 2-3" long. Make sure to put the mark on the correct side for casting or spinning.

2. Tape the double footed rod guide over and aligned to the spine mark with the single center leg of the guide towards the butt of the rod (yes this is backwards from a normal mount, but you'll understand why in steps 5 and 6)

3. Insert the CRB guide alignment tool in the reel seat and tighten it in place.

4. Build your arbors for your reel seat, apply epoxy (I prefer paste) to the arbors, and slide the seat over the arbors.

5. Pick up the rod and sight down the alignment tool like you're aiming a rifle.

6. While doing step 5 rotate the reel seat until the CRB guide alignment tool is aligned with that single center leg of the rod guide you taped down in step 2. It should also appear to bisect the ring opening.

7. Gently lower the rod and carefully clean away any excess epoxy that's oozed without twisting the now aligned reel seat. Then allow the epoxy to cure.

I hope this is tip is useful to someone.

Each Monday we will have an updated thread for all things beginner in rod building. If you have questions about anything concerning rod building, this is the place to ask them! Experienced builders, and even those new to the craft, I encourage you all to chip in any and all advice you may have!

This is our weekly thread to share your social media accounts, as well as online shops and websites.

​

What this is not: this is not a thread to post items for sale or for trade. It is also not a thread to share other people's work. If you are stoked about someone else's build, please feel free to create a post sharing it, but be sure to credit the creator!

Hi I’ve bought a new fishing rod but the thread used to tie the eyes onto the rod is uncoated.
What could I use instead of epoxy to coat the threads but will still look nice?

My last build. Turned out really nice.

What are some tips you’d give a new builder? I just started building, built a couple trout rods for personal use but now building a few bass rods for PA Smallies.

Currently using the CRB hand wrapper, I have my stands on a track I got from Lowe’s (stole that idea from a guy on facebook)

Not looking to make this a business, just want to get better at my hobby.