Rod Building 101: Using Rubber Bands for Load Testing Blanks and Spacing Guides (Part 2)

[@loganwright3423]

I'm watching this 3 years later and it's honestly the most helpful tip I've seen for rod building.

[@corydoyle4819]

This is the greatest thing ever, thank your uncle, I've always back wrapped or hot glued guides, this, has made my life so much easier and I'm static testing all my rods now which I had never done due to the pain. A million thank you's.

[@PaloFishing]

Glad we were able to help!

[@heymrdan]

Came here from "the fishing hobby" getting ready to replace some old corroded guides on my abu garcia garage find surf rod.

[@obxsurfandsoundfishing4085]

excellent video

[@ipfishing1466]

Great video and really useful tips just subscribed from the uk

[@lucy38381]

Hi Sam, you make awesome videos, very clear & thorough. I'm a new Rod builder. I have the same lathe set up, love the tensioner idea on the thread carriage. Can you show us how to make it? I think this would benefit all of us with this type of set up. 😀🤙🏼. Thanks!

[@PaloFishing]

Sorry about the delay, just saw this bud. Will definitely make a quick tutorial on how to make this.

[@Shrilldonkey]

I just found your vids and this one is filled with such good tips!

[@PaloFishing]

Glad we could help

[@ralphwaltrts5994]

Your Batson thread Carriage has a tensioner already on it but you installed a fishing pole tip to yours could you please show us how you attached that fishing top pole tensioner to your bats and carriage. Your video was very informative. I am new to building polls and have learned a great deal from your video thank you

[@PaloFishing]

Thats one of our hacks. Its a 1/16" flat metal rod (about 3mm in width) we found lying around the shop one day and fits perfectly between the spool peg and spool.

[@m4a1JAY]

Great video, very clear explanations.

[@davidrf1000]

Thanks for the videos. I'll take all the help I can get.

[@PaloFishing]

CHEVYHDINWV keep at it. Let us know if you have any specific questions

[@PhillipPierceall]

Sam - do you prefer the Flex Coat Power Wrapper or the Alps Power Wrapper?

[@PaloFishing]

I’m a little biased in that I started and learned with Flex Coat’s power wrapper, so I personally prefer it over the Alps. I eventually bought the Alps wrapper, and it works great (especially with a few upgrades such as Al’s carriage system). We primarily use the Alps wrapper for decorative wraps/inlays, as well as for shaping grips. If I was starting over, I’d likely go with the Alps system since it provides most versatility.

[@mikelepori707]

Great video! So how are you figuring out what height guides to use on the first few guides before the choker? I am going to be building my dad a rod and want to be sure i make it as nice as possible. I saw the 27X method and it was showing a straight edge along line down to choker and making sure that the line was just touching bottom ring of guides and to size the guides doing it that way. Sorry to ask a newbie question but am researching as much as i can before i start his build so that i find a good way for guide sizing and spacing.

[@jaymac5172]

Great tips keep up the great work

[@PaloFishing]

Jay Mac appreciate! Thanks bud.

[@JD-hs7ib]

TY I came over from the fishing hobby. is there a good source of blanks that are priced right? Are rod geeks? bad or Ok or good? MHX?

[@PaloFishing]

Welcome! Hope you got some value from our videos. Mudhole and GetBit Outdoors are good places to start. Rod Geeks and MHX make good blanks, we’ve used them both. We also like to use NFC, Batson and ATX blanks as well. Message us with a specific application, and we’ll send you some specific models to consider.

[@peteruveges1976]

Thanks bud

[@BD1JR]

Thank u

[@hakimhalim8253]

sir..my blank 6"6 ,but i want use for 9 guide..can u give me how to solve my problem😂

[@PaloFishing]

Just depends on the action of the rod, and the size of guides you use; rule o thumb is length of rod (in ft) + 1, so maybe 7 guides on a 6’6”; casting guides usually take one more than spinning, and you’re likely going to need another one if you’re using size 5 guides or less; last thing to remember is that guides protect your blank (they ensure loads are properly distributed)

[@Outdoorzmerch]

Horrible angle showing how to tie the rubber band