[FishingBuds]

New guy here, been looking into making some of my own things with my son. Had a question on rod wrappers.

For a beginner is it best to go with a hand wrap set up? or use a motor wrap set up?

[braveviper]

I would jump in and spring for the machine.Wrapping by hand is a lot of work.Making fishing rods is very addictive!Remember i told you first! Flex coat makes a great set up but you wil need to get a drying motor to dry the epoxy.Good luck and have fun. Steve.

[Mattman]

I started out wrapping by hand. After several years I got a power head for my wrapper. That was 3 or 4 years ago. I still wrap by hand for the most part.

[FishingBuds]

Thanks, it sounds fifty fifty so far. I just don't want to do the wrong thing and spoil my maybe new addiction

Those that make rods, do you buy the kits?? you know that come with the handles, guides and such?

I have looked at both ways, it seems I would like to purchase exactly want I want on all componets, but I would be limited on what exactly I want thru the kits, unless someone knows of a place that is flexable on thier kits?

Got another question here also, whats a good over all spinning blank customer to start off with. one that is a good rod and decent price to make your first few on?

[Mattman]

I build 35 to 50 rods a year and I don't feel the need for a power wrapper. I have a power head and on occasion it is nice. But too often my wraps have too much detail for me to gain any speed by power wrapping.

I have NEVER bought a kit. Probably not a bad idea for your first rod or two but once you know what you're doing and how to optimize your build, kits never have the exact components you would use anyway.

Spinning for what? Crappie, Walleye, Bass, Freshwater, Saltwater, etc? That's a pretty wide open arena. Can you narrow that down with how you'll fish and what you'll fish for?

[rhahn427]

I have a power wrapper and a hand wrapper ....... usually use the hand wrapper ......... I buy components and not kits. Keep your eye open for deals ...... lots of them out there. Kits are good to begin with if you don't know what to buy.

[FishingBuds]

Originally Posted by Mattman

I build 35 to 50 rods a year and I don't feel the need for a power wrapper. I have a power head and on occasion it is nice. But too often my wraps have too much detail for me to gain any speed by power wrapping.

I have NEVER bought a kit. Probably not a bad idea for your first rod or two but once you know what you're doing and how to optimize your build, kits never have the exact components you would use anyway.

Spinning for what? Crappie, Walleye, Bass, Freshwater, Saltwater, etc? That's a pretty wide open arena. Can you narrow that down with how you'll fish and what you'll fish for?

Sure, mainly fish for LM bass, I like to jig,spinners,jerk and alot of worming types, finese,wacky and the such(softs are my favorite) I use spinning rods for these, hard baits,wire baits I mainly use casting rod bait casters.

My first few I'd like to build a good few spinning rods for these baits.

Upfront my gut feeling is hand wrapping. I don't see the need to go fast and it appears I could go too fast for my first few rods. I want quality and I think kits would take the joy out of it too but, This is all gut feeling so far, of course from me reading more into it.

what do I know yet-I haven't even made my first rod

I guess I need to realize what would hurt my wallet on a screw up, so I think a 100 bucks into it and screwing up would suck But I'd want a good rod and I wouldn't plan on getting it all done in one day

Hope this helps but, by all means ask away to me or post the comments thats why I joined-to learn a great hobby for me and my son(can't forget him, he's a quick learner)

[FishingBuds]

Originally Posted by rhahn427

I have a power wrapper and a hand wrapper ....... usually use the hand wrapper ......... I buy components and not kits. Keep your eye open for deals ...... lots of them out there. Kits are good to begin with if you don't know what to buy.

Thanks, I have been looking at these Batson Enterprises - Page 10

but was wondering, I haven't even got equipment yet. I kinda think I should go the best way on my first rod.

Unless other wise-and thats just determine from some of the feed back, so far most seems to go by hand so far, it seems better

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by FishingBuds

Got another question here also, whats a good over all spinning blank customer to start off with. one that is a good rod and decent price to make your first few on?

I'd say something like a St. Croix 70MF or a Loomis MB843. Somewhere between those power classes. 3/16 ounce lure rating on the low end...3/4 ounce on the high end.

The Batson RX7 is probably the best bang for the buck out there. The ISB842 or ISB843. IMB843. Step down to the RX6 if you feel the RX7 is too pricey.

[braveviper]

Wrapping by hand is good when your putting guides on but for the underwrap by the butt end it could get tedious.Heres what you do....Go to a garage sale or a flea market and buy a used rod for 5 or 10 bucks and strip it down,clean it up and rebuild it.For less than 20 bucks you have a custom rod.When you get good at it, order your lamiglass or St. Croix blanks