[adam.d]

Im wanting to give rod building a go. Should I just buy a hand wrapper and a dryer (like the fuji 1) or am i better off making my own hand wrapper and buying the dryer?
Has anyone got anything for sale that might interest me?
Thanks for any pointers

 

[CRB]

Its down to what you are willing to spend really. When I got started, I wasn't willing to pay that much money for a wrapper and dryer. So I build myself a wrapper and dryer. Cost of material was far less than those ready made ones.

Simple but effective

Bought a syncronized motor off ebay, two angle aluminium from a hardware shop as the frame, made the stand out of perspex and lathe some wheels out of teflon bought from ebay.

 

[Andy7671]

Beautiful workmanship.

 

[shaeg]

That looks a cracking job well done

 

[meanstreak]

I just used 2 cardboard boxes with a V cut out as only did 2 rods, just as well I didn't waste money on a turner/drier as I was rubbish at it lol

 

[CRB]

I just used 2 cardboard boxes with a V cut out as only did 2 rods, just as well I didn't waste money on a turner/drier as I was rubbish at it lol

LOL.. there's no harm in a V cut out cardboard box.. as long as it does the job.

 

[STAN M]

Go for the dryer, the one CRB has made from various sources will work ideal and not too expensive.

As to the hand wrapper, nothing wrong with the two 2 "V" set up (or cardboard box), both work.

I`ve got three power lathes but lighter fly rods and thin tips are still done by hand. I don`t even have 2 x "V"s, only one, the other support is my hand.

 

[CRB]

Go for the dryer, the one CRB has made from various sources will work ideal and not too expensive.

As to the hand wrapper, nothing wrong with the two 2 "V" set up (or cardboard box), both work.

I`ve got three power lathes but lighter fly rods and thin tips are still done by hand. I don`t even have 2 x "V"s, only one, the other support is my hand.

I've never tried using a power lathe before, only by hand as age is creeping up and my eye sight is not what it use to be...lol I have a jeweler's eyepiece to inspect after a few turns..

 

[STAN M]

I've never tried using a power lathe before, only by hand as age is creeping up and my eye sight is not what it use to be...lol I have a jeweler's eyepiece to inspect after a few turns..

A lot of the time I`m quite happy doing by hand, especially on lighter stuff but the power lathe has its` moments.

This week I`ve been working on 5 x 130lb trolling rods for bluefin, the underwraps on the 5 guides per rod are all size A metallic silver and then a butt wind underwrap in A metallic blue on each, 6inch long. Between that lot is close on a 4oz., ( 3000yd) spool of metallic A, would take forever by hand and a lot of sore fingers. With the lathe, allowing for trim bands by hand I can rattle up a full rod in around an hour. Then if you add on the thread hosels each end of the leather grip there is another 200 yds per rod.

 

[Luisra]

I've this...Pacbay and microwave motor...
Pacific Bay RodSmith Hand Rod wrapper - Rod Building Equipment & Tools - Rod Building Equipment & Tools

 

[CRB]

I guess having a power lathe to wrap a number of rods will be an advantage, especially if you are doing it as a business. It's more of a hobby for me and the occasional project here and there and repairs. Nice pic of the rod build Stan..

When I first got into custom rods, I looked at that Pacbay and microwave motor.. wrapper and dryer before. And that's what prompted me to build a dryer to save on cost and not to mention the idea of how to build mine...lol