I am a novice at rod building and I am taking a class and building my first rod, a StCroix 9 ft 5 weight fly rod. As with most novice to rod building, I want to build some additional rods and would like to build my own V shaped rod jig. Can anyone tell me where I can get some plans with demensions, etc. for making a jig from wood?

Thank you in advance.

I don't have any plans but can tell you what I did. I took some 1/4's and cut some pieces about 6 inches high. Then cut V notches in the tops. Then on the bottoms I drilled two holes and put in regular wood dowels. Then I bought a 4 foot piece of chip board and made a base with a series of holes at 2 inch intervals to accept the dowel pins in the bottoms of my V stands. I have 3 stand and can move them anywhere along the base.

I made a thread tensioner with another base and some all-thread rod with springs and wing nuts to put tension on the thread. On the base I put in a heavy wire and attached a SIC top to it with hot melt glue. The thread runs through that and up to the rod.

My set-up works fine and wasn't expensive to build. If I had to do it over again, I might just buy one of the basic wrapping jigs from Gudebrod. It's more portable and simple, but would be fine if you're only doing fly rods or shorter freshwater rods.

Thanks for the input Ricky. The "If I had to do it over" is especially useful. Maybe I should just consider buying an inexpensive jig as my plans right now is to build light to medium fly rods (4-9 wts) and freshwater spinning and casting rods. Anybody else have any recommendations on a beginners rod jig?

here's a link to some basic plans.

[www.steelheader.net]

ps - unless you need portability, I'd make it at least 6' long.

Hope this helps,

Jeff

Bob -

There is a guy in Rochester, MN that makes a great rig and its fairly cheap. It is a portable type case that holds all your tools, thread, etc inside along with the rod supports and thread carriage. He even has a bracket for mounting a swing -arm lamp (the clamp on type).

I saw it demonstrated at a show in Breezy Point, MN. Its cool and its portable. I think he has two versions that cost from $60 - $80 (don't quote me on that!). Its great especially for multi piece rods.

If you are interested, click on my name to send me an e-mail and I will give you contact info.

Dave

Hey Jeff.

Thanks for the information and plans on the steelheader site. That is just what I was looking for along with plans for a rod dryer too!! Your suggestion to make it 6 ft long is great. Lots of room to work.

Thanks

Bob