Apologies for this basic question. There's been lots of discussion on spine vs straightest axis. This is not quite the same question but it is a question of spine and guide orientation in relation to the spine. I normally build 1 piece rods so this has not been an issue.



I have an out of production 3 piece UL blank equivalent to about 3 wt fly rod in power. It's a special blank and I have one shot to build this right.

When rolling the blank, there is a clear spine where it is significantly stiffer than the rest of the rod. The two stiffest axis is clearly 180 degrees from each other. So far so good.

I would like to build with the guides on the stiffest axis. Is this OK? When casting with a very hard motion, would this cause the multipiece blank to slip at the joint and twist as the rod blank seeks it more 'natural' axis where it bends with the least resistance?

I once had a UL rod that always cast to one side though it was straight as a rod. I wondered if it was due to the guides being on the stiffest axis.

Thanks in advance for any comment from those of you who build on multipiece UL blanks and have built with guides oriented on the stiffest axis.

Thanks!
Mo

If you want to build on the stiffest axis, by all means go for it. No the multi piece rods will not twist at the joint.

If you want to build on the straightest axis for each piece of the multi piece rod, go for it.

If you want to just jam the different pieces of blank together and build on what comes up, go for it.

Actually, I am guessing that if you used any of the above methods of building the rod, you would have very little difference using the actual rod for casting and catching fish.

The reason that it is custom - you can build the rod in any way that you feel works for you.

Personally, I really don't worry at all about the stiffest side of the rod. I just roll the blank on a flat surface and build on the straightest axis of each piece of a multi piece rod.

For me, that works as good as any other method.

By the way, over the years, I have used rods that have been built off axis, built off spine, and off the straightest axis. Yet, I have never had one cast sideways or exhibit any other bad traits. I just simply don't believe that the axis on which a rod is built is that important.


Be safe



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/29/2014 11:36PM by roger wilson.

It all depends where the guides are, not the spine. At some point, either on the back cast or the forward cast, the level arm effect of the guides is going to try and twist the rod. So good ferrule fit and assembly is the really important thing.

.................

Agree with Roger --- roll each section for straightest; mark them; assemble them & retest for straightest -- just in case one of the ferrules doesn't align 100%

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

The reason I asked is that I would LIKE to build on the stiffest axis to increase the power of the rod. As it is 3wt equivalent, it is a bit lighter in power than I'd like. The difference between the stiff and flexible axis (if that's the term) is significant.

Much appreciated. As always, I find rodbuilding to be tops of all the forums that I participate in.

Mo

Mo,
I agree with your reasoning. If the bow of the blank allows it (1st priority), I always build on the stiffest axis…..not only because of a slight increase in power, but a bit more sensitivity.