I want to be able to adjust my guides without having to retape every time. Are there bands or maybe some kind of tubing I could use to hold the guides down and still be able to adjust and wrap the guides? If so, where do I get them?

Hi Andrew

You can buy rubber tubing from some of our sponsors on the left. I know Mudhole sells it. You then cut it to the desired length you need. You can go to your local Orthadontist and buy the small braces elastics. Or possibly your local drug store.

Thank You,

Chris Tulk

I have been using elastic beading thread for years. Can adjust guides, even cast.
You buy in craft stores like Michaels or Joanns.

Cut off 8" and wrap guide foot under tension. Make two overhand knots. Adjust guide -finished.
Herb

The rubber tubing Chris mentioned is Surgical tubing. I use a combo of that and tape when needed and it works great. However, be careful when moving guides as the tubing holds them down tight and you can scratch the blank if you're not careful.

Herb Ladenheim Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have been using elastic beading thread for
> years. Can adjust guides, even cast.
> You buy in craft stores like Michaels or Joanns.
>
> Cut off 8" and wrap guide foot under tension.
> Make two overhand knots. Adjust guide -finished.
> Herb
I do the same as Herb...use the elastic thread and it is available at Wally World, as well, in the yardage dept.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Hi Andrew,

Some other items that work for holding and adjusting guides:

Tubing (with video) : [www.mudhole.com]

Guide Foot Adhesive (with video): [www.mudhole.com]

Thin Tape: [www.mudhole.com]

Also a grease marker pen used to remember where you last placed the guide: [www.mudhole.com]
.
.

Regards.
Team Mud Hole Custom Tackle
Web: [www.mudhole.com]
Email: sales@mudhole.com
Toll Free Phone #: 1-866-790-RODS (7637)

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Check with an orthodontist for 3/16 rubber bands. I get mine free.

Gentlemen

We have a great, inexpensive solution. Our Guide Foot Adhesive allows you to tweek guides. Check out the short video at the link below

[www.flexcoat.com]

Check it out

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

Andrew,
This might help.
I setup a rod as follows:

I just take pieces of 1/8th inch wide tape to set the guide positions.

I pre cut a bunch of inch long pieces of tape. Then, I take the tape to do my initial guide setup. Then, I just press the blank tip against a surface and load the blank. After doing this, I will verify the guide positions on the blank.

If necessary, I will readjust the tape position as necessary to have an appropriate line path for the loaded blank.

Once I have the tape in the final position; I tape the guides in place. Once I wrap, I seldom have to readjust the guides.

--
But, if you want to use bands, you can get Ortho bands of many many different sizes to accommodate you wishes. When you bands, just put enough bands, plus a couple of extra to secure each guide. Wrap the guide 1/2 way, and then use a fine nosed snip to remove the band from the rod.

Just one of many many sources for Ortho bands. Pick up a variety to handle various rod blank sizes.
[www.amazon.com]

Good luck



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/30/2015 04:46PM by roger wilson.

If you are wrapping the tape all the way around the blank, then I can understand you frustration. Try cutting tape so that it just contacts the sides of the blank. It will hold the guide in place just fine, and it also makes an excellent anchor point for trim threads and your tie off loop. I have used this method for over 40 years and have tried all the other methods. I will stick with this one. I only tape one guide to the blank at a time, I have never seen a good enough reason to attach them all at one time. They still have to be given minor adjustments and with this method it is very easy.

I sometimes use 30# mono that I make circular loops with using a knot like a uni that will slip and tighten around the guide.

Second the use of elastic sewing thread, available at any sewing supplies store. It's cheap, easy to use, strong, quick, secures guides solidly yet allows easy adjustment.

I go to the drug store and get a bag of rubber bands I use them like the thread the thin ones as the thread Ty them on

Bill - willierods.com

With all of my rod building, I employ production room techniques. So, I normally run my rods through my rod shop in batches. I do set up and a given operation on all of the components, blanks, or grips at one time.

So, if I am building 6 rods that day, I will prep the blanks, prep and size the grips, prep all of the guides, and when it comes to putting the guides on the rod - tape all of the guides on all of the guides.

Then, I just go back to the first rod, wrap the guides and align them and go onto the next guide etc. to the last rod in the batch.

When I am on a roll doing a particular operation; I find that I waste less time by doing one operation - on all of the rods in the batch, rather than doing things one item at a time.

In particular, when making a bunch of identical rods, It is so much easier to align, and space guides when I am doing all of the rods in the batch - one operation at a time.

Be safe

Another thing that may work well is Spider Thread that is an elastic self cinching thread used for tying spawn sacks for trout and salmon fishing.
Just wrap a few turns over it's self and pull to seat and break.
Sort of like the elastic beading thread without having to tie any knots.
Guess I'll have to see if I have any at home and try it. ;)

[www.redwingtackle.com]

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

A lot of good suggestions here guys.

I'm in the process of building my third rod now. On my first two, I learned quickly that using tape can be quite frustrating, at least for the smaller guides. So since I had plenty of them lying around, last night I decided to try the bands used to make jig or spinnerbait skirts. I used two bands per guide. Seemed to work a lot better, and they held tight enough that I could load the rod, test cast, and make whatever adjustments were necessary before wrapping. I'm not sure they would work as good for micros, but for standard guides they worked rather well.

I swear I had a post on here last night. Seems to be gone.....Or I didn't post it lol.