I'm 72 years old ,will be married 50 years this September,have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

I am new to all of this and about a month or so ago I decided to try to restore and old,cheap fiberglass spinning rod that my dad had.The rod is nothing special other then it belonged to my dad.
I started watching videos on YouTube and then bought Tom Kirkman's guide to rod building.Tom's little guide helped me a lot and off I went!
I made a lot of mistakes with my first attempt but also learned a lot from them.
I don't intend to make any money restoring or building new rods but I enjoy learning something new all the time!

I retired 10 years ago and have been trying to fit a lifetimes "wish list" into what time I have left on earth!
NEVER too old to learn!

Tom

Thomas,

Welcome to rod building. It is a great hobby / business. Not a lot of money to be made; but hours of enjoyment and creativity!

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Hello Thomas.

Welcome aboard and enjoy, this site will help with any of your rod building questions, and will listen to and discuss any ideas you may have as well.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Welcome
You sound like you are blessed Nice family This site alone has much info on it There is a Search where you can find most answers to most questions Up in the black banner there is the Library lots of info Another part of this board is the Photo Page Lots of picts of rods many have built

Bill - willierods.com

"I retired 10 years ago and have been trying to fit a lifetimes "wish list" into what time I have left on earth!
NEVER too old to learn! "

No,
NEVER too old to be young again!

Don Becker

Thanks for the welcome Don,,,
There was a man named Don Campbell who lived in Milford,CT and made trolling lures for Bluefish and Striped Bass!
I can't tell you how many Blues I caught using his lures!

Thanks to all for the warm welcome!
I don't know anything about building rods but I've done a lot of other things in lapidary,jewelry making(sterling silver) I had over 1 ton of semi precious rocks here and cut all my own cabs.Probably one of the most complete lapidary hobby shops inthe northeast. Did a LOT of copper and steel metal art and a whole bunch of other things I got into after retirement!
Now I'm back in kindergarten (again) trying to build a fishing rod! LOL
I sure would have loved the internet when I was much younger.NO end to what you can learn now!

Thanks again,,,
Tom

Don't be afraid to combine your jewelry making and rodbuilding. I am thinking a silver filigree above the handle or in a split grip. Maybe over a decorative wrap:)

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

Winding checks come to mind Take a look at what is on the market for rods If you can make better they may be a market for your works ?? Seats ?? Butt caps ??

Bill - willierods.com

I got out of making jewelry cuz I was getting very frustrated trying to see what I was doing. It's very close,tedious work and it was a hobby,not a business!
I got into metal art which is much easier but still fun to do!