I know this cam up in a recent post but I didn't want to derail that one.....has anyone found success with this tool?
Seems to me it is almost impossible to get it straight down the blank.

I didn't. Just use it as a tape measure.

I have the laser alignment tool. Great concept but you're right. Getting it straight in the reel seat and stable is near impossible. I also have issues seeing the laser line towards the tip of the rod.

Lasers are inherently extremely precise, much more so than the eyes and fingers actually using them for guide alignment. Better to use a taught, brightly colored thread fished through the guides to align them. Best to employ a single, precision, repeatable mechanical fixture for each guide all the way down the blank. While requiring some engineering and fabrication on a mill, I do not understand why a similar unit to the one I fabricated is not on the market. All my guides are aligned within 0.005in of each other, first time, every time, no need for eye of finger judgment calls, and repeatable if a guide gets knocked off prior to wrapping. Besides saving time, I know my guides are precisely and easily aligned.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I've got one. It works provided you adapt your build process to the laser. Got to start with the tip top then build down the rod to the stripper. And if you have a rod wrapping lathe you've got to keep the rod supports out of the way of the laser light to verify a guide's location, which can mean having to remove the upper rod supports. All in all, a great concept, but a bit of a pain.

I primarily build multi piece fly rods and think (hope) my less technically advanced techniques are sufficient to the task. I think it great that Mark T can align guides to three positions to the right of the decimal. That is precision with a capital P however that might equate to degrees of alignment. But I wonder how precise is enough and just how much addition rod performance results.

Bottom line is I've taken the batteries out of my laser tool so as not to risk damage from non use.

I bought one from Mudhole. Tried it and then ended up selling it to a guy in Montana. IMHO a waste of money.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

One issue with a laser alignment tool is that a laser light shoots out a 100% straight line light.

But most rod blanks are not 100% straight. There might be a dip here a bend there etc. i.e. nothing out of line to cause any issues with the blank, but of sufficient deviation where a laser light simply will miss the mark of aligning the guides.

Every builder can use his method of aligning guides and each can be completely different, but each can be 100% useful and align guides perfectly for the blank in question.

Good luck

Actually, Donald is exactly, if not practically, correct. How precise do the guides really need to be aligned? I do not think I could personally tell a difference in casting distance if the guides were not perfectly aligned. But aesthetically, misaligned guides look very unprofessional. I will keep using my guide alignment / mounting system simply because it is quicker and easier and, of course, precise.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Mark, Do you have a you tube demo of your alignment system?

Mark, one of the positives of this site is the sharing on knowledge and ideas. We all benefit from it, and I am sure you have as well. Why are you hesitant in sharing your development?

Perhaps he wants to patent his invention.

Phil & Roger,
I would love to share the workings with everyone here, especially with those who have helped me so much as both of you. At this point, it would unfair to two parties interested in the unit and concept. I guess I’m guilty of trying to hype the concept. But I’ll keep you posted.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.