Hello all! I am a new member and first-time poster. I just entered the rod building game so I am going to have a TON of questions I'm sure, lol. I've already had the majority of my early questions answered here just by searching these forums. One question I had that I couldn't quite get a clear answer on here was in regards to weighing a blank. I am going to be building fly rods exclusively, just for friends and myself really. I have a small digital scale that will work perfectly for weighing components, etc. but not so much for blanks as blanks are too long. I've read on here that a float scale is a good way to measure blank weight but I was wondering if there were digital scales that can do it effectively? I am not sure how float scales work and they seem to be hard to come by unless I order from a car parts site. I'd like to be able to get accurate weights of completed rods so I can scribe the info on the rod. Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated. This forum is amazing and the contributions you members make to guide newbies and vets alike is paramount to our success. Thanks again!

You can do it with a digital scale. Stand the blank on its butt end and with a finger keep it as nearly vertical as you can. The more vertical the less effect your stabilizing finger will have on the final weight reading. This may not get you to an accurate 3rd decimal point, but it'll be more than good enough for 1 or maybe 2.

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Just balance your rod on the scale you have should work just fine.
Norm

Amazom.com has a lot listed , As Norman stated balance on the pan & it should do a good job for you ,
BALANCE is what you need

William Sidney
AK

Awesome gentlemen, thanks for the input! Sounds much easier to do than i tried to make it!

I have used a carburetor float scale for years and it is extremely accurate, simple and inexpensive.

[www.autozone.com]

You can pick up a digital postal scale at Wal-Mart for about $10. I've checked mine over and over again with a 500 grain standard and the things' dead nuts accurate.

My wife has 2 kitchen scales and what everyone says is right.

Turn on the digital scale, set a small flower vase on the scale, tare the display to zero and insert the rod or pieces into the vase. Now you have the weight of the blank or rod.

Brilliant! Thank you!