Hello all. I've been lurking here for a while now and enjoy the wealth of sharing and information here. I recently ordered an MHX S871-2 rod kit which came with a micro guide set. There are ten guides in the set. Seems like overkill to me but I have no experience with these particular guides. Any suggestions on whether I need 10 guides on a 7 foot spinning rod? These guides are tiny,I'm gonna have to use a headlamp and xtra strong reading glasses just to wrap them lol. Thank you all in advance.


Robert Ford

Usually a 7 foot spinning rod is good with 8 guides + the tiptop, but I suggest you utilize a stress test to determine if you need more than 8. Check out the library and other on-line sources for instructions on doing that if you are not already familiar with it. The biggest challenge on the running guides of course is their spacing as determined by the stress test, and the challenge with the reduction guides is their spacing determined by best casting performance, with the stress test secondary.

By the way, what guides are they? Brand, ring size, model. You'll get some good help from the forum if the members know more about your guides.

If it's a Mudhole kit try giving them a call or drop them a note. They've probably answered the question before.

Last rod I built with a micro guide set I found it easier to tape the guides in place for the load tests, record the final guide positions, remove the guides and tape, and then use the Flex Coat or CRB guide foot adhesive to hold the guides in place while wrapping.

They are Pro Concept CRB Elite Guides.

Robert Ford

Donald La Mar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If it's a Mudhole kit try giving them a call or
> drop them a note. They've probably answered the
> question before.
>
> Last rod I built with a micro guide set I found it
> easier to tape the guides in place for the load
> tests, record the final guide positions, remove
> the guides and tape, and then use the Flex Coat or
> CRB guide foot adhesive to hold the guides in
> place while wrapping.



Thank you for that. I figured the guide foot adhesive was the way to go. I will call Mudhole tomorrow when I have time. Appreciate the rapid response!

Robert Ford

Are you building a spinning or casting rod?

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

Dang I thought I mentioned that. It's a spinning rod.

Robert Ford

Have you considered using the Micro wave air guides? There pretty slick and work great not expensive! Especially easy for a new Successful builder, Very easy to set-up, Just follow the directions, And they work nice and smooth, I have more then a few people ask specifically for these guides on rods I build for them. [www.americantackle.us]
[www.mudhole.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/09/2018 05:20AM by Jay Dubay.

Robert

You do not have to use all of the guides that came with the set. Use what you think will make a well thought out guide train and keep the extras for spares.

Rog

I just built a CRB blank using mudholes kit, it's a 6'6" casting rod and i put all 9 guides on it as per the package and CRB's guide placement. I'm building a 7' MHX spinning rod now and intend to use all 9 guides as per there guide placement guide as i figure it's there blank and they know best.

Bruce Phillips Wrote:
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> I just built a CRB blank using mudholes kit, it's
> a 6'6" casting rod and i put all 9 guides on it as
> per the package and CRB's guide placement. I'm
> building a 7' MHX spinning rod now and intend to
> use all 9 guides as per there guide placement
> guide as i figure it's there blank and they know
> best.

Bruce that is kind of what I was thinking as well. I am going to play around with it.

Robert Ford

If you stick with the advice that you get from the experts at mudhole you will be in good shape. Go slow you with the build.

If you stick with the advice that you get from the experts at mudhole you will be in good shape. Go slow you with the build.

As Roger said, just because a guide kit comes with a certain number of guides,doesn't mean you have to use them all. In fact, I'd much prefer a guide kit have too many guides, than not have enough. As Michael pointed out, you'll want to use the static load method for placing your running guides. How closely you want the line's path to match the curve of the blank under load, is going to go into determining how many guides you need. With spinning rods you can usually get away with fewer guides than you'd need on a conventionally wrapped casting rod, simply because you don't have to deal with spacing the guides so the line barely touches, or doesn't touch the blank at all.

With that said, you still don't want to space the guides too far apart because it will over flex the blank, and could cause conditions that may put the blank in jeopardy of breaking. For me personally, I will always err on the side of having what some would consider, too many guides, in lieu of not having enough. I know guide train weight, especially running guide weight, hurts rod performance, but I'm ok with that.

Being my first build I have decided to go with the recommended number of guides and use the spacing chart. I will be sure to test the guides prior to wrapping. I just glued the handle all up and I'm excited!

Robert Ford

Update: I did a load test and really like mudhole's layout. I also spent a half hour looking for one of those damn micro guides I dropped on my floor with a flashlight and extra strong readers lol. Thanks all for the good advice . I will post up some pics of my first rod build!

Robert Ford

{Quote I also spent a half hour looking for one of those damn micro guides} Boy think we have all been their!! Ha, Enjoy it sounds like it's coming together just fine!! Cheers Jaa

Jay,
The simple solution for working with micro guides is to lay down a couple of 4x8 sheets of white hardboard. That way, when a guide falls on the floor, it is easy to spot against the white background.
One of the main reasons that my work shop has white walls, white ceiling and cream colored floors. Lots of light and easy to find things.

[www.homedepot.com]

I want to thank all of you for your suggestions. I built my first rod ,and it came out pretty good! My friend told me it looked as good as anything he sees in stores. I will be building many more in the future. Thanks again !!

Robert Ford