I am going to get into the rod making scene. I have been an avid fly fisher for about 3 years now and a flytyer for about a year. Always learning. Since I love the sport so much, I have decided to expand my horizon with rod making, especially with winter coming on. So heres my question. What equipment do I need to get started? I have heard of many people making their own rod turner out of Barbeque rotisseries. What else could I make one out of (since the ones in most magazines are so expensive if I could make my own)? Thanks to all that respond and I hope to make many more posts, and recieve much good use out of this board.

Adam

I believe you posted earlier. Yesterday. Rich Garbowski gave you some ideas. Just check below and see the reply.

You need very little if anything. A turner is for rotating your finish so it doesn't sag. But you can get by without it just by turning your rods by hand every few minutes for an hour or two.

Get some books on the subject and read up on the hobby. By the time you finish you'll know about what you need.

Adam, I got into rod building cheap by making my own wrapping jig (stand) for about $10.00 worth of Poplar and a saturday afternoon. Works, but it ain't pretty. Fact is, it doesn't take a sizeable investment to end up with perfectly adequate tools, i.e a manufactured wrapping jig such at the ones from Flex Coat - its an inexpensive and functional tool. I would, however, not reccommend you go without a constant speed drying motor of between 6 and 16 RPM (Flex Coat sells them too). I apply my finish to a rotating rod, which is a pain to try and do by hand, and not having to manually rotate drying finish is worth every penny you spend, not to mention the results. Try the battery operated motor from FC ( i think...). Saves your behind if the power ever goes out, portable, sturdy and basic.

Good luck, and welcome to the deeper levels of the obsession. We've all been there...

I started with a flex coat hand rod wrapper and flex coat finish and drying motor. They were about $120 combined. I'm also pretty new at this but have made 5 or 6 rods with this equipment. Everything works great. Do pick up a book as everyone else has suggested. It will help with many of the simpler things. Good luck.

Adam, Try allelectronics.com Look under gearmotors. I bought one of their 40 rpm 120v motors for $2.50+$2.50 s&h. I've used it for six rods with no problems. This higher speed for a drying motor works good for applying finish and is very good for drying U-40 LS-Supreme. Has a 1/4" shaft.

Clemens had an "economy" rod turner for I believe $39, but they mentioned that it was a limited stock item, so they may be out by now. If you can get one, I think it is hard to beat, and will save you time and hassle trying to rig something yourself.

TH