can anyone suggest any good how to rod building books, and the authors. can they be ordered from your local bookstore or amazon.com? i know there is a ton of them out there but i would rather not spend a large fortune in several different books that basically tell the same thing.

Jim,
There are lots of good books and video's.
I would recommend Tom Kirkman's Rod Building Guide as a
first choice, also Fiberglass Rod Making or Bill Stinson's
Do It Yourself Rod Building-- all are very good for a beginner.
Summer Moon has all these plus others to chose from.
Our link is at the left-- call for a catalog.
Ed / Summer Moon Rod Works.

Rod Buiders Guide by Tom Kirkman available thru most of the vendors on the left
John

Ed you were to fast for me
John

would the tom kirkman on this page happen to be the same individual that wrote the book, rod builders guide by tom kirkman?

Either of the Flex Coat books are good as well. Although extremely basic, they have gotten many people started on the right foot.

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

i have read the flex coat books but am now looking somthing with a little more detail.

look on @#$%& there is a dale clemens rod building book new retails for about 30.00 so keep in mind when adding shipping cost
look under "rod building " it will show up there . tightwraps john t burford

Jim; Tom is far to modest. His book is excellent. Well written, up to date with plenty of pictures. I would order from him and make him autograph if I were you. Good luck....Jim Upton

i was on amazon and found his book, if tom is out there would he be interested in signing it for say my famous catfish recipe?

I got one of off his site at rodmakermagazine.com and it came signed. Great book. I know they say it is aimed at beginners but even though is it easy to understand and read, it really has a ton of information in it that you will carry down the road with you for many years.

Jim,
The new book (Rod Building Guide...) mentioned comes highly recommended and is an ideal primer to go along with beginners, but also has information relevant to intermediate rodbuilders and presents the current concepts in rodbuilding. Very well illustrated and easy to follow, as these comments keep recurring from this and other sources, as well as from customers who have purchased the book from us. I consider the book an invaluable adjunct to any course, rodbuilding class, or do it yourselfers.

Also don't bypass the Seiders book (the folks at Flex Coat) on Building Fly rods...also easy to follow and most of what you need to know for putting together fly rods.

Several good videos are available previously mentioned, you might want to do a search of the archives here and I'm sure you'll come up with further ideas. The ones by Artie Hebert are especially well put together.

I'm one to think good books are on the horizon in custom rodbuilding as the developments over the years have not been fully addressed in book form, that we often hash about. I'm sure a skilled author could make this an interesting part of our lives in rodbuilding at a higher than beginner level. (hint, Mr. K.?). Further good reads will definitely find a place in my personal library, as well as offering to rod builder customers.

Rich
Richard's Rod & Reel

p.s. a good selection of rodbuilding books and videos are available on-line at www.rodreel.com or inquiry at info@rodreel.com

Rich,
I agree. It seems to me that you would be able to produce an excellent
book. Your both knowledgeable and well written.Give it some thought!
As a side note: Tom's book is a very recent publication and not quite
as dated as some of the others. I would consider investing in more
than just one book. Heck- start a library on rod building. Most of us
have, I think.
Ed / Summer Moon

Thanks John,
Just ordered the Rod-Building Guide, by Tom Kirkman.