Just curious. I have been building synthetic rods for several years and always wanted to venture into bamboo building. I have Wayne Cattanach's book and video. I believe it is a craft I would enjoy. The problem is, the startup cost. Just wondering if I am going to try one rod, what equipment is absolutely neccesary to buy and what can I "make-do". I usually always profess "you gotta have the right tools to do it right", which I still do, but to get ALL the right tools for spliting bamboo can get into several thousand $ quick. My current intention is as I continue to make $ building synthetics to take that a purchase new equipment for bamboo. This is what I have done with all my current rodbuilding equipment. Also, this helps me get it by "momma" as a needed item.
I realize this could be a very long list of items, but if someone could help me out , I would appreciate it. What about ovens? Don't see many for sale, is there an easy "homemade" one. I have seen a few plans using a good quality heat gun and HVAC duct. Any other suggestions? What about planning and roughing forms? Build em', or buy the cheaper hardwood ones to start? Binders, are the absolutely necessary for just trying out one rod? Homemade version, or buy one? Ect...ect...ect..
Thanks in advance.
Elrod

Elrod,
Advice to folks wanting to build a cane rod often get specific about must have tools, and costs for those tools. Before I had the time, money, and courage to build my own cane rods I bought and collected every article and book on the subject I could find. (started collecting info in the 60's) From all this info I started collecting and building tools, etc. It took me a long time to get everything together that all the books said I needed to do the job right. My efforts would have taken far less time (given the time, money and courage, -courage may be the wrong term here but I had a hard time believing I could ever plane a tip strip that when the 6th's are put together measure 4.5/64'ths) if I knew then what I've learned since.
Rather than recommend specific tools and costs, I'd advise you to buy a book. The recently published "Bamboo, Fact, Fiction and Flyrods" by R.E. Milward has excellent advice on simple tools and construction methods in the back of the book. This isn't a book that I'd generally recommend as it contains a lot of information that's too technical and confusing for a beginner, but Mr. Milwards instructions in the appendice, titled "The Easiest and Most Economical Way to Your First Rod" is probably just what you're looking for.
Winston Binney

Jon,,Probably a lot of people have mulled this thing over in their minds, and wondered if it was worth the effort to build the tools necessary to make a cane rod from scratch. Certainly I have, and it took me three years just to make up my rabbit#@* mind. As with so many before me, a major concern was "did I have enough tools and the talent to make the equipments necessary to do the job". The tools(probably not). The talent (probably not also). Was I going to give it a go (@#$%& yes). I decided that the availability of tools would determine which of the needed items I could make and which I'd have to buy or have made. With a table saw, router, drill press and jointer along with their respective accessories (and some nuts, bolts, wood,etc) one can make the tools needed to build a cane rod and a (couple/three) hundred $ should cover the cost of the misc out of pocket expenses. (The cost of a culm of cane and rod hardware not included). One should also decide,in advance, wheather or not his first rod will be nodeless or not. If so, a "GOOD" scarfing block is a requirement. (Im' trying to design a better one).Probably 2 planes should be available (9 1/2 Stanley or similar). @#$%& has them for sale frequently for around $20. BTW, if you are wondering what the jointer is for, it (can/may) be used to taper your maple planing forms. I hope you will get into this up to your arm pits so we will have another voice with new thoughts and eager to share their experiences. Don

Elrod;
Make everything you can yourself, forms, binders, ovens can all be made at home. Use your imagination and don't be a slave to what you read, your own brain is your best rodmaking tool. Be Warned! It most likely won't end with just one rod or a few simple tools. Best O Luck
john

Jon,

You really don't have to spend a fortune. My first rod cost as much for components as it did in tools. When you do buy something, buy good stuff as has been suggested already. I know all three of the guys who have posted so far, and none of them will steer you wrong.

Check out the articles Russ Gooding and Bernie Elser wrote in Rodmaker Magazine. You already have a copy of Wayne Cattanach's book, so you're on your way there. Might want to pick up Jack Howell's book as well. And I'm in the middle of writing a series of articles for www.globalflyfisher.com

Tell you what, next time I come up your way I'll bring an old set of wooden planing forms that you can keep as long as you like. Will trade for a day trip to that little secret creek you and I discussed before!

Harry Boyd