Rod building components

Reel 224 · January 05, 2016, 12:20:00 AM

I have a question for those members who build fishing rods. Where do you get rod building components from? I have used Mud Hole and frankly I don't like dealing with them.

I'm having a problem finding cork split grips for a blank measures .825" @ the butt end & .730" @ the Butt grip area & .700 @ the fore grip. I should mention I want I want one piece not pieces of cork.

Joe

sdlehr · January 05, 2016, 01:22:55 AM

Quote from: Reel 224 on January 05, 2016, 12:20:00 AM
Where do you get rod building components from? I have used Mud Hole and frankly I don't like dealing with them.
Joe

I hear you, Joe. I don't really like dealing with them, either, but their selection is better than anyone else's. The only other option I have personal experience with is Get Bit Outdoors at www.getbitoutdoors.com I haven't had great experiences with them, either.... they've managed to mess up all three of my past orders in one way or another - omitted items, backorders, etc. I've gone back to Mudhole because they get every order right the first time.

Maxed Out · January 05, 2016, 01:24:39 AM

Around here everyone goes to one guy, Gregs custom rods in Lake Stevens. If he doesn't have it, he can get it.....and yep, it's Greg who usually answers the phone. I sold a friend a new 80VSW and he made his own rod with components from Greg.

www.gregscustomrods.com

alantani · January 05, 2016, 01:39:53 AM

jon vadney.....

Reel 224 · January 05, 2016, 03:28:06 AM

Alan: I know John sells components, I bought the rod blank from him. But I didn't think he handled everything. Ill PM Him>

Joe

cbar45 · January 05, 2016, 05:55:09 AM

Joe ,

I will check my notes as well as vendor/manufacturer catalogs, (Jannsnetcraft, Angler's Resource, Angler's Workshop, and a few others), as I'm not certain any of them carry cork grips in those sizes...Largest bore I remember seeing was probably .500"- .650" or so...Bores of .750" and larger show up on the big auction site from time to time, but few and far between...Part of the problem is that the larger cork rings are getting harder to find as cost rises and demand for cork (of that size) drops...If the OD of the shaped grip is large enough, you just might have some leeway to ream out a .500" ID grip to fit...Will keep you posted..

Chad

cbar45 · January 05, 2016, 12:41:45 PM

Found these at Angler's Workshop...It will take some doing, but the larger .400" and .500" sizes can be reamed out to your specs and still have adequate sidewall thickness...If you don't have a reamer over .750", it's possible to make your own using strips of belt sander abrasive, old rod blanks, and contact cement..

Chad

Reel 224 · January 05, 2016, 02:22:50 PM

Quote from: cbar45 on January 05, 2016, 12:41:45 PM
Found these at Angler's Workshop...It will take some doing, but the larger .400" and .500" sizes can be reamed out to your specs and still have adequate sidewall thickness...If you don't have a reamer over .750", it's possible to make your own using strips of belt sander abrasive, old rod blanks, and contact cement..

Chad

Chad: Presciently I have no reamers as I haven't had to install cork grips on rod that I built in the past, I user EVA in the past. But can buy a reamer set. I am building this rod for my wife and she picked out cork grips, soooo I'm trying to accommodate her.

What catalog are you showing?

Joe

STRIPER LOU · January 05, 2016, 04:12:01 PM

Hey Joe, hope you and Ruth are doing well. If you need to ream out cork you can throw together a make shift reamer easily. Start with a wood dowel smaller than the size you need. Wrap it tightly with masking tape to produce a small taper. Then glue and wrap some emery strips around the outside in a tight spiral wrap fashion. Put it in the electric drill and its good to go! Its a little crude but it works and will save you bucks.
I do build some rods here on occasion but I keep mine plain and simple. Its not that I abuse them but they do get well used.
There's a bunch of guys here that build some really beautiful stuff. Amazing craftsmanship! Maybe someday I'll take a crack at a fancy one but the big problem is time and then the old eyesight isn't what it use to be!
All the best, .. Lou

Reel 224 · January 05, 2016, 07:18:20 PM

Quote from: STRIPER LOU on January 05, 2016, 04:12:01 PM
Hey Joe, hope you and Ruth are doing well. If you need to ream out cork you can throw together a make shift reamer easily. Start with a wood dowel smaller than the size you need. Wrap it tightly with masking tape to produce a small taper. Then glue and wrap some emery strips around the outside in a tight spiral wrap fashion. Put it in the electric drill and its good to go! Its a little crude but it works and will save you bucks.
I do build some rods here on occasion but I keep mine plain and simple. Its not that I abuse them but they do get well used.
There's a bunch of guys here that build some really beautiful stuff. Amazing craftsmanship! Maybe someday I'll take a crack at a fancy one but the big problem is time and then the old eyesight isn't what it use to be!
All the best, .. Lou

Lou: Looks like I'm going to go to the EVA I fellow rod builder is offering me red grips. I can build a set of reamers out of dowels as you suggested for the future. I may still build cork grips out of cork rings I'm undecided right now. I want to build a nice rod for Ruth.

Joe

Newell Nut · January 05, 2016, 07:51:04 PM

I get most of my components for http://www.getbitoutdoors.com/components.html

cbar45 · January 06, 2016, 01:45:50 AM

Quote from: Reel 224 on January 05, 2016, 02:22:50 PM

Chad: Presciently I have no reamers as I haven't had to install cork grips on rod that I built in the past, I user EVA in the past. But can buy a reamer set. I am building this rod for my wife and she picked out cork grips, soooo I'm trying to accommodate her. What catalog are you showing?

Joe

Joe,

That catalog is from Angler's Workshop...I have been ordering from them for few years now, and no problems other than the occasional out-of-stock item...(Doesn't happen often and they have always been prompt to notify me)...Here is the website:

http://www.anglersworkshop.com/

SoCalAngler · January 06, 2016, 02:15:48 AM

I don't build rods but I know some who do and locally they get stuff here sometimes http://www.acidrod.com/index.html

Just another option for you rod builders to look at.

Marlinmate · January 06, 2016, 02:42:02 AM

You can try the Rod Room in Alabama. CBAR hit the nail right between the eyes. Cork is getting harder and harder to find, especially good cork and especially good cork that has an OD large enough to accommodate .825 diameter.

As you have found...getting supplies and keeping them in stock is difficult. Most of all rod building components are manufactured over seas. If there is an issue abroad, or during shipping....stores here in the US run out.

I've got accounts with most of the US based suppliers. Just placed an order with Mudhole, and they had 99% of my items. The one item I needed (Fuji tip Top...on a very popular Penn Rod)...they did not have. One call to getBit Outdoors...and they had it (ugh...additional shipping).

Wish I had better answers for yah or some better guidance.

Reel 224 · January 06, 2016, 03:40:29 AM

Quote from: cbar45 on January 06, 2016, 01:45:50 AM
Quote from: Reel 224 on January 05, 2016, 02:22:50 PM

Chad: Presciently I have no reamers as I haven't had to install cork grips on rod that I built in the past, I user EVA in the past. But can buy a reamer set. I am building this rod for my wife and she picked out cork grips, soooo I'm trying to accommodate her. What catalog are you showing?

Joe

Joe,

That catalog is from Angler's Workshop...I have been ordering from them for few years now, and no problems other than the occasional out-of-stock item...(Doesn't happen often and they have always been prompt to notify me)...Here is the website:

http://www.anglersworkshop.com/

Already booked marked that site this morning, thank you. You have been a big help.

Joe