Explorer 2/3wt Classic build

[dpammenter]

DISCLAIMER - THIS IS NOT A "HOW TO BUILD A ROD" THREAD. I AM A COMPLETE BEGINNER, HAVING NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. I AM RELYING ON ADVICE AND COMMENTARY FROM OTHER MORE EXPERIENCED PEOPLE. THIS THREAD IS THUS MERELY TO TRACK THE PROGRESS OF THIS PROJECT AND FOR YOUR INTEREST AND COMMENTS. [thanks go to Shaun]

hi All,

there's been a lot of talk about rod building, so i figured i'd give it a bash. this is obviously not going to be a quick process, but if you have the patience and you're willing to stick around through the tasks ahead, i'd appreciate it. any comments/criticism along the way are more than welcome.

this is my first build, so i'm not expecting much. i've gone against the idea of buying the best you can afford from the start. i've bought cheap. this time round i'm just looking to gain the experience before i splash out and spend far too much money on the nicer products. it's at this point i'd like to add that i do agree with some of the other forum members that buying the best you can afford, even if it's over a longer period of time, is probably the best way to do it - not the way i've chosen. however, i know there may be a few readers that will agree with the idea of buying cheap initially to gain experience. ultimately the choice is yours when you decide to build your rod.

hope you all enjoy this thread
i look forward to your comments

cheers,
Devlin


[oh yes, please excuse the non-professional photography. i'll do my best]

[dpammenter]

a few details on the products i've bought:

blanks:
some time back i managed to get my hands on Explorer classic blanks. it is the 7'6 2/3 weight 2 piece rod. (now i know there are a few of you who have your reservations about this particular brand, but this thread is NOT about fishing the rod, rather building it) - cost approx R135

grip:
a preformed half-wells cork grip - cost approx R65

reel seat:
i don't know the manufacturer, but it also cost around R65


others:
Fuji Hook Keeper
TiCH Tip Top (size 3.5)
TiCH Single-foot guides (size 3 & 4)
[still waiting for the correct stripping guide]
Gudebrod Standard Nylon Winding Thread
Gudebrod Color Preserver (for the feather inlay)
Rod Marking Gel Pen
Flex Coat Cups And Sticks (to mix epoxies)
Nickel Silver Winding Check
- cost approx R670

remember that some of the costs involved will be once-off, or will last for a few builds (the epoxies, for eg should last about 4 builds)

[dizzy]

Dev

Did you get the blank from Jandi? What is the availability of the blanks and approximate price range?

*** Sorry, I'm just a bit slow

[ShaunF]

What epoxies are you going to use to (a) assemble everything and (b) cover the wrappings ?

[dpammenter]

Darryl,

the blanks did indeed come from Jandi, but it seems like they are no longer offering blanks to prople. you can check with Sean at Flywaters (021)949-1119

Shaun,

epoxies:
pratleys 5min epoxy - for gluing the reel seat together
Flex Coat Rod Builders Epoxy - rod assembly
Flexcoat Rod Wrapping Lite Finish - rod wraps
(included in cost above)

[dpammenter]

last night was a bit of prep-work as well as the assembly of the reel seat.

i've made 2 separate stands to rest the blanks on while doing whatever it is that i'll need to do. for some odd reason, i decided to make 2 separate ones and not one piece.

went to the local hardware store and got a few offcuts for R35 and built two stands like so:





i'm sure they'll do the trick. i still need to make the stand for the rod turning motor

[ShaunF]

Devlin, are you going to hand wrap using those stands ? I don't see anywhere designed to hold the bobbin ?

[dpammenter]

and then it was on to the reel seat...

didn't take too much effort, but a little advice if i may - assemble your reel seat, disassemble, re-assemble, keep repeating until you KNOW how it fits together. know where each piece fits onto/into the other. check and re-check where your glue is going to go - cos if you make a mistake with 5 min epoxy, you're going to have a hassle

here are the components of my reel seat



and here's the seat assembled - before glue



the only component that required glue was the threaded section that fits over the wood insert

[dpammenter]

Devlin, are you going to hand wrap using those stands ? I don't see anywhere designed to hold the bobbin ?

yes, i'm going to hand wrap. i've played around with both hand wrapping and using some sort of thread tensioning system, but prefer the hand wrapping method

[ShaunF]

yes, i'm going to hand wrap. i've played around with both hand wrapping and using some sort of thread tensioning system, but prefer the hand wrapping method

Cool ! Roger Baert doesn't even use any type of stand when he wraps. He tucks the rod section under his arm and off he goes ! Not recommended for someone with 2 left hands and 5 thumbs like me !!