Starting a New Rod

[6xAdams(Jones)]

😳 (Watching)
I didn't notice if you said before but where/how do you get the bamboo?
Thanks.

 

[JoeE]

I have one culm left from Charles Demerest (out of business), but i will have to order some culms in the near future and will get them from Anglers Bamboo Company.

 

[JoeE]

Just going to put in an hour or so tonight, working on the strip I need to catch up on. But looking through my components and the reel seat I wanted to put on this rod the bore might be a little tight so I have to order another reel seat. I have plenty of reel seat but I do like this Bellinger seat rosewood burl. I’ll have to see if Mike McFarland has any because he took over Bellinger (they retired).

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Just going to put in an hour or so tonight, working on the strip I need to catch up on. But looking through my components and the reel seat I wanted to put on this rod the bore might be a little tight so I have to order another reel seat. I have plenty of reel seat but I do like this Bellinger seat rosewood burl. I’ll have to see if Mike McFarland has any because he took over Bellinger (they retired).

I took a look at Bellinger's website, and they have a lot of cool stuff. One could really head down a deep rabbit hole with this activity. and that's before a project is even started.

 

[JoeE]

Not every rod I make has an 80 dollar reel seat and 25 dollar 4A cork grip! Most of the Rods I build, one piece cheap 25 dollars worth of components plus bamboo and 2 piece rods 100 dollars plus bamboo. But if you have deep pockets there are some super good looking and high quality components for sale.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Not every rod I make has an 80 dollar reel seat and 25 dollar 4A cork grip! Most of the Rods I build, one piece cheap 25 dollars worth of components plus bamboo and 2 piece rods 100 dollars plus bamboo. But if you have deep pockets there are some super good looking and high quality components for sale.

I had already made my way through the price differences in components a few months after I started making rods. The cool stuff I was talking about was all the tooling for splitting/cutting/scraping the bamboo. I'd never be able to hide that stuff from my Honey.

 

[JoeE]

Sometimes you can fine a deal on used equipment/tools on some of the bamboo forums.

 

[Bamboozle]

Sometimes you can fine a deal on used equipment/tools on some of the bamboo forums.

Good suggestion because I know more than a few folks (myself included) who bailed on the idea of making bamboo rods and are looking to sell what they've collected to date.

Fortunately in my case, the idea never got beyond buying a few books. 😉

Speaking of books, my interest was before the days when more or less everything needed was available for purchase. In those days I approached a machinist friend about fabricating me a set of planing forms based on the info in the Garrison/Carmichael book, "A Master's Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod."

I don't know if that is a less expensive option versus ready built stuff, but it is an option and the plans are in the book. I also heard from more than a few folks a good plane is a must and something you MAY find at flea markets.

Speaking of the Garrison book and your heat treatment oven; many moons ago I visited a bamboo builder whose name escapes me with a shop outside of Macungie, PA. My only knowledge at that time was the Garrison and the George Barnes books and a friendship with Hoagy.

I was surprised that this guy used a simple length of rigid pipe with end caps and a propane torch to temper his strips which after reading the Garrison book made at least part of the process less intimidating.

In addition, his "varnish dip tank" was made of PVC and an old fishing reel and didn't involve staircases and a Victrola or small electric motors... 😉

Nice set up you have there, Joe!!

 

[JoeE]

Thanks, I started in 94 and thought about making my own forms but bought a set of forms for $425 (Colorado bootstrap) and built my binder and oven. I did buy a Lie-Nielsen 212 scraper and a Stanley 9 1/2 bock plane and hock blades (these are a must). A culm of bamboo was only $35 and now $65. I always watch the bamboo forums for things. I picked up a new binder ($200.00) and a used set of Quad ($350) and Hex forms. Myself personally, I would like a Morgan Handmill but $5,000+ (I don’t think so). But if you make rods for a living and can make Hex, Quads and Penta’s that is the way to go. I love books to and have a few in my collection 😊. I have met many rod makers over the years and talked to several on the phone for hours. I don’t talk too much but I listen, if you can get them talking the information and knowledge is priceless. Some rod markers are tight lipped, and I can understand why. I also dip my rods in the staircase in a PVC pipe but did build a drying cabinet.

 

[Bamboozle]

Pre-order, I also visited Wyatt Dietrich's shop when he was building rods under the "Dreamcatcher" name. Nice shop and nice guy!! The PC & software he used to tweak tapers was very interesting.

The Morgan Handmill always fascinated me because I had a few conversations with Tom and I'm a big fan of his rod tapers. I was really surprised it is still available after his passing.

Keep up the good work!

 

[JoeE]

I finished the butt section tonight and had to fix a few more things along the way (that is normal) but I’m very happy with the measurements and straightness before gluing. My reel seat that I was going to use is out. I will have to order one or see if I have one on hand that will work. So far I’m pleased. I’m thinking it will squeeze into my bag as a favorite 😄.

 

[JoeE]

Sorry, no updates. My wife had to have emergency surgery last month, and the lab results were not what we expected. She is scheduled for another surgery later this month, but the outcome will be a positive one. I did buy some culms of bamboo and overspent my rod building (components) allowance at Proof Fly Fishing, I never ordered anything from them so I figured I would give them a try. When things settle down over the next several weeks, I will get back on my project rods. If I get a chance, I will take a photo of my order I bought several real seats, cork grips, snake guides and some agate stripper guides. They had a Ritz grip and some others I wanted to try.

 

[JimNovo]

Sorry, no updates. My wife had to have emergency surgery last month, and the lab results were not what we expected. She is scheduled for another surgery later this month, but the outcome will be a positive one. I did buy some culms of bamboo and overspent my rod building (components) allowance at Proof Fly Fishing, I never ordered anything from them so I figured I would give them a try. When things settle down over the next several weeks, I will get back on my project rods. If I get a chance, I will take a photo of my order I bought several real seats, cork grips, snake guides and some agate stripper guides. They had a Ritz grip and some others I wanted to try.

I love Proof Fly Fishing!
Great components and Matt always answers your questions quickly!! I bought my components from Proof for my two rod build projects this winter.

 

[JoeE]

I had a few hours since my last post and had some natural or blonde strips ready to start planning so when I couldn’t sleep I would go down and work on them a 7’9” 4 wt. it worked out okay and finished the strip out and had 2 hour on Monday and glued them. I still have an hour or 2 sanding and another hour or two to straighten them. But thinking ahead what do you think about the cork and reel seat I’m thinking about using. Joe E

 

[JoeE]

My son had hockey tonight and Amy took him because she will miss the next several months and I took advantage of the 3 hours and glued up the 7’9” 3wt Quad and finished the outside Christmas decorations. Unfortunately gluing can be messy 16 hours air drying and then I will heat set in the oven.

 

[JoeE]

Amy’s chemotherapy when better than expected for day 2 (1 down of 6 treatments ) got her and the dogs to bed and slipped downstairs. I have a lot of sanding and straightening to do but pulled out the cork and reel seats and stripper agates that I’m thinking of using. I usually use red agates and have a few but went with these. The snake guides I don’t know if I’m going with blackened or blued. I have the 9’ 4wt to glue and the other 2 to sand and straighten but when I get the blanks ready I can work at the kitchen table.

 

[JoeE]

Bad night! Day 3 Chemotherapy not so good. Got family settled. Glued the 9’ 4wt quad and worked on preparing the next 2 rods 😄 (busywork). Got everybody up went to church and now just going to finish some of the Christmas decorations that I have left and take a nap 😄.

 

[JoeE]

I received this agate in the mail yesterday it will go on the blonde rod with all nickel silver hardware.

 

[JoeE]

Finished sanding but I will QC everything again and it should be ready to start wrapping. This will all be nickel silver hardware and snake brand guides and tip top.

 

[flyguyfishing]

Rods are looking great.

Thanks for sharing the process. Hope your wife is feeling better soon.