6xAdams(Jones)
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😳 (Watching)
I didn't notice if you said before but where/how do you get the bamboo?
Thanks.
I didn't notice if you said before but where/how do you get the bamboo?
Thanks.
Starting a New Rod
- Thread starter JoeE
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JoeE
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- Sep 12, 2006
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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).
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6xAdams(Jones)
Well-known member
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
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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)
Well-known member
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.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
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
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- Sep 12, 2006
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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
Well-known member
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!
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!
