OK I am building a rod and need lots of help

[triniswordfish]

OK winter blues have set in hardcore and its time to start this project. I got a million questions. I bought a book read it over and i think i can do this
This will be my first rod ever, i am not tryin anything fancy just a simple rod that will probably be worked hard. Gonna be used for 30-50lb reels more 50 than 30. Stand up. Mostly wahoo, tuna etc 50-100lb fish
I am trying to do this cost effectively as this is my first rod so nothing top of the line. Save that for later.
I have a blank, a Pac Bay 50lb
I will be gettin a Pac Bay butt AB2S. Short Butt

NOW here come the questions.
1) What size thread A,B,C,D? I plan on doing an under wrap under the guides. And how much thread would i need?
2) What guides. I would like to use aftco roller guides but what sizes? and where can i buy them as a set including a tip cost effectively? Not looking for anything fancy.
3) What epoxy do I use? and how much do i need?
4) Where can i get a rack from?

Oh man thats all for now I followed Shoefish's thread and it has given me much inspiration.

[Marlinmate]

How long is the blank?
I would use D size thread for the overwrap. "A" can be used on the underwrap. Don't skimp on thread. Once you build one rod, you will be building others.

Aftco Roller Guides are good. You can get them in sets from mudhole.com. Black, gold, chrome etc....depending on length of rod, you will need between 4-5 guides plus tip. Do your research and determine if you want wind ons, regular or big foot. All are different prices and serve different purposes. Figure out tip size of blank and order matching wind on roller tip guide either big or regular.

Rod Bond epoxy for gluing everything together. I use Flexcoat Litebuild (2-3 coats) for finish. My personal preference. For just one rod, you can get by with the smaller size of epoxy.

don't know what a "rack" is unless you are talking about a woman with gigantic nice voluptious ta-ta's and then I can be a big help.

[triniswordfish]

marlinmate i meant a wrapper...hahah might take you up on the rack offer.
i am guessing mudhole as well?
if this does go well i will build some others and make a set
the blank is 5'3" long hope thats about the length i should be looking at?

[CaptLeoNYC]

Idealy a stand up rod should be between 4'11'' -5'6".

[mythosbeer]

I'm a newbie as well. It is addictive though!

You are going to need a rod dryer. Mine is 6rpm's. This is so the finish will dry evenly over your wraps and not run.

I've heard of people not using a wrapper. They put the spool in a bowl or cup behind a chair and sit on the thread for tension while wrapping. You can cut grooves in a cardboard box to hold the rod if you don't want to get the premade ones.

Also, check out all american rollers. They have a lifetime replacement on the bearings and rollers. Yuo can get a set of those or Aftcos in silver for less than $60.

Mitch

[chumtini]

I'll be building my first pair of rods in the up coming weeks with the help of Shoefish. The same Pacbay blanks, butts and guides. Here's the shopping list Shoe gave me for the misc stuff:

Gudebrod Regular Nylon Thread - 1 Oz. Pro Spools Size: D
Gudebrod HT Metallic thread - 1 oz Pro Spools Size: D
Flex Coat High-Build Finish
Flex Coat Rodbuilders Epoxy Glue
Burnishing Tool

Other than that, I can't help much 'cuz this pair will be my first crack at it too. Good luck!!

[jazzrockskier]

Anglers Workshop.com is another source of thread, guides and adhesives and finishes. Check that out. I would use A thread on all over and underwraps. It looks better and works fine. D thread looks like rope, I my opinion. I like U40 rod finsih better than flex coat. I use color preserver on all thread regular and NCP.