OLD RODS.........

DSRTEGL

Well-Known Member
#1
Don't use them?..........REBUILD THEM to suit YOUR needs.......Not as hard as you might think to replace line guides or even do a complete rebuild.......I can help with questions as can MANY others on this board
 

Reel Newbie

Well-Known Member
#3
For replacing a guide, do you have to buy specific rod wrapping thread and use that expensive rod epoxy? So far I redid a guide on an old uglystik with cannibalized thread and an old guide from a broken rod, finished with spar varnish. Would this hold up in the long run?
 

DSRTEGL

Well-Known Member
#4
REEL NEWBIE........NOPE.......I use Madeira Sewing Thread.....Which is equivalent to a Size A Rodbuilding thread, Dilute White Glue (Elmer's) for Color Preserver, and a 2-part High Build Epoxy Finish from my local Beverly's Crafts for the Finish......You do need to replace lost of damaged guides with guides of the same size and general shape though......
 

mav

Well-Known Member
#5
For replacing a guide, do you have to buy specific rod wrapping thread and use that expensive rod epoxy? So far I redid a guide on an old uglystik with cannibalized thread and an old guide from a broken rod, finished with spar varnish. Would this hold up in the long run?
It should hold up for a couple of years or longer depending on the abuse it takes. I use spar on my cord handles. You could have used 15-20 minute epoxy glue depending how fast you are applying and if you can stand turning the rod for that long, so it doesnt droop and run off. I do it on quick rod repairs.
 

Reel Newbie

Well-Known Member
#6
Well at least it will last a good while, hi’s tackle wanted something like 30 for a single guide job. The rod itself only costed me 5 bucks and I felt it really wasn’t worth fixing it for any more than 10.
 

mav

Well-Known Member
#7
Well at least it will last a good while, hi’s tackle wanted something like 30 for a single guide job. The rod itself only costed me 5 bucks and I felt it really wasn’t worth fixing it for any more than 10.
Yea, I know what you mean. I have a couple of rods that I got for free and I didn't want to redo them. Just did quick repair jobs and they are good to go fishing.

$20-30 is the norm because of the labor involved, color matched n coated.
 
#9
Thread epoxy has been the thing for quite a while now, there was a time when varnish was the thing, you'd put a couple of coats on on the guide threads then from the tip to the butt! rod looked really nice when done and over the course of two or three seasons its time to redo it, thing about the "old school" way is its sooo much easier to tear the rod down and clean it up for the rebuild, epoxy works and looks great, its just a pain during the tear-down. If your wanting to learn the basics, go on U-tube and look at rod wrapping etc. I'm sure ya "young" Dudes can do that better than an old-guy like me,,,I can tell ya that there's nothing like nailing "A" personal best on a rod you did your self!
 

Reel Newbie

Well-Known Member
#10
So in a few seasons the wrap will eventually degrade? How should I touch up on the sag that happened when my varnish didn’t set completely? 9E98A758-F68C-4CF4-8228-22D22F20ABE7.jpeg
 

mav

Well-Known Member
#11
That actually looks pretty good. If you see any areas where the spar is coming off, just recoat and you should be good. The thread starts to decay when exposed to the elements, through cracks n such. Cracks usually open up by the guide foot.

Don't know about fixing the sag. Not sure if you can slightly cut the excess and recoat like epoxy.
 
#12
So, that's your guide repair? Looks pretty good to me, if your using a cardboard box or something to hold the rod, you need to turn the rod 90 or 180 degrees about every couple of minutes or so until the varnish tack's up, you'll see it slideing to the bottom and you just turn the rod a 1/4 turn until it "slides" then turn it again until the varnish has set then let it dry a good 24 hours or more. If and when you start really getting into doing stuff you'll be better off to get a rod wrapping lathe. My Son got one for me a few years back, Before that and after the cardboard set-up I made a "rod holder" from the plastic wheels off of one of those dinner food trays, I still got around somewhere, hope I answered your question.
 

Reel Newbie

Well-Known Member
#13
Dang... every few minutes? I rotated about once every hour, no wonder it set up wierd. Oh well, it was just a little cosmetic thing that bugged me. Otherwise, the rod itself still works and the wrap is holding up well for now.