Thread: LAKE TEXOMA archives

Just starting to lay out the decorative wrap on a rod for a friend of mine. I previously mentioned the importance of using an expanding glue on the real seat without using masking tape to fill any part of the void between the graphite reel seat and the graphite rod. Using tape to fill portions of the void is essentially installing shock absorbers between the rod and reel seat. The practice of using masking tape while being industry standard lessons the sensitivity of the rod. Therefore the use of masking tape is to save production time making the rod affordable to the consumer but can in no way be considered a practice in the building of a true custom rod. Before I lay out the decorative wrap I will determine guide placement so that all components of the custom rod are placed to be pleasing to the eye. The decorative wrap is usually my choice and I start by finding out the customers favorite two colors and go from there. Most often I will weave the customers name into the decorative wrap if the length of the rod allows.

After getting the diamond spacing correct I then run a thread length ways down the rod at the center of the diamonds to make sure the pattern is straight. Nothing looks worse than a crooked decorative wrap on a custom rod with the exception of a broken rod. The diamonds will tighten as additional threads are placed.