Currently reside in San Mateo, CA and have recently started the endeavor of building bamboo rods. My current living situation, a small studio apartment, is not very accomodating for rod making. Anyone interested in joining me on this learning process and wouldn't mind sharing some workspace, please send me a PM.
Hi Colin, I wish I had time. I do have a few cane rods and the interest but it just wouldn't be possible. There are quite a few local makers and some of them self taught I belive. Probably best to hook up with someone like Chris Raine in Dunsmuir first (be a good excuse to go there). I have a couple of other ideas. Send me a pm. Paul (vacaville)
3 culms of bamboo, 2 books, 1 dvd set from wayne cattanach, Stanley 9 1/2 planer, triple beam balance, rough out form, (I am waiting on my final planing forms from Bootstrap to be machined), files, hand sander, small hand torch, table vise, hot air gun.
Mainly the things to get started. I am looking for some easy plans to build a binder and I think I can build the mica strip oven pretty easily(I am an engineer in my professional life).
Some items I need to get sooner than later ...
60 degree center gauge, scraper, and obviously a place to work(my studio is way too small)
Hmmm....I have a couple of scrapers, books of tapers, Golden Witch videos, a bunch of silk and cork and an 8 foot table built just for wrapping rods. Also a mini machine lathe with x/64" ferrule cutters and I have a really expensive wrapper too.
Most important, a 3 car garage with good lighting and a section dedicated to rod building. We just moved so it's not useable just yet. I live over in Sac.
I also have a source for beautiful blanks for $200-$300 (wholesale) from a reputable east coast builder. He uses the Tom Morgan hand mill and his blanks are incredible. My favorite of his rods, that I had to sell but will replace, is a Leonard 38H. 7 foot, four weight 2 piece that casts like a Sage SLT.
Ferruling is the toughest part.
have you considered a 61.5 degree setup so that you get perfect glue lines like the Morgan hand mill? It makes binding easier too.
"have you considered a 61.5 degree setup so that you get perfect glue lines like the Morgan hand mill? It makes binding easier too."
I am not familiar with this. I believe you are referring to a 61.5 degree center gauge for the rough out form. I am at the point where you strip the bamboo to 24-1cm strips. I have not started using the roughing form to get the exact 60 degree angles. This is the next step.
"Ferruling is the toughest part."
Yes, I have seen this in the Wayne Cattanach DVD. It looks like I am going to need an expensive lathe to do this. Not too happy about this
"I also have a source for beautiful blanks for $200-$300 (wholesale) from a reputable east coast builder. He uses the Tom Morgan hand mill and his blanks are incredible. My favorite of his rods, that I had to sell but will replace, is a Leonard 38H. 7 foot, four weight 2 piece that casts like a Sage SLT."
I am trying to cut the middle man out of the picture. That is why I have decided to build my own blanks from scratch.
"Most important, a 3 car garage with good lighting and a section dedicated to rod building. We just moved so it's not useable just yet. I live over in Sac."
Well if you are interested in possibly teaming up in the future to start blanks from scratch, then send me a little more info in a personal message.
