Cabela's Rod Building Kits

[thatjohnkid]

Has anyone built rods using any of the Cabela's rod building kits? I'm thinking about asking for one for Christmas. I've never built a rod before. Do I need much more than whats included in these kits? I've always liked making/building things. Don't wanna invest to much money into rod building until I know if I'm going to like it/can do it.

These where the 2 kits I was looking at:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0043070319538a&navCount=5&podId=0043070&parentId=cat20364&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20166-cat20364&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20364&hasJS=true

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0017244316458a&navCount=7&podId=0017244&parentId=cat20364&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20166-cat20364&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20364&hasJS=true

Thanks

[rodtrader]

You may want to check out Mudhole.com and Hookhack.com. Both sell pre-made kits that are little better quality than those your looking at. You can also contact a supplier or custom builder and have them piece one together for with a little better components for not too much more money. Cabelas higher end blanks are nice and they sell a nice array of components but you could do better than whats in those particular kits.

don't be fooled by the IM7 graphite tag. It isn't necessarily a better quality than some IM6 graphite.

[thatjohnkid]

Ok I'll look into the ones at Mudhole. Do I need many other tools/things not included in the kit?

[rodtrader]

Not really it just take a little effort to find examples of you will need on various websites. You can build a wrapper out of a heavy cardboard box with V's cut in it. A thread tensioner can be made using a coffee cup and a heavy book. You might want to consider buying some extra thread finish (threadmaster or flexcoat) because the amount that comes with the kit usually isn't enough.

[HookUp]

If you got some extra cash, buy Cabelas rod tying kit with a wrapper, drying motor and racks. Or buy them separately.

A box will work, rotating the rod after flexcoating w/ a timer works, but if you're realy interested in getting into the hobby, either buy or build a wrapper yourself.