Repair or replace?

[Tambo]

I've an old favourite that needs the guides replaced. The rod is a Silstar PowerTip 1002, a 10ft light surf rod. I've had it for at least 7 years and it's caught everything from bream to bronze whaler.

So:
a) Should I replace the guides myself?
or
b) Get someone else to do it?

I've looked at a few rod building sites and it doesn't look overly difficult. But once you add up the cost of the guides, glue, binding, varnish and the time spent doing it are you better off taking it to a tackle store?

[blackwater]

Unless you are really interested in trying to do the job yourself just take the rod to a tackle shop or a rod builder. Much less hassle and you should be able to get the rod back fairly quickly. You will probably find it cheaper to get a rod builder to do the job as well. It might be cheaper if you were going to start doing a few rods but otherwise let the pro do it.

[Kris]

Tackle store ..............trained professionals that care

[pw-bream]

Replacing the guides on an old rod is a reasonably safe intro to rod building. The only real trouble you are likely to have is removing the old bindings and cleaning back to the blank without damaging the blank and its finish.
The articles last year by Steve Ross (Fishing World) on basic rod building skills would be sufficient to get you going, Ian Miller has also done many excellent articles over the years and some can probably be found on the web.

Nearly all my rods are custom built by myself and they have all turned out fully functional, beauty has increased with experience.

[Ghoti]

Replacing the guides yourself shouldn't be overly expensive.

When my son's rod lost the ceramic insert from a guide he was heartbroken. Tackle store said it wasn't worth repairing. But the kid had saved pocket money for 10 weeks to buy the rod, and had owned it for 5 years - not bad for a 12 year old.

I purchased a bottle of sealer and a bottle of varnish for $4.95 each, a guide for $2.00 and some thread for $5.95. We found an article on the web, and followed it to fix the rod ourselves.

The rod works fine, its even more special now he's fixed it himself, and the experience was worth the $20.

I reckon take it slowly and carefully, and do it yourself.

Cheers,
Scott

[Stuie_02]

Tambo

i would be inclined to have a go myself but if you dont feel confident about doing the guides. Take it to a good fishing shop and get the guides replaced, ask to see some the work that they produce, look at bindings if they are coating in epoxy or done just enough.

have a look at

Mudhole American rod building site

Fuji Tackle nice reciepes

Mudhole Loads of rod building reciepes

Cheers
Stuie

[Tambo]

Thanks for the replies. I'm interested in giving it a go, I'd like to build my own down the track and it's good to have a hobby. I've a mate that's told a few stories about being able to access quality blanks cheaply.

I might get some Fuji Hardloy guides and get started. Though it's not the friendliest interface, www.Rodbuilding.org has some good articles as well.

[Kaisemurangdai]

Tambo,

I have been slowly building a rod for a while now, I am in no hurry just enjoying a new craft. Replacing guides is pretty easy actually. I am just doing my guides at the moment so if I can be of any help just let me know.

Main point is to file them properly so you have a nice ramp for the binding to climb. I will be more than happy to talk you through it if you wish. It doesn't cost much for some Hardloys and role or two of thread and some rod finish.