Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

About Fishing Products including Make Your Own => Build Your Own Fishing Rods => Topic started by: Northern Bass Bum on September 14, 2008, 03:32:19 PM

Title: Shortening A Rod
Post by: Northern Bass Bum on September 14, 2008, 03:32:19 PM
Guys,

I have a 7'6'', Medium/Light rod I'd like to shorten up, to somewhere around 6'8'' to 6'10'' if possible. Right now it's too whippy; "noodle-like", if you will. I think it'd really make a great tube and shakey rod if it was shortened a few inches.

The thing I need to know is how to cut the graphite, rather the tool or tools used to do the cutting. I'm afraid a hack saw will splinter the graphite. Would a Dremel tool work?

Any input will be highly appreciated,

-NBB  :)
Title: Re: Shortening A Rod
Post by: BigBassin144 on September 14, 2008, 03:46:31 PM
Hacksaw should work just fine. As should a Dremel. I used one like this when I cut down my Cabela's rod.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/hacksaw-1.jpg

BB
Title: Re: Shortening A Rod
Post by: stackenem on September 19, 2008, 05:21:14 PM
ceiling fans work just fine. just ask hooksetter,Sorry Willie
Title: Re: Shortening A Rod
Post by: thedude on October 07, 2008, 03:20:14 PM
yeah.. use a dremel w/ a small cut off wheel. cut it right below a guide and your new guide placement (relative to the shorter rod) should still be fine with just adding a tip.

i busted 8" off of a really nice rainshadow rx8 that i built as a finesse jig rod. got the blank for 20$ (retails 120) and it broke when i ran line through it. Now its actually a great small-med sized swim bait rod... just making lemonade i guess.
Title: Re: Shortening A Rod
Post by: Dan on October 07, 2008, 06:39:23 PM
I just had a guy ask me about someone in the Grand Rapids area to do rod repair. Are you interested?
Title: Re: Shortening A Rod
Post by: Hooksetter on October 07, 2008, 09:54:29 PM
Ceiling fans are the preferred method of shortening fishing rods by all serious rodsmiths. The trick is to match the thrust speed to the rotation speed. Also, if the rod is graphite the fan should be in forward. Reverse is only for fiberglass rods. ;)

Willie