This project was started in the spring of 2008. The actual make began nearly a year later once most of the required tools and cane were in hand.
The fly rod is crafted by hand, but my ShopSmith (combination table saw, drill press, jointer, disk sander, and lathe) has been essential to the work.
The fly rod is crafted by hand, but my ShopSmith (combination table saw, drill press, jointer, disk sander, and lathe) has been essential to the work.
Update: Friday, September 4, 2009
Posted 09-04-2009 at 02:44 PM by Chad
In this post:
1) Final Planing
After a long fishing hiatus, I finally returned to making my first bamboo fly rod. I’m pleased to say, I have officially completed final planing and my rod is ready for glue.
I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the importance of final planing in making bamboo fly rods. Final planing is everything. All the work that comes before final planing is mere prologue. Everything that follows is simply epilogue. This IS the art of handcrafting bamboo fly rods. It is difficult, time consuming, and exacting work. And yet in it, there is the slow and peaceful rhythm of curling bamboo. And when done correctly – producing measurements within +/- one thousandth of an inch – there is a great sense of accomplishment.
Now the typical trend in this blog is to discuss and describe the work in great detail, but honestly, my heart just isn’t in it right now. So sufficit to say, the work is done, the angles and dimensions good, and the project on track to produce a rod I will greatly enjoy fishing. Oh, and if you want more info on final planing, PM me. I have a ton of excellent resources.
Here is a single completed strip from the tip section
And, here are the butt and two tip sections, planed and ready for glue
1) Final Planing
After a long fishing hiatus, I finally returned to making my first bamboo fly rod. I’m pleased to say, I have officially completed final planing and my rod is ready for glue.
I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the importance of final planing in making bamboo fly rods. Final planing is everything. All the work that comes before final planing is mere prologue. Everything that follows is simply epilogue. This IS the art of handcrafting bamboo fly rods. It is difficult, time consuming, and exacting work. And yet in it, there is the slow and peaceful rhythm of curling bamboo. And when done correctly – producing measurements within +/- one thousandth of an inch – there is a great sense of accomplishment.
Now the typical trend in this blog is to discuss and describe the work in great detail, but honestly, my heart just isn’t in it right now. So sufficit to say, the work is done, the angles and dimensions good, and the project on track to produce a rod I will greatly enjoy fishing. Oh, and if you want more info on final planing, PM me. I have a ton of excellent resources.
Here is a single completed strip from the tip section
And, here are the butt and two tip sections, planed and ready for glue
Total Comments 0
