Sources?

[Greymuzzle]

Besides the wonderful local shops, have any of you fine folks found any catalogs or online sources to be helpful in getting components and supplies? I'm new to this rod building thing, and like any enthusiastic newcomer, I'm greedy for knowledge and sources of information. And like any complete gear-freak, I am always looking for the coolest stuff!

[Stoney Clarke]

Go to the main page and click on resources. You will find a plethora of information.

[Norm]

What ya looking for? If you are looking for high end parts and pieces, reel seats, guides, cork, thread, (not blanks) I've god some good links, also every once in a while people will get a bulk orders together, keep an eye out for them.

Norm

[Greymuzzle]

You nailed it. Those high-end things just get me all aquiver. Any likes you can send me will be cherished and clicked upon!

[Norm]

http://www.snakeguides.com/

Best snake guides in the world, no contest. Perfect out of the box, no need to dress or bend the feet to sit flat. Excellent guides for clear translucent wraps. If you want a special touch, buy the agate strippers, again second to none. Mike McCoy the owner is a great craftsman with local ties, not as cheap as the "wal-marts" of guides like pac-bay or fuji but you get what you pay for. I have done orders with him in the past and usually can get a discounted rate.

Real Seats:

http://www.jimbureau.com/index.htm
Traditional sliding bands with top notch wood inserts.
Check out the Box Elder Burl, Beautiful! When I saw his reel seats I went out and bought some Burls and a lathe mandrel to start turning my own.

http://www.genuinebellinger.com/
Another top notch maker of reel seats. Bellinger does have the uplocking seats that have become a standard for the graphite builders. With Bellinger selection of wood spacers your able to design something special for you rods.

http://www.billballanreels.com/
This link has nothing to do with building but wouldn’t it be nice to finish a rod off with one of those reels!

http://www.venneris.com/
http://pages.prodigy.net/pumpkin10/about.html
Another Two sites with great reel seats.

http://www.cdtradinginc.com/
Top notch cork. Great guy to work with.

http://www.goldenwitch.com
These guys have lots of interesting stuff. I put them low on my list for personal reasons I won't get into but I do look at there site for ideas.

Of course you can go with the old ho hum standbys like REC components and MudHole, but the folks I've listed above are craftsmen and small business owners and I prefer to spend my money with them .

Norm