There's been a couple of threads lately that talked about building your own rod. Claims were made that a person could save as much as 50% by building one's own versus buying direct.

Always one to save a buck I investigated the possibility of building a nice float rod using either a Lamiglas or Rainshadow blank. I was pretty much sold on the 10 or 10 1/2 foot model in a medium action. My research concludes that I could build a nice looking rod for about $160 including shipping, equipment, supplies, etc. Not too bad I figure.

So I go to Sportco to look for a book on building rods. While I'm there I figure I go look at some rods to further rationalize on how much money I'll be saving. Imagine my surprise when I find that the Dave Vedder signature model is selling for $155. The Herzog model even cheaper.

How can this be? How can Sportco sell completed rods cheaper than someone like Angler's Workshop, TH, or the Mudhole sell in kit form? I don't understand; can someone clear it up for me?

Sure it would be cool to catch fish on a rod I built, but I'm not going to spend an additional $20-$30 just to realize that.

There's no way I could build a rod for 50% less than factory,unless your comparing a Rainshadow to a Loomis,then maybe. I just added up what it would cost me to build a RS 1264 which is the size and action your looking for. For $125 I can build a 1264 that's wrapped with my choice of thread color,guides,cork and reel seat. I also know that it will be wrapped better and look nicer than a factory rod.
IMHO, if I can build a rod exactly as I want it, for about the same price as a factory rod I'm gonna build my own.

I also have noticed the price of making my own rod isn't exactly saving me any money, but I also agree with HBP, if I can personalize my own rod and make it exactly the way I like then it makes sense to me. I have to say that the more I research building my own rod the more excited I get about it, can't wait.

That's whay you'll be hard pressed to find a "rod builder" who can pay his rent.

From what I hear.. and this is 2nd hand knowledge from those in the biz...Lamiglas has a few "agreements" w/ a few companies to sell their rods pretty cheap.. just in the region I believe.. due to the popularity of rod building among fisher people... out here in the PAc NW
Loomis has yet to do this.. once again from what I hear.. and this may be because of their growing popularity in the mid 1990's. they are selling rods due to their name alone.. as a result of their success , a larger company bought them out... and pretty much eliminating the blank sales from Loomis...
I can't save you money on a factory Lamiglas or Loomis.. I can offer a better built rod, and one that is built to your specs..

We are truly lucky to have choices in the Pacific NW.. there are blank man. out ther that saw a need for a great quality, affordable blank.. one that compete wit hthe higer end factory rods..

I called Angler's Workshop and asked them why their supplies added up to more than a finished rod, and they told me that Lamiglas made them agree to sell the blanks for a certain price. I was told that is commom practice with other suppliers as well.

So it sounds like TH is right on about the agreement Sportco has with Lamiglas as well. Plus it probably doesn't hurt that Sportco employs someone that has a signature rod named after him from Lamiglas.

HBP-- where did you price your supplies from? I really would like to build my own rod, but I have to justify it monetarily.

i heard that loomis was sold to shimano? any truth to this? wheres the most resonable place to purchase a rainshadow blank? im lookin at the 1264 or 1265....

goharley...I have a catalog from Greg's custom rods in Lake Stevens.

RS IST1264F 10'6", 10-17lb,mod action,med power. $90.71

St.Croix handle kit, cork handles,graphite reel seat,graphite arbors,rubber butt cap,winding checks. $23.00

guides, 10 plus tip. $8.06

spool size "A" thread. $1.85

Total for me to build this rod is $123.62

It will cost you a little more because you'll need epoxy for the handle,reel seat which is $7.98 and some finish for the threads which is $10.50. If you decide to build more rods,the epoxy and thread finish will do about three rods and the thread will do at least two.

At a total cost of $142.10 you'll still be ahead of the Lamiglass price.

BB75....I heard the same thing,and I'm sure it's true. In the 2002/2003 Loomis catalog,they have a picture of the Pres. of Loomis, guess what his name is....Toyo Shimano.

Yes Loomis is owned by Shimano. The big fish will always eat the smaller one.

Bob