[gpt46]

Are there any tricks to lining up guides on a blank ?

 

[Goags]

No real tricks that I know of. I sight down the blank w/ the guides on top AND w/ the guides on the bottom, against a white background(my wall). I don't use any CP until they're right, and ck 'em again before I start the finish.
Jerry

 

[gpt46]

That's pretty much what I do, I was hoping someone had an easer way.

Thanks

 

[Putter Parpart]

I think that it's important, as Goags (Jerry) said, to look at it once again later on.

While playing with them and moving them around, sometimes my eyes just lock onto something as being right and I then get the rest off with the one that I've decided is correct. Sometimes, I just don't get it right that first time through.

But by setting it aside, and then coming back later and re-looking it over with a fresh set of eyes, it seems that I do get it right each time and am happy with the job I've done.

 

[Charlie2]

Aligning Guides

I run a line from the reel to the tiptop. I then tighten up the line until there is a slight bend in the rod. The line will pull the guides into alignment. You may have to 'help' them a little.

My Dad used to do this by picking up the rod with the line. It definitely pulled them straight!

I saw somewhere that someone used an old colored flyline for this to help matters.C2

 

[SureSetman]

Also remember that everyone has a dominant eye and that the reel seat is perfectly level. I agree with Putter as well, a fresh look is always best.

 

[Silverfox1]

You can take a 1 X 2 and set it on the kitchen counter and lay the flat part of the reelseat on it (trigger up) then stand directly over the guides as you wiggle them back and forth. I have done many rods this way.

 

[apslp]

I learned this trick playing pool and then had it reconfirmed on a rodbuilding video I saw. I have mounted above my rod table 2 long shoplights, When looking at the rod while it is on the bench you will see a dominant line the length of the rod. I will line that line up with the reelseat and go from there checking the line with the guide I just wrapped. After they are all done just double check like said in the other posts and 95% of the time it is right on.