HANDCRAFTING TRAVELRODS:  THE 30 DAY BUILD PROCESS

You can choose one of our TravelRods or design your own. Whichever you choose, each is made to order. Our attention to detail in the build process is what truly sets TravelRods apart.

DAY 1. The blank is selected and inspected.

• The predominant spine is located and marked on each rod section only for the purpose of aligning the sections.  The orientation of the blank, which results in the "straightest" line. is identified for the purpose of building the rod.
• The cork for the rear grip is fitted to the blank and adhered.
• The reel seat is fitted to the blank using polyurethane arbors (if necessary) and adhered.
• The cork for the fore grip is fitted to the blank and adhered.
• The slow cure two part epoxy adhesive requires five days to set fully.

DAY 6. The grips are sanded to shape, receive their final sanding and then cork seal is applied. The sealant is allowed to cure for 24 hours.

DAY 7. The blank is assembled and the guides are located on the rod.

• The rod is tension tested and the guides are adjusted for the best possible line support and blank curvature.
• The rod is test cast and any final adjustments to guide location are made.
• The final guide locations are marked and then the guides are removed.
• The guide feet are ground and de-burred in preparation for wrapping.
• The winding check is placed in position.
• The guides are wrapped  with Japanese silk thread and/or Gudebrod nylon thread.
• If selected, then a hook-keeper is added.
• The rod tip is adhered to the blank with two-part epoxy and allowed to rest for 24 hours.

DAY 8. The first coat of color preserver is applied to the wraps and given 48 hours to saturate the thread.

DAY 11. The second coat of color preserver is applied followed by a 24-hour drying period.

DAY 13. The first coat of U-40 Perma Gloss (a pre-catalyzed urethane finish) is applied followed by a 48-hour drying period.

DAY 15. The second coat of U-40 Perma Gloss is applied followed by a 24-hour drying period.

DAY 17. The third coat of U-40 Perma Gloss is applied followed by a 24-hour drying period.

DAY 19. The fourth coat of U-40 Perma Gloss; is applied followed by a 24-hour drying period.

DAY 21. The fifth coat of U-40 Perma Gloss is applied followed by a 24-hour drying period.

Day 23.  The sixth coat of U-40 Perma Gloss is applied followed by a 24-hour drying period.

DAY 25. The label and fish decal is applied and one coat of U-40 Dura Gloss Supreme LITE or HIGH Build (a two-part epoxy based finish) is applied followed by a 48-hour curing period.

DAY 28. U-40 Ferrule Lube is applied and the butt cap is adhered to the rear grip using two-part epoxy, followed by a 24-hour curing period.

DAY 30. The rod is inspected; tension tested and test cast.