What do you recommend that I consider, besides the Z-Axis, in this
size rod?
What tips might you have for a beginner rod builder?

--Don

Don,
Consider visiting Rodbuilding.org for awhile. You'll find that you
can come up the learning curve faster with the advice of individuals
on that site. In addition, you'll find that there are quite a few
reasonably priced blanks (as little as one third the price) that
perform as well as some of the well known finished rods out there.
Jeff