On Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:11:18 -0700, Don46 wrote:

I'm thinking I might treat myself to a new rod this winter and am
considering building my own. I did this 30+ years ago and still have a
very servicable rod built with a Phillips (are they still in
business?) rod blank. I am considering a 4 piece 5wt 9ft Sage Z-Axis,
though I am open to persuasion on that matter. The cost of a kit at
Cabelas and other places is somewhere over $325 vs the cost of a
factory built rod, about $650. Cost is not really the object here.
I'm bit better fixed than I was 30 years ago! I think I would enjoy
the process and knowing I'm fishing with another rod I built
myself.
I'm asking for advice: is the final product going to look like the
factory made rod?

Almost certainly not, but even those finished by pros don't (or, well,
shouldn't) look like factory finished rods. If one desires the look of
a "factory" rod, it's an easy desire to satisfy...

Or is it likely to look home made?

I'll guarantee it'll look "home made" because it IS "home made." Many
of Van Gogh's (or van Rijn's, depending on your tastes) paintings are
"home made"...OTOH, so are Clyde J. Slingass's...your masterpiece may
vary... IAC, if enjoying the process and fishing with something you
finished is the goal, what difference does it make what it looks like?

After all, my
experience is going to be very limited and there is not much room for
experimentation and improvement.

What do you recommend that I consider, besides the Z-Axis, in this
size rod?

I recommend that you reconsider finishing rods until you have truly
decided what you're after...

What tips might you have for a beginner rod builder?

Look up the myriad rod-building tips that have been offered right here
on ROFF and don't wrap your fingers to the blank.

HTH,
R

--Don