NFC 736 MB X-Ray Spinning Rod Build

When production rods are not enough, it's time to go custom. Come share your experiences building and/or ordering a custom rod and tell us if you'll ever go back to off the shelf.
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HobeyBaker
Elite Angler
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Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:20 pm

NFC 736 MB X-Ray Spinning Rod Build

Post by HobeyBaker » Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:33 am

I thought it may be helpful for beginners if I documented my build.

Components
NFC 736 MB X-Ray
American Tackle CCT Dagger with ULH Hood
Cork foregrip and locking nut
American Tackle G2 carbon fighting butt with 3k insert and cork composite
Torzite Guide Train and Tip Top - 25H, 12H, 7M, 6L, 5.5 (5 running guides)

The first step was to find the spine the blank and I marked it with my China pencil.

The second step was to cut the butt's cork so I could ream it and make it fit. I used a razor blade to cut the cork. The butt of the blank is fairly large and I was worried that the cork's diameter was not large enough. It ended up barely being large enough. I used rod bond to epoxy everything back together.
Attachments
0CB16F0B-B601-4425-89D8-B2CF63F09744.jpeg
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HobeyBaker
Elite Angler
Elite Angler
Posts: 664
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:20 pm

Re: NFC 736 MB X-Ray Spinning Rod Build

Post by HobeyBaker » Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:59 am

This morning I epoxied the grips to the handle and reamed it to fit the blank. I used graphite arbors and will need to make a small tape arbor towards the butt since the taper of the blank doesn't match up with the reamer.

I am going for the same type of handle and grip as a Steez MML 7'6 AGS. I measured the spacing on the Steez to see where the handle will go. If you look close, you will see the China pencil marks. I don't think I am going to use winding checks since there is a very minimal gap. I'll make wrap winding checks if I change my mind.
Attachments
9831C8A6-9A4A-4E4F-8FB6-50C032EC1549.jpeg
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HobeyBaker
Elite Angler
Elite Angler
Posts: 664
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:20 pm

Re: NFC 736 MB X-Ray Spinning Rod Build

Post by HobeyBaker » Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:19 pm

I got the handle epoxied to the blank. I am also building a casting rod utilizing the new G2 carbon split grips and Mudhole sent me the spinning rod version. Their customer service took care of it fairly easy and is sending me the casting rod version.

HobeyBaker
Elite Angler
Elite Angler
Posts: 664
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:20 pm

Re: NFC 736 MB X-Ray Spinning Rod Build

Post by HobeyBaker » Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:22 pm

I used the 27x method to space the choker guides. I'm using a 4000 size Daiwa Tatula LT so the choker guide was placed 1377 mm (27 X 51mm) from the tip of the spool. I like using these tiny rubber bands to place guides.

I also sealed the cork with U40. The cork is a really low grade and I wish I would have went with the EVA foam option.
Attachments
8500907C-FB6A-495B-ADD0-5AB526B1CA26.jpeg
8500907C-FB6A-495B-ADD0-5AB526B1CA26.jpeg (32.54 KiB) Viewed 2913 times

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