How G.Loomis Rods are Made - A Behind the Scenes Look

[Cal]

How G.Loomis Rods are Made – A Behind the Scenes Look at the Factory’s Secret Sauce



Introduction: The rod business has changed a great deal over the years with increasing emphasis put on material types and component options, but the actual manufacturing process for many rod builders continues to be a very manual process, one that still involves some good old fashioned craftsmanship. There are not many rod manufacturers that still build all of their rods here domestically and premium rod brand G.Loomis is one of those companies on the short list that is still designing and manufacturing rods stateside. G.Loomis agreed to open their doors for a behind the scenes look at their entire manufacturing process and we headed to their headquarters in Woodland, Washington to see firsthand just how the company builds their rods.

Complete Article: http://tackletour.com/reviewgloomisfactory.html

[mike_honcho]

This was a very informative article and never really knew the work that goes into making rods. One thing I don't get is once the graphite is taken off the mandrel doesn't that mean the rod core is hollow? I'm sure I am missing something, if someone would be so kind to enlighten me.

[Zander]

This was a very informative article and never really knew the work that goes into making rods. One thing I don't get is once the graphite is taken off the mandrel doesn't that mean the rod core is hollow? I'm sure I am missing something, if someone would be so kind to enlighten me.

Hi Mike_Honcho, yes, most modern day fishing rods are hollow, the challenge is to construct rods that deliver a balance of low overall weight, improved sensitivty, and durability. The mandrel is used in the production process to create the hollow blank from the base graphite material. There are however some rods that are solid, most of these make use of a carbon core material. The advantage of a solid rod can be increased durability but the disadvantage is increased weight.

[mike_honcho]

Thanks, Zander I find it very impressive that most blanks have a hollow core and can withstand the kind of pressure fisherman put on them. Well, I definately feel enlightened.

[USA-RET]

Great article and a great company.

[Gideon]

Great writeup, really interesting stuff. I think its awesome that Shimano decided to keep G.Loomis here in the USA, I'm all for buying the best products out there wherever the origin is but I'm even more for buying the best products made right here in the US.

Really found it cool how each stage of the buiding process required an actual human to do something on the rod. I guess I sort of envisioned a bunch of robots moving prodcts down a line in some sort of mass production enviorment.

[Shimano-Or-Nothing]

wish I could look at it. for some reason my computer won't pull up the home page, it only pulls up the forum pages.

[Mossy Oak]

Pretty cool stuff, I live around there

[North Branch]

Nice article.

Too bad they don't sell blanks anymore... really hate it that Shimano bought them out and did that. However, at least Shimano decided to keep them in the states... for now.

[mhood]

Gr8 article! I might have missed it but do they spline their rods?

[BASSLAYER]

Reason I use Loomis and Croix's is that they are made IN HOUSE!

[STETSON1B]

EVERY ROD MANUFACTURER DROOLS OVER G LOOMIS




DARN GOOD FLW SHOW ON T.V. HOW EXITING WISH I COULD CATCH HUGE BASS JUST FEW AND FAR BETWEEN AROUND HERE (OREGON) at least we just got a Cabelas finally !!

[fishsmart]

The majority of good fishermen compair other rods against G Loomis Rods. I have used them since they were LCI and have enjoyed their various products over the years.

Glad to see G Loomis has kept their quality and so has Temple Fork.

I believe quality is comes in the mind of the builder. Just trying to meet specs usually gets second place.

Charles

[Charlie 2una]

Awesome read! Would have been cool to see some videos. Very interesting to finally understand the complete process.