Rodbuilding Tools, Components & Supplies


NOTICE!: We now have the new video about Tonkin Cane and Bamboo Rods, Trout Grass. Don't miss this fantastic movie!

We are pleased to announce that we now carry a complete line of cane rodbuilding tools. In addition to our planing forms that set the benchmark standard of quality in cane rodbuilding, we now offer a complete selection of high quality hand tools along with dial indicator sets, micrometers, calipers, and ferruling tools. Save hours of frustration searching for tools individually and receive our assurance of quality as each of these tools has our endorsement based on our own personal experience.

We can also be your one stop source for rodbuilding components and supplies including ferrules, guides and tip-tops, reel seats, winding checks, silk wrapping thread, cotton binding thread, ferrule cement and much more. Details on all of our tools, components and supplies are listed below.

Ordering: Ordering any of our products is easy! Once you know what you need, just email us with your list of items (be sure to include size, style, etc. when applicable) along with your name and shipping address.We will promptly reply with confirmation of items in stock and will give you a total including shipping costs. We maintain a good inventory and are generally able to process your order immediately upon receipt. In the event any items are out-of-stock you will be notified with an estimated delivery date.

Shipping: We are proud to offer high quality tools & components to interested builders at competitive prices. We do not "pad" shipping charges but rather pass along our actual costs.  That is why you don't see a specific shipping cost listed for each item! The weight and value of your total order and your location will determine your shipping charge...plain & simple!

We ship UPS Insured so a daytime shipping address (P.O. Box does not suffice) should be noted with your emailed order.You can save money by providing your business or office address (UPS charges extra for residential deliveries) and also have the peace of mind knowing someone is there to accept and sign for your packages. If you or your business have an account set-up with FedEx or another carrier and prefer that we ship against that account that is fine with us. FedEx is a convenient option for us; other carriers will be accommodated if located nearby our shop.

Payment: We do not take credit card payments at this time. Orders (including the quoted shipping) can be paid by personal/business checks or by money orders/cashier checks made payable to J.D. Wagner, Inc. It is our policy to ship orders immediately upon receipt of payment. You will be notified via email when your items are shipped, provided a tracking number and estimated delivery date.

Special Note to International Customers: We ship internationally via UPS only! We realize that this is more expensive then shipping parcel post, but it is the only way to insure your package can be sent securely and tracked as it progresses to you. We accept international payment in the form of PayPal only, payable in US dollars. $300 minimum order required. Please email us for a quote on your order.

Ready To Order? Send us your list of items by email now! Or you can call us at the shop at (440) 845-4415 from 8a.m.- 8 p.m. EST/EDT.

If you are new to the craft and have questions about the process of building or need some advice, check out our Rodbuilding Pages and Getting Started page.

We are very pleased to announce that we are featured in Ed Engle's new book, Splitting Cane, Conversations with Bamboo Rodmakers. Read about it and other rodbuilding books here.

One way to have a ball learning the craft and drastically reduce the learning curve is to take a cane rodmaking class!

Just before the 2006 Holidays our friend John Betts sent us a copy of his new book, "Making Strip-Built Flyrods from Various Woods on a Lathe". John is an extraordinarilly talented guy and his book does not disappoint. It begins with the premise: What would have happened if split cane had not succeeded as a rodmaking material? The answer is that rodbuilders probably would have gone back to building rods out of wood! Contrary to what one might think, they are fine casting tools!

John takes you through all the steps to building a wood fly rod, including making your own ferrules. You don't need a lot of fancy equipment and a rod can be constructed very quickly. (When I get a bit of free time I hope to make my first one.) John wrote out this book in longhand, and it's profusely illustrated in his hand. If you'd like a copy, give him a call at 1-303-722-7052 . Highly recommended!


Planing Forms

Professional quality planning forms. Designed for those seeking the utmost in dimensional and bevel accuracy. These forms are heat-treated, stress-relieved, and surface ground for the ultimate in accuracy. Guaranteed to work perfectly with no tuning or tweaking necessary. 76" in length, 15 push-pull stations on 5" centers, 1" thick x 1 1/2" wide, precision alignment pins. Bevel slope is .001/inch and is shallow enough on the tip side to make tips smaller then ever before possible.

We are proud that our forms are used by some of the best professional and serious hobbyists in the world. A partial listing of users:

Don Schroeder, D.G. Schroeder Rod Company

Per Brandon

Jon Parker, Parker Rods

Mike Clark, South Creek Ltd.

John Bradford, J.A. Bradford Rod Company

Bernard Ramanauskas, Eden Cane

John Zimny, J.C. Zimny Rod Company

Chris Bogart, Shenandoah Rods

Robert Stroh, Robert Stroh Flyfishing

Steven A. Weiss, Rodmaker

Christian Strixner Rods

Nick Taransky, Taransky Rods

In addition, there are people involved in marketing forms that use our forms to make their rods. We'll spare them the embarassment of listing their names here and instead recall the words of Charles Caleb Colton : "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

 Don't settle for second best.


Cost is $850 plus shipping.

J.D. Wagner Planing Forms

J.D. Wagner Form- Closeup

Form-Closeup

New! Swelled Butt Planing Forms!

This is a project we've wanted to do for years, and at customer request we've finally got them together. For making dramatic, abrupt T&T or Heddon-style swells! We've designed these forms so that you can make swells such as these, or like our normal forms more gradual swells like those called for in Leonard or Garrison tapers. Best of all, you can make any rod up to 8' 2-piece sections with no swell at all...so there's no need for a dedicated form...these babies do it all.

These forms are otherwise made to the same specs as our original forms that have long set the standard in bamboo rodbuilding, except they are a full 1" thick to accomodate the larger swelled butt sections. Price is $1,050 plus shipping.

This is a picture of the first blank I planed up with this new tool, featuring a swell of about .120 over 2"...and you can make them even bigger, if you desire!

J.D. Wagner Swelled Butt Forms Made This!

Another view of a couple blanks made with our new form!

J.D. Wagner Swelled Butt Forms

New! J.D. Wagner Quad Forms!

Again at customer request, the highest quality Quad Forms available. Like our swelled butt forms, these are made a full 1" thick to accomodate wider quad strips, yet the tip bevels are so fine you can make quads with tips finer then have ever been designed. We designed the forms so that each 'side' of the quad(right and left) are seperate entities so that they are easier to move about and set. Cost is $1,650 plus shipping. These forms were used to build our 2003 Limited Edition Sans-a-Bitch rod.

J.D. Wagner Quad Bamboo Rodbuilding Forms

A view of the fine, fine tip bevels:

Make tiny, tiny quad tips w/a J.D. Wagner Form

NEW!  90 Degree Points for Setting Quad Forms

Made from brass with standard indicator thread, these point allow you to quickly and accurately set quad forms using a standard dial indicator. Almost 3/8" wide, so you can really crank your forms open without the point 'falling into' the form. Cost is $15 plus shipping.

NEW! J.D. Wagner Nodeless Scarfing Block!

Nodeless rods have become all the rage, and I developed this tool for building a special nodeless Presentation Series rod. This tool features an adjustable splicing angle that gives the rodbuilder a degree of control over the splice angle. Designed to allow you to power cut a splice in 15 seconds that is ready to glue with an impeccable glue line. Available now and cost is $145 plus shipping. Pays for itself on the first use in saved time and elbow grease. Check out a special project that was built with this tool, our 2003 Limited Edition Sans-a-Bitch rod. Like all of our tools, you know they work because we actually use our tools to build rods! Comes complete with written and illustrated instructions, including an instruction CD.

J.D. Wagner Nodeless Splicing Block

New! Self Centering 4- Jaw Chuck!

An invaluable asset for the quad builder! Unlike independant 4-jaw chucks, this self centering chuck is a joy to use for ferruling quads. Just insert your section, tighten the jaws and your quad ferrule stations or grips are ready to turn...no indicating or mucking about trying to get 'on center'.

Super high quality 5" chuck, at a price that can't be beat. You can either mount to a face plate(recommended) or to a spindle adapter(available seperately- specify spindle size and thread). Cost is $165 plus shipping. This is the answer for quad turning operations!

Sherline Lathes

Sherline makes a very nice, compact and well-made lathe for your turning needs and we are proud to offer their products. We recommend the model 4400A, which comes with all the accessories you need to get started with using a lathe in your rodbuilding efforts. Sherline offers an economic answer to your lathe needs. Special Holiday Deal! Sherline is offering a free accessory package for any 4400A lathe package before Dec. 1, 2006. A $100 value- FREE!

[Sherline 4400 Lathe]

The Wagner Binder

At long last, a high-quality, affordable and versatile binder that can be used to bind in three different binding modes!

[The Wagner Bamboo Rod Binder ]

NEW!! Quad Ferruling Broaches!

Quad Ferrule Broaches

When we began building quads last year, learning how to broach round ferrules to square was a major headache. Lots and lots of trial and error, and a lot of split /ruined ferrules! Not to mention the cost of tooling up! At the request of a number of builders, we've finally made available a complete set of ferruling broaches.

These broaches are available as a set and are sized in 64th increments, from 8-18 64ths. They were designed so that a rodbuilder can customize them to taste, so you can broach your own quad ferrules with corners as distinct and well-formed as you like. Made of high quality steel, the set comes with complete instructions which will save you much time, money and grief over trial and error learning. Also included is a free sample of recommended lubricant to ease the process.  Believe me, unless you can channel the ghost of Sam Carlson for instruction, you'll greatly appreciate learning this process the easy way. $145 + shipping.

Note: We highly recommend that you use step-down, non-serrated ferrules by Classic Sporting Enterprises and we routinely carry a good stock of these. We also recommend using a set of our ferrule mandrils in conjunction with these broaches.

Dipping Plugs

Rod Varnishing Dipping Plugs

New! Soft tapered plastic plugs used in bluing and varnishing to keep varnish and bluing solutions from entering the ferrule. Unlike cork plugs, these do not shed dust into your finish tank and are reusable over and over again...when the finish builds up on them you just peal it off and it's like new. Small size fits ferrules 8-12 and large size fits ferrules 12-17. Cost for 10 each is $3.00 + shipping for the small size, $3.50 + shipping for the large size.

Splitting Tool

Hand held bamboo splitter

A very cool new tool. This hand held cane splitter works like the versions used by Dickerson and Winston and will evenly split a predetermined number of strips in seconds! Simply center the splitter over one end of a culm, give the tool a light tap with a mallet to start the splits and then use the handles to force the tool down the culm! The version shown splits 6 strips, but we also carry versions that can split into 8 strips and 12 strips! Builders that build nodeless rods will be especially amazed at how quickly they can split out strips. Heavy-duty cast iron construction will last a lifetime! Costs: 6-way splitter $44.60 + shipping, 8-way splitter $62.60 + shipping, 12-way splitter $150 + shipping.

Hock A2 Blades

I've long been a fan of the Hock replacement plane irons. It would have been difficult to improve upon a blade that takes and holds such a keen edge, but the folks at Hock have outdone themselves with their new A2 blades.  The A2 differs from their normal blades by the additon of some chromium and molybdenum to increase toughness. In addition, each is cryogenically treated which increases the edge-holding capability of the blade.

I was naturally skeptical until Ron Hock sent us a blade for testing and trial evaluation. I found that instead of the usual 2-3 strips planed before needing to resharpen, I was able to consistently get 4-6 strips finished before going back to the sharpening stones! I don't find sharpening to be too time consuming or troublesome, but anything that will allow me to sharpen 1/2 as often has my appreciation. In addition, a blade that normally lasts about a year for us before wearing down to the slot will last twice as long, so it's a better value all around!  Cost is $47.00 + shipping.

The Complete Guide To Sharpening

The Complete Guide To Sharpening

Probably the most complete and scientific guide to shapening that you can find at 238 pages, this book features tons of photographs(including electron micrographs of edge formation), diagrams, and helpful hints. The author goes into exhausting detail, and you can learn how to sharpen not only your plane irons but also saw blades, chisels, knives, scrapers, drill bits, etc. A complete description and overview of all of the abrasives, jigs and guides used for sharpening. Outstanding! Cost is $22.95 + shipping.

Wood Rough-Out Forms

Used to form the first and second 60 degree grooves on rough split strips to form a perfect equilateral triangle. Made from kiln-dried hardwood and vary in length from 42-44". This design incorporates the best features of both the Garrison and Cattanach plans. On both the butt and tip sides of the form are two grooves of the same depth, one with a 30/57 degree angle pair the second with a 60 degree angle. Simply form the first bevel using the 30/57 groove and then flip the strip into the 60 degree groove and plane the second angle into the strip! Instruction sheet included. Cost is $40 plus shipping.

Cross section, wood rough out forms

Rough Out Forms- Cherry

Center Gage

Used to check angles on strips, rough measuring, as a thread gage and set-up tool. Cost is $8 plus .60 shipping.

Center Gage

Hex &Quad Punches

Tapered hexagonal punches for forming hexagonal winding checks from round ones. Cost is $45 plus shipping.

NEW! We now have in stock a punch designed for quad builders. Same price as the hex punch!

Note: These punches function best with non-knurled winding checks such as those made by Struble. We keep a good stock of these at $3.50 each plus shipping. If you don't wish to make hex checks yourself, but still like the look, we carry pre-formed hex checks by Classic Sporting Enterprises.

Hexagonal Winding Check Punches

Alcohol Lamp

Useful for a number of shop tasks: mounting and removing ferrules, singeing silk, straightening strips and glued rod sections. High quality chrome-plated brass. Wide (3 1/2") base to prevent tipping, with a 5 oz. capacity. Use only with denatured alcohol! Cost is $30 + shipping.

Alcohol lamp

Dial Indicator Sets

We've added this set after numerous requests from rodbuilders that have had difficulty finding parts that were functional, economical and compatible. This set comes complete with an analog dial indicator with a 60-degree point, base and an indicator standard used to calibrate the dial indicator for maximum accuracy when setting your forms.$100 + shipping

Indicator Set: Base, Indicator, Point & Standard

Indicator Set

New! A new addition for those that desire a digital dial indicator as opposed to the analog versions shown above!

Fowler Digital Dial Indicator w/ Standard set

Cost for the indicator set, w/the digital upgrade, is $245 + shipping.

Measuring Tools

We now are offering two indespensible items needed for cane rodbuilding: a 6" dial caliper and a 1" micrometer.

Fowler Micrometers from J.D. Wagner

These Fowler(TM) mics are a low-cost but high quality answer to your measuring needs. Available in three choices: analog reading(below), mechanical digital style(above) or fully electronic digital(not shown). The digital styles afford an instant readout to .0001(tenths) and are recommended for those that do not know how to read a traditional mic. All come in a nice foam-lined plastic case. Cost is $65 plus shipping for the mechanical digital model, $98 plus shipping for the electronic digital, and $30 plus shipping for the traditional analog.

Dial caliper for rodmaking

A 6" dial caliper is indespensible for a variety of shop measurements. We use this tool to get quick readings where accuracy isn't quite as vital, as well as for comparative and inside measurements. The slide also has a nice 6" scale, so you can get quick reading without even opening the dial. Can also be used in some applications as a depth gage. Like the mics above, it comes in a nice foam-lined case for protection when not in use. Easy to read dial with white letters on a black background, 1 revolution = .100". Cost is $36 + shipping.

New! We now have an electronic digital dial caliper! 6" range, LCD display, reads in inch/metric increments. Sturdy plastic case and battery includied. $60 plus shipping.

Hand Tools and Hand Tool Sets

Finally, a one-stop place to acquire all of the handtools needed to produce a rod!  Save time and money over purchasing from several sources and also receive the assurance that you've selected the right tool as well as the ability to contact us for any help you may need as you progress. We've put together two sets of tools in 'kit' form: a Basic tool set that provides an economical means for beginners to acquire high quality tools, and a Professional set for those that wish to upgrade their tools or start with the very  best available. In addition, each of the tools listed is available individually! Please follow the links below to view our offerings and feel free to contact us by phone or email.

[Basic Tool Selection][Professional Tool Selection][Individual Tools]

Ferrules and Ferruling Tools

We carry a complete line of Classic Sporting Enterprises ferrules, as well as a number of handy accessories: Ferrule cement, pinning wire and bits, lapping files, ferrule plugs etc.

[Ferrules and Ferruling Tools]

 CSE Reel Seats, Hook Keepers, Hex Winding Checks and More!

In addition to their ferrules, we are proud to carry a number of fine Classic Sporting Enterprises reel seats and trimmings. Besides the exemplary quality of their work, CSE is by far the most reliable and timely supplier we have ever dealt with. Their product line is continually expanding and we look foward to offering new items as they become available. Stop back here often to see their new products.

[CSE Reel Seats and Accessories]

Venneri Reel Seats

From his small shop in the Catskills, Bob Venneri produces some of the finest reel seats available anywhere. We are proud early supporters of his work, and make available his efforts here.

[Venneri Reel Seats]

Rod Tubes by Landmark, Rod Bags and Tags by CSE

Once you've completed your masterpiece, you'll be needing a rod tube and bag, and we've got the best available.

[Tubes and Bags]

Woods

We carry a killer supply of premium hardwoods and burls for reel seats. Usually the stock includes curly maple, curly cherry, bird's eye maple, amboena, maple, walnut, olive, myrtle, buckeye and madrone burls, etc. Because stock is always changing, inquire via email to see what we have available.

Guides and Tip-Tops

Available either individually or discounted in bulk! We carry both hard chrome and black titanium oxide finishes. We also carry bronze guides and agate strippers from Snake(TM).

[Guides and Tip Tops]

Cork

We now carry two grades of cork for your rodbuilding needs! Great prices, no minimum order!

Rod Wrapper

NEW! Introducing the new J. D. Wagner rod wrapper. Features an adjustable thread tensioner, four thread stations, hardwood base and non-skid base plate. Simplicity and functionality for your wrapping needs. Cost is $20 + shipping.

[Image]

NOTE!: Thread tensioners are available individually for those looking for parts to build Garrsion-style gluing binders. Cost is $3 each + shipping.

Flexcoat Finishing Motor

Flexcoat GM18 Finish Motor

I bought one of these units about 9 years ago, and it's still going strong. This is the18 rpm model which is our preferance for rotating rods while the wrap finish dries. High-quality American made gear motor. Equally versitile for cane or graphite(gasp!) work. $74.95 + shipping.

Brushes

rodmaking brushes

Super high quality brushes for applying varnish to wraps! Available in two sizes, I prefer the #5. Very soft sable bristles that minimize bubbles in the finish. Great handling and control of varnish application. Cost is $6.50  plus shipping for the #4 and $8.50 plus shipping for the #5.

Silk

We carry YLI silk in size 100 in a multitude of colors. Cost for a 200m spool of size 100 is $5.25/spool plus shipping. We also carry Tire brand high quality size 50 silk in 41 colors for $4.25/100 meter spool, plus shipping.

YLI Silk Color Chart

Tire Silk Color Chart

Cotton Binding Thread

A sometimes difficult to find item, this is the 100% glace cotton thread used to bind rod sections during the heat treating and gluing steps. Size 16/4, red in color to provide sufficient contrast to cane splines, and supplied in 4800 yard spools. $28 + shipping.

Glace cotton binding thread

Rolite Metal Polish

The product to use to polish nickle silver, brass, bronze, aluminum, chrome and more! Perfect for cleaning tarnish from ferrules and reel seats. Just a small dab is needed and the large 3 oz. tube will last years. $12 plus shipping.

Rolite Metal Polish Copyright 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 J.D. Wagner, Inc.



!!!!!!!! Special Offer !!!!!!!! Order any J.D. Wagner flyrod with a Hardy reel and we will fill the reel with backing and a Cortland 333HT DT flyline for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!


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Jeffrey D. Wagner, Inc. 6549 Kingsdale Blvd. Parma Heights, OH 44130 (440)845-4415 e-mail: sales@wagnerrods.com WWW: WagnerRods.com