How to Manufacture Graphite Rod Blanks

Graphite is a material often used to manufacture fishing rods due to its strength, light weight and flexibility. Graphite fishing rods are manufactured following the design of a rod to certain specifications and baked at high temperatures to ensure the material mixes and hardens as it is formed. Manufacturing a graphite rod must be completed on a heated surface. An iron can be used to flatten the rolled graphite material during the production of an unfinished rod.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Oven
  • Cutting tool
  • Thin film
  • Mandrel
  • Grinder/sander
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Instructions

    • 1

      Flatten a roll of unbaked graphite over a heated surface and measure the required amount of graphite in material form with the paper backed side down. Cut the required amount of graphite with a cutting tool.

    • 2

      Wrap the graphite material around a steel mandrel, which has a conical shape that mimics the final shape of the rod. Remove the paper backing. Press the graphite rod firmly into place around the mandrel.

    • 3

      Wrap a thin film, resembling cellophane, around the rod blank. The film shrinks at high temperature and reduces the amount of lines along the finished rod blank.

    • 4

      Bake the graphite, still wrapped around the mandrel in an oven at high temperatures, around 250 degrees Fahrenheit or higher depending on the requirements of the manufacturer. Manufacturers bake their graphite blanks at different temperatures for varying times. After the baking is finished, remove the blank from the oven and allow it to cool.

    • 5

      Remove ridges and the thin film from the blank using a sander or grinding machine. Apply a clear or colored coating to the blank and add accessories, such as a reel seat and rod handle, if desired.