I usually figure my rods cost about half what the store-bought equivalent costs. Plus I like doing that sort of thing. It's addictive; I make rods I don't even need. As Silver Hilton said, you cannot compete price-wise at the lower end. I've seen some fairly nice low end rods at Sportco that cost less than the parts to make one. That economy disappears at about $100 and up.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.