Damon M.

I think you might have some difficulty finding a used clemens lathe. Try www.rodguild.com, they have a rod builder's guild message board there and someone on that board might be able to help you. I would suggest you go with the clemens lathe whether you find a used one or buy a new one. Either way you wont be wasting your money. Another important factor to consider is the amount of space you have available for rod building. A clemens lathe should be permanently mounted on a base board on top of a level work bench or table with plenty of flourescent light overhead. For surfrods, you should have at least 12.5 feet of table to accommodate a 12 ft surf rod and the wrapping motor. A permanent work area is a great help because it allows you to work a little bit at a time and keep a cleaner, more organized work space. If you are confident enough of your abilities that you think you're going to eventually start selling rods, you'll definitely need a permanent work space and it wont take long to pay off the machine with a half dozen rods.