I also used the Proof instructional videos as my primary source for learning basic techniques. It was really helpful to watch them at my own pace for the first build.
I would recommend investing in a rod turner. I was on the fence about spending the extra money on one and have never regretted the purchase. I ended up buying a jig on eBay that included a 5-6 RPM turning motor, chuck, and wood stands. That said, I’ve only used Threadmaster epoxy and never tried varnish. There are some great tips in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=74514My biggest mistake is rushing the build process. It’s easy to get excited about fishing the new rod ASAP. One example that applies to almost every step - if you notice any imperfections in your thread wraps, don’t be afraid to take all the thread off and start over.
Like ColdPass, I do more test wraps now than on my first builds, and selecting the wrap color has become one of my favorite parts of the build process. I like to try at least 5-6 color options. The finished appearance of the wrap can be way different than you expect when you combine the variables of thread color, blank color, and effects of epoxy/varnish. For this reason, I always do test wraps on the blank in the ~10” section of the butt that will be covered by the grip and reel seat. Test wraps are also a good opportunity to improve your thread work and refine your epoxy/varnish finishing process. Everyone does the finishing process a little differently, so try different techniques and find out what works best for you.