mark blabaum
Registered: June 2006
Location: Southwest - Wisconsin
Posts: 1,282
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Rich I really like them all. The spinning grip is my favorite though.
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Rich Gassman
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 31
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Hi Mark, Thank you for your compliment. I made a mistake when I set the handles out to photo them. If you like the third one down from the top it is actually a fly rod handle. I set it the wrong direction. There is a spinning handle that is not clear coated at the top left but I am thinking you maybe liked the third handle down from the top. Thank you again for your compliment.
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Alex Dziengielewski
Registered: July 2007
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 98
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Tue April 7, 2009 11:27pm
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Very sharp looking Rich. You've been busy and found some success in your tests!
Mind if I ask how you got the smaller diameter tapers on the ends so clean?
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john timberlake
Registered: July 2006
Location: clemmons nc
Posts: 116
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nice work. very clean looking
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Mike Pedersen
Registered: December 2007
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 304
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Nice & Neat! Looks like you are ready to go into production.
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mark blabaum
Registered: June 2006
Location: Southwest - Wisconsin
Posts: 1,282
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Yes, it was the third one down. After you mentioned it it does look like a fly grip, I think that style would make a great looking spin grip as well. I did notice the one on the upper left hand corner as well. I would think it would take a lot of planning to get the spacing right around the reel seat. It looks like you've got it down patt.
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Rich Gassman
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 31
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Wed April 8, 2009 10:37am
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Hi, I want to say thank you to everyone for there compliments. Alex, For the smaller tappers like the ends of the handle pieces and the fore grips I used 5/8 OD ABS plastic tubing to tighten the weave into dry before applying the layup resin. I made some spade bits like the flex-coat bits, counter sink the handle foam 3/8 " so that I can use 10 minute Rod Bond to glue the ends of the ABS tubing into the foam. I first cut a shallow groove into the ABS that starts at the end of the foam handle part. After the Rod Bond has setup enough I place the CF weave over the handle parts dry, this enables me to make sure the weave is as straight as I can get it. I pull the ends of the weave to conform it to the shape of the pieces and carefully use elastic beading cord to cinch down the CF weave into the shallow groove of the ABS plastic tubing which holds the weave tight and keeps it from moving when I shrink the tubing over it to remove air in the resin. I also cinch down around the shrink tubing ends with elastic beading cord. When the resin is setup I remove the shrink tubing and cut the ABS pipe off which leaves me with the bushing in the ends so I can then adjust the fit to where I want to use the the handle piece on the blank. It sounds more complicated than it is. I was never much good at explaining stuff. In the photo I placed two fore grips up that show the bushings that are used to ream out to whatever size blank OD needed. I cut approximately 1" from the Fuji quick lock nut for the inside of the rear grips and use the remaining part for the fore grips that I use on IPS seats. Pennies fit perfect for balance weight but since using the smaller guides I have not hand much of a balance problem. The elastic beading cord and placing the CF weave dry over the foam has made making the handles much easier for me. The Fuji IPS reel seat still needs CF weave glued in place first which is why I thought I would try non IPS seats for the first time this winter. Sorry for the lengthy explanation, explaining things was something I never was much good at. Have a great day, Rich.
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Alex Dziengielewski
Registered: July 2007
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 98
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Wed April 8, 2009 11:23am
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Rich - I think I follow what you are saying. Thanks for taking the time to explain. They really look great.
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Rich Gassman
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 31
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Wed April 8, 2009 12:59pm
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Alex happy to help. I left out a thing or two that I thought I would update. If you look at the top handle you can see where it fits into the reel seat, you want to make sure to get a nice ninety degree edge and go smaller OD with a tapper back up to the size you need for the reel seat. That will leave a nice area for the CF to be cinched down into. I was making the handles and arbors one piece but found it was easier to just cut the main smaller reel seat arbor area off first. It made for easier gluing and alignment. Another thing that I forgot to mention was, I have the foam core on threaded rod suspended and held securely in place when I place the CF sleeve over the foam core, it helps when tightening and cinching down the elastic cord. It makes it much easier for one person to do. Have a great day, Rich.
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Stan Grace
Registered: March 2005
Location: Helena, Montana
Posts: 337
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Rich,
You make grips well regardless of material! I suspect that talent is furthered by patience, perserverence and an ability to solve ever present challenges. Glad to see some of your work again.
Stan
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Rich Gassman
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 31
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Hi Stan, Thank you for such a nice compliment, I do not think I am worthy. I may have a tad bit of what you said but I think it is more of a more time than money type thing. After I fished with my first CF handle rod all last summer, I was hooked on CF. Have a great day, Rich.
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Alex Dziengielewski
Registered: July 2007
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 98
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Thu April 9, 2009 12:27pm
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Rich... thats a good idea about hanging the grip to lay the CF. Thanks!
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Rich Gassman
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 31
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Hi Alex, I made a holding jig from a old plastic rifle cleaning stand that I do not use anymore. A 5/16 X 24" long threaded rod is held horizontally in the stand which gives plenty of room for the foam core and room for the expanded CF sleeve. Then I put a little pressure on both sides of the CF sleeve and move it over the center of the foam handle core. I carefully work the sleeve from the center out both directions. If the sleeve is not straight you can straighten it out by pushing in on the ends again and try for a better alignment. That is something you cannot do if you wet out the foam core first. I use the 1" CF sleeve and it has to be cut longer than the foam core so when it is expanded to the size of the handle core it slides over easily and you end up with extra at the ends to cinch down with the elastic beading cord at the ends. I hope that helps, have a great day, Rich.
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