I have a customer that somehow destroyed the butt cork. It is not fixable.
What is the best way to remove whats left of the butt cork. Do I need to try and remove the epoxy or can I just go over the old epoxy with new?

Thanks,

Sean

cut it off as close as u can then use heat to try and loosen the rest clean with acetone of alchol and recork good luck ...John T Burford aka Tightline Rod's

If there is a fairly substantial difference in blank diameter between the top and bottom of the area where the butt will go, then you might consider building up the top portion with thread to take up the slack since you will be installing from the rear.

Since you are installing the cork from the rear try to use U-40 Rodbond. This a paste type epoxy that will fill spaces very well. I've done this to several rods with no real problems. I use a pair of plyers to grap the cork and twist it off. I then put the rod into my lathe and spin it with a very dull x-acto blade on a shallow angle which cuts off the residual cork and much of the hardened epoxy. Just be carefull not to cut down into the blank. I don't try to get all the epoxy off and down to the blank but just get a smooth surface in which to fit the new cork. The lathe makes short work of a tough job. Ream the new cork and apply with the rodbond and clamp it.