is it possible to drill out an exposed reel seat that is to small to fit properly or will i just have to get another one?

thanks for the info
Buck

Merry CHRISTmas

I have used a rat tail file and slowly and methodically removed material from a .433" and got it to fit a .45+" blank. Worked great, just take time to check it and watch what's going on so you don't take too much from the top or sides; has to be round!!!

I'd much rather have noticed that I was out of the .453" and re-stocked it, but these DU-OHH things do happen!!

Putter

I love the reel seats once mounted.That said they are also one of my pet peeves, because seldom can you ever match one up to a blank where you want it mounted. You nearly always have to take an undersized one and ream it.
For a long time I did what Randy described, but it was just too time consuming, so I made me a set of tapered reamers in which I spiraled 1/2 in strips of emory cloth glued with contact cement. I also glued metal ferrules on the reamers so that I can use a battery powered drill. Now I can fit one in maybe a minute.

Later,
Gerald Mc

if you are going to use rattail files as reamers do this. cut off the tang so you can check it in a drill. use a reversible drill and set it for counter clockwise rotation. now it won't "grab" the wood and will make a nice round and smooth hole in the reel seat bore. i bought three different sized rattail files and it seems to cover most of what i do.

All the sugestions well work just great. I would recomend reaming a a hi spead and start slow , mark your reamer so you well stop just befor the desired fit. and check for tightness. Also I would place maskeing tape over the exposed area to eliminate splinters.
Good Wraps Bob