I am working on several fly rods which will be using a hooded fuji quick-lock grip as a fighting butt. For those who have used this method before, what is the best way to bore and attach the rings to the quick-lock tightening shaft?

I am planning on boring out the rings with a dremel, gluing up the rings with a hypolon butt plate on the shaft, then shaping the quick-lock with rings attached using a steel rod chucked in my hobby lathe.

Is there a better way to tackle this project?

Thanks in advance for any info and all the best for 2005. Ladd

And, the new Anglers Resource website is slick and useful.

The full procedure for doing this was outlined in an issue of RodMaker this past year. I think it was volume 6 #1 - if you have that one, haul it out and just follow the step-by-step photos.

In a nutshell, a spade bit in a fixed tailstock while the rings (you can usually do two at a time) spin in a lathe chuck usually makes quick work of the large bore. 4 1/2 inch cork rings will be just a tad longer than the quick-lock stem. So, you can bore one ring to the proper depth to fit, just to gain a little more stability on that last ring.

Glue and clamp and then install on a reel seat shimmed tight on a short mandrel. Chuck and turn to the desired shape.

You can finish off the last ring in a variety of ways - plug the hole in the last ring with an automtive trim plug, or use 3 cork rings and a cut down butt cap on the quick-lock sleeve to finish off. There are many variations here. I think the article I mentioned showed about a dozen different butts you can make on that quick-lock piece.

.......

Wish is was V6#1 because I have that one. Just checked and the article is from V5#5 which is not in my posession. From your description, however, it looks like I am on the right track, though I may use a forstner bit in a drill press to bore the rings close to size.

Thanks!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2005 12:21PM by Ladd Flock.

The rings will need a 3/4" ID bore and then you can just slightly ream them the last 1/32nd or so that you will need. Don't force them onto the quic-loc sleeve because the cork will be thin and you'll split the rings.

I've done a few of these type butts after reading the Rodmaker article. I won't use any other type fighting butt now. These are just really slick and work like a charm.