I'm a new rod builder here for the first time asking a question. I have got kits from a place that was supposedly to contain everything i needed. Well now i have the grip on the blank but what do you usually do at the end of the grip and the blank to cover up the hole? Also do you use tape under the reel holder to fill in the space there? Really like this forum, have never seen one like this where a person can get so much help without a fee. Thanks everyone for your replies.

About the hole at the end of your rod: Many people will install a butt cap there, there are many kinds. You say you already have the grip (butt handle) on the blank. If it's a cork handle and there is just a small hole about the size of the blank, then you can plug or cover that hole in many ways. One way is with a small cork plug (get a suitable cork at a craft store, you will probably have to sand or file a bit, glue it in and sand flush. Or cover (glue on) with a button (one without holes) or a coin, put a coat or two of epoxy finish on them first. (I like to use a shiny penny with the date the same as the anglers birth year.) About the reel holder (reel seat). Some people use masking tape arbors, better is drywall tape. Still better are graphite arbors; best are the new Flex-Coat arbors, but you will need a special drill bit for those. Good luck.

Alan , the kit should have cotained a cap for the end of the rod , they are usualy made of plastic or rubber . As far as the seat goes , you can use masking tape or mesh fiberglass drywall tape to build up the blank to get a slip fit between the seat and blank . There are also graphite bushings that can be purchased and reamed to fit the gap........ the prefered method nowadays by many builders. The arbors can be had in block , and pre turned , both of which require some work to get the proper fit . The glass tape works well when it is use with the slow cure epoxy . You will hear conflicting oppinions on masking tape , but I've used all three methods with no problems to date . Depending on what type of rod you are building you can find some crutch or cane caps at the pharmacy that will work for a butt cap for your rod. I'm sure if you use the search feature you can find some more info on "seat arbors" to get some info on the different methods . Have fun , good luck , John

Got Fish ?

Hi Alan: both tom and John gave you excellatadvice. May I add for a new commer dry wall tape is the best for you. To install dry wall sticky tape I would use 3 peaces about a 1/2 inch wide Measure your reel seat place one in the center of the reel seat and the other 2 about 1/4 inch from each end of the reel seat.. T ake your tape and roll it on to your blank nearest the butt roll in to to the blank till the reel seat is snug not tight. Cut off the tape at that point. Now do the center and the othe end the same way. Now using your bonding agent ( Rod Bond ) Unroll each tape leaving one turn on the blank, spread the bond on to the tape and roll it back on the rod after that spread the rest of the bond inbetween the 2 gaps and place the reelseat in-place. I would also place the for wrap grip in-place at this time. Now clean up and bond that got on the reelseat or grips with a mixture of 50% water and denatured alcahol with a couple drops of liquide soap
Good Wraps Bob

I did get a black plug but it looks small for the cork. I have a cork(pre-made) handle with plastic on and didnt think i should be taking the plastic wrap off. Do any of you take the plastic covering off the cork or do you leave it on through out the whole process? Thanks everyone for your help.

I'd take the plastic wrap off because if any epoxy creeps under it , it'll stick. You want to be able to wipe down the cork grip with alcohol before any epoxy mess sets up.

after taking the plastic off and glueing cork to rod blank is there anything else you may do to the cork handle to prepare it for fishing use.