I am going to try some of these shims. They are about 4 inches long. Are there any tricks to using these? Do you glue them in the rel seat first and then bore them with a round file? Also what is the best way to glue the shim to the reel seat? Thanks

This sounds like the Flexcoat urethane arbors. I just used one for the first time recently and it was really easy. The smallest size they make is 16mm, which is way to large for a fly reel seat with a wood insert, so I mounted it on the blank first and then sanded it down. I know a lot of people glue them into the reel seat first and then bore them out. Use Rod Bond to glue them to the blank and also to the reel seat.

They are the Flex Coat arbors Very Good! I would urge you to get them from one of the sponsors on the left who support us whenever possible

Mike

Don't forget that Flex Coat makes pilot bits that allow you to drill them out to the proper size in about 5 seconds flat.

If you already have the wood bits...they sell the parts and jig to make them yourself.

Regards......Doug@
TCRds

One think you can do is slip a plastic screw anchor over the tip of a spade bit to make a "piloted" bit. you can stick it on with a little hot melt if you need to.