Just got my first coat of epoxy on my rod(H&H XT51 2 wt) and flexed it up and down and it has a "rattle" or a sensation of something loose. The only thing I can think of is I haven't glued the reel seat butt on yet, and thought maybe the butt of the rod was bouncing against the reel seat, but I put tape around the butt to epoxy to, so that shouldn't be it. I also stuck toothpicks into the space between the seat and the butt, and that didn't change it. Anybody have an idea about this?

Is it really a rattle or is it more like a "click"? It could be that the ferrule fit isn't quite right and what you're hearing is the butt end hitting the insides of the tip section.

If it's a really high-pitched sound, like tinkling glass or crinkling cellophane, that could just be the thread finish (epoxy) working off its initial stiffness, until you flex it more. LOL, -Cliff Hall-

Finish the rod. Then try that again

Well, I would, except I'm thinking I might like to squeeze some epoxy into the butt end first - wouldn't that dampen a vibration? Or would it add too much weight?

If not all is glued, you probably have some thing making noise. Glue it up. let it dry good. Then try again. Don't flex it until it is dry.

Karen,

Before you glue anything else, you might try to flex the rod while holding each guide(one at a time) to see if you have a loose guide. If a guide is loose, the noise will stop while you are holding the guide. Just kind of shake the rod while holding the first guide then move down the blank trying each guide. If you find a loose guide, you will have to rewrap it or live with it. If the noise continues the above information about the ferrule could be the noise maker. Twist the sections to see if there is a better fit, only to see if the noise stops. If the noise stops, you will have to make some other decisions as to what you need to do.

Good Luck.

Rick Case
RodsByRick

Thanks for all the replies. I don't think it is a ferrule problem, as I "waggled" it as soon as I wrapped the ferrule and couldn't feel anything. It is a "feel" vibration, not a "sound" vibration. Tried the guides, but didn't get any feel from them. Good news is, I put a reel on it and cast it and it's not very noticeable, so if all else fails, I can live with it.

One time I had this rattle in the rod and couldn't figure it out. For about three days it was bugging me. I finally figure out that the uplocking screw on hood for my fuji reel seat was vibrating on the threads!! I laughed my tail off because I was getting so frustrated with the rod. Everything was glued up and the handle was tight along with the grips but when the reel is not seated in between the hoods that uplocking reel hood vibrates. Check yours it could be that simple.

Dan Grulke