I was bored last night and tore the foregrip off of a manufactured rod and also cut off the extra threads on the reel seat. I was greatly shocked to see that there was white twine, the kind that you wrap up packages with under the reel seat. My question is, should I tear the whole thing off and redo the entire handle or just fill in the front with some tinted epoxy to cover it up? This was a 200 dollar rod and I was very shocked to see this. Guess it is just another reason to go custom or build them yourself!!!

I've seen masking tape bushings on factory rods costing three times as much. Actually your twine bushing if applied correctly is an improvement over the tape type as it allows the adhesive to contact the blank as well as the seat to make a better bond.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

yeah, i don't see a real problem here, but then i'm new and still learning. seems to be a step up from long-used masking tape and somewhat creative in a good way. if epoxy or something like rod bond was used, THAT is what really adheres the seat to the blank. with any bushing, whether tape, mesh tape, solid/lightweight arbor, the main idea is to hold the seat centered until the adhesive is set, isn't? once again, just wondering.

eric
fresno, ca.

As Stan said, the twine / line / cord is usually a superior bushing than masking tape. Masking tape adhesive deteriorates with time & heat, and can turn to mush from water infiltration if the gap is not well-filled with epoxy adhesive. A nylon line by itself will tolerate some wetness. When saturated with the epoxy adhesive, nylon line and even the traditional baker's cotton twine become resistant to wet-rot. -Cliff Hall, Gainesville, FL-

tom, you're email address is hidden through rodbuilding.org, and something i sent to you privately in reply to your own email was bounced back as undeliverable for some reason. fatal flaws...

eric
fresno, ca.

Eric,

You should have the address in your in box.

Thanks,

Tom

Surprise surprise! Some rod kits sold in the early 80s had enclosed instructions to use twine to build up the blank for the reel seat to fit (ie. build an arbor). You don't see much reference to this type of arbor anymore, but it was (is) an effective way to build one.

Another type of commercial rod arbor you''ll see used from time to time is the cardboard tube type.

Lou