I am about to build my first blank exposed reel seat rod. Although I have been building rods for many years this application is my first and I am seeking the best methods to use so that the exposed blank is not smeared with glue AND the reel seat is properly glued to the blank. Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Capt. Rick Bennett

Capt Rick,
I build virtually all my bass rods using the blank thru reel seats. I use
30 minute two part epoxy and smear the rod heavily in the area where the
seat will go. I approximate mentally where the rod blank will be exposed and
do not put any glue there. Next I take the reel seat and slide it on while turning the
seat. I do this over newspaper or other paper to catch any drips. I know the exposed
portion will have glue on it and it will squish out of the end near the handle so I have
a cloth or paper towel handy which has alcohol on it to wipe up quickly after I have the
seat in place. Once the glue is cleaned from the handle interface and the exposed blank,
I generally use a small spatula to put some glue carefully in the open end. After wiping the
excess off here, if any, I stand the rod up and check it every few minutes to make sure that
there are not any new flows to clean up. The alcohol does a great job of taking the glue off
and by using 30 minute setting time, you have enought time to be sure that you get good
alignment, excess glue is removed and everything is in order before the glue sets hard. I have
used the 5 minute glue on occasion but you have to be fast to get everything ship shape before it
sets. One mistake and you could be in trouble! I really dont worry much about the glue
since I know that if I am careful, only the minimal amount will be on the seat or cork and I can
easily remove it with alcohol.
Good Luck---Dave

I use Rod Bond. It's thickness prevents ANY run off, drips, etc. (it stays where you put it) and has a long set up time. I spread it on the area where ithe seat will go and slide the seat into place. I immediately wipe off whatever smeared on to the exposed blank section with alcohol and check periodically to make sure that it is all off. Works great

Mike

Do it the same way you would glue up a standard seat and clean up the blank area with alcohol, running an alcohol dampened Q-tip around the seam.

Just like to add that not all of the exposed casting reel seats are the same. I've used two brands. One requires one arbor under the threaded barrel. It's very light and I prefer it.

The other is solid and requires no arbor; it needs to be taper reamed the entire length. It's much heavier and I don't care to use it because of this extra weight.

Putter
Williston, ND

Don't keep us in suspense, Putter!! Which is which????

Mike

I'll be honest and up front; I don't use Fuji anything. Goes back a ways; just won't use their products. Just me; I seem to get by somehow...

The lighter one is Pac Bay.

The heavier one is American Tackle.

Putter
Williston, ND

Thanks everyone.
Capt. Rick

Forecast makes nice stuff.