I have a 2wt that I want to install a new grip and reel seat on. The current grip and seat is an all one piece cork w/ slide bands. Can I sand down the cork and epoxy the new reel seat and grip on top of the cork? I am concerned that the cork will not provide a sturdy enough base. Should I try to expose a bit of the blank so that there is some epoxy contact between the new components and the blank???

I am hoping that I do not have to remove all of the cork and can use it as somewhat of an arbor.

Thanks in advance!

Lou

I don't know about a fly rod, but several of the older spin rods i've taken apart and re-built had cork arbors. They were easy to remove because they were cork and therefore soft, but were glued to the blank like gangbusters. I had one of the rods for probably 25 or 30 years, and caught many, many fish on it, and there were never any problems with the cork grip coming apart from the blank. Is your's a graphite blank? If it is, I think the cork would dampen the sensitivity of the rod, the graphite ones,I think, would be worth the work it would take. But in MHO, you should be able to do it. Now, I would like to see what the experienced guys think... Emory??
Fred

Sand it down and instal over teh cork - it will look and feel exactly like a cork grip. Why are you replacing teh cork? Cheap, or too thin?

Right, the old cork will work fine as an arbor or bushing. Cork is, in fact, excellent for this. It's light yet fairly rigid.

..............

Thanks guys. I skimped on the original grip and seat and am in the process of stripping the rod down completely. It's a PacBay Tradition 2wt and I am also scotchbriting the entire blank to remove the plum paint to get down to the original graphite.

Thanks again.

Lou