Can someone explain the process they use to insert a penny, dime, quarter, or whatever in the butt end of a cork butt grip? I turn my own handles on a mandrel and usually fill the hole with the hole shavings and epoxy.

Thanks in advance.

What I have done in the past was on the lathe, create a bore in the end of the cork to fit the coin size and deep enough for the coin and epoxy to cover it. Attach the handle onto the blank and then plug the end of the blank. Then lay the coin in the bore of the handle and pour finish epoxy over the coin till it is even with the cork. Since I do mostly 1 piece rods, the hardest part was holding the rod verticle and then getting up to the handle to pour in the epoxy.

Mike,
Just wondering! Would it be easier to turn your grip with the last ring in place but not glued to the grip and then just use a forstner bit to bore the hole in it and do the inlay and finish and THEN glue it to the god? Just a thought!


Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I've done mine like Mike S. For 1 piece, I tape the rod to a post in my shop and use a level to make sure it is vertical and staight. I realize that this post being there is a happy coincednece.

Mike B - I've thought about your suggestion. The reason I do it the way I explained is because I feel more confident that I will get the best no-glue line fit between the second to last and last ring. There is probably a way to friction fit the two on the mandrel for turning/shaping and then to clamp them together on the rod after inlaying. Because I'm a creature of habit/routine, I've just decided to finish the grip the same way every time and then inlay as the very last step. The only exception being if I'm attaching a rounded butt cap type piece then I use a technique that I explained on another thread.

Thanks guys. One more question though. Do I need to apply CP before the finish epoxy?

I have the same reason, wanted to make sure I didn't have a glue line. I have used some very sharp lathe tools to create the bore and it came out very clean.

No need for CP, that is only needed for thread.

I wonder if you could be "defacing currency" ?

Tight lines ~~

You can also use a Dremel to create the hole you need if you are using a preformed grip. ..just work slowly and carefully. First one I did turned out fine.

I do the same thing but I use a one dollar bill! Much easier to insert.

Rich Matranga

I have done this and for me the best way was to counter bore it for the penny while I had the piece chucked up in the lathe. I only couner bore deep enough so the the penny is flush with the handle, I don't sink it deep enough to have to fill with epoxy. I have done it with cork and with wood. Just go slow.

You could do it off the rod.

After your handle is done and the seat is glued in place, rod bond the quarter in place, then turn the handle and fill with epoxy finish. The handle can be put on from the butt end of the rod. Just make bushings from 1/4" tape to take up the slack in the front of the handle.

You can even put a scrap piece of blank into the handle and turn at a slight angle upward and then finish.