I'm building my first Muskey Rod. It has a long handle on it, about 18". I'm trying to decide if I should do the handle on a mandrel or on the blank. Problem is I don't have a lathe set up for a rod this long but if I do it on a mandrel I'm concerned about reaming out a handle this long. I've considered a third alternative which would be to mount and turn the rings on a graphite tube, epoxy spacers on the blank and epoxy the handle to the spacers. Anybody out there have any experience and or suggestions.

Thanks

Jim

Not being smart, but why an 18" handle. I musky fish and that seems to be kind of excessive to me. Also, have you considered a split grip!! Personally, I build all of my grips on mandrels! All it took was one broken blank to convince me!

Jim, The consensus of the guys I biuld musky rods for handle length preference is 12-14 inches. However, to each their own. How about Mike's suggestion, a split grip. I know the ones I have done for musky guides have been well received. Rod Engel

It's not quite 18". The customer has one like it already and has asked me to make him one that is similar. Personally I don't like it and I tried to offer some alternative but he was insistant. The customer is always right............

Have you considered turning the handle in three sections, being careful to get the proper diameter where they meet and hand sand after gluing. Keep in mind you don't want a heavy glue seam where they meet.