I sized the reel seat on the blank with a fuji graphite reel seat with metal hoods. 26 fit perfectly. but I wanted the reel seat that fuji makes with the graphite hoods. I ordered that in size 26 and now it wont go down to the lead edge of the rear grip. I checked out fuji's website, and the ID of the seat I bought is .945 in while the ID of the reel seat I sized out on the rod was .984 in, even though they are both size 26.

Can I ream out the inside of the reel seat a bit to make it fit or will this weaken the reel seat substantially? I dont have a lathe so I dont really know how I would do this, maybee with a rat tail file and some sweat. or should I just bite the bullet and order the other reel seat with the metal hoods?

If anybody has had experience with this problem, I would really apreciate some help. thanks for taking the time to read.

Jared

Jared,
How much gap between where the rellseats stops and the grip?

About 6 or 7 inches

The reelseat is like only 5.5 " long if I remember right, I'd buy a new seat. Sorry, you'll know better next time. Use this seat on your next rod.

I like to use seats that are to small, Them ream them out to what I need. that way I always have a seat that is tight to the blank (no gap). I beleave a rod is more sensative if you don't have fillers between handle and blank.

steve,
thanks. How do you usually go about reaming out the reel seat? Mine is of course graphite. I may be building a lathe in the next couple days so that might help. how much material can you take away without damaging the reel seat. have you ever had one crack or anything like that? thanks

Jared,
You can ream that seat quite a bit unless it is an exposed blank type seat. Some exposed blank
type casting seats are tricky.
Get a wood dowel just smaller than the seat I.D. roll some 60grit sand paper around the dowel
and in a few minutes of reamming(check often) you have a nice fit.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2006 11:35PM by Raymond_Adams.

Jared
I use reamers, even on exposed real seat handles. I put the reamer in a drill press then manually move it up and down to get the diameter I want . If you use drill press use a slower speed so you don't melt the handle. Can also melt grit off reamer. The reason to move it up and down is to keep it from building up heat. Be patent and take your time. Also don't push up it to firmly or it will stick, and you will have to turn off press and back off the handle. Be prepared to let go of the handle quickly just in case it does get stuck. Will not hurt the handle, but can get frustrating. I have never had one crack. when gluing handle make sure you get complete coverage of glue. Have some denatured alcohol or what ever you use to remove excess and from area were exposed blank is if you use exposed blank type of handle.

They make exposed blank size 26 reelseats now? Off the top of my head it looks like he needs to ream about 3/64" and if your putting the threads toward the butt, it could get interesting I think.