I did a search but couldn't find an answer to my question. What is a recommended or preferred method of trimming/slicing burl cork rings into thin (1/8") trim rings? I have a Clemen's Lathe that I could use for this task, but don't have any idea how I could slice accurately. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,

Phil Ptak
Float Fishing Specialties

Phil

I,ll tell you how I slice regular cork rings. I never tried it with burl cork rings but it should work just the same. It works best if you glue 2 or 3 rings together rather than trying to cut just one. After glue is dry put them on a mandrel, I just use a drill rod, you may have to add a few wraps of masking tape to get a tight fit. Then chuck it in your lathe and use a utility knife or an exacto knife to slice off the cork while it is turning in the lathe. If you want to cut some for future use glue 4 or 5 rings together and slice them off down to the last ring. Usually when you have only one ring it will wobble some and the rings will not be straight. Hope this helps you.

Tim

Phil,
This might not be the answer that you are looking for but I use a band saw. I bought the saw just for cutting trim rings and grips and handles. It is a hobby type (Delta) band saw, not very expensive, doesn't take up a lot of room. I tried using my Power Wrapper, and I tried using
a cratfers miter box but I couldn't get consistant cuts.

I clamp a square piece of wood on the saw base to the left of the blade 1/8" from the blade. Using the squaring tool (sorry, don't know the band saw verbage) I can make consistant cuts time after time. Works on inserts and grips for wood, all kinds of cork, EVA, hypolon, and plastic. If you are going to do any amount of grip inserts, you might want to try this.

Oh, and since you can adjust the angle of the cut with the T-square thingie, you can make diagonal cuts in the grips and insert material,
very cool.
Buzz Butters
B & B Custom Flies and Rods
Ripon, WI

Russ at Golden Witch has a jig thats used with a bandsaw and a shop vac that cuts 1/8" thick pieces of cork rings. popular with the cane guys.

For 1/4" burl rings Bob Mckamey at custom tackle has them in stock. Ive been using them.

happy wraps "John"

Philip,

Have you looked into using rubberized/composite cork material? A 1' x 3' sheet of 1/8" cork gasket material is available from Napa Autoparts for $18 and is very suitable for thin inlay rings and one can make lots and lots out a sheet that size. With 1/8" widths I don't even think it's mother could tell the difference between it and burl when it's polished with fine grit sandpaper.

-Steve

I seem to be trying to answer all of the questions on the board tonight, but Phil is right. Glue a few rings together, and then put them on a mandrel on the lathe, then cut your rings with a very fine toothed saw blade like an Xacto or a jewelers saw. Bob Vasko

Thanks guys!!! I will try the ring gluing method. I have the mandrels and an Exacto fine tooth saw.

Phil Ptak
Float Fishing Specialties

A neat way of cutting the rings to a consistent width is to mount the rings/tube on a old blank, mandrel etc and to be cut on a lathe or drill. Take the blades from the "box cutters" or any 2 blades and tape them on either side of a flat stick the width the ring required in this case, 1/8". Then while turning the the rings use this double blade to cut the rings. The middle ring will be the usable one. The outer ring is basically a cutoff. You get very consistent rings this way. I got this method from the Dale Clemens book. It works.