A few days ago I posted ? Why grip makers do not make the grip bores larger than .25 inch for fly rods?

TK was nice enough to give me heads up about easy method to ream the holes and observation about the process. Which was and is greatly appreciated.

FYI: I used to turn my own grips, using Andy Dear's mandrels, but had occasional problems with the ends of the lathe thingys wearing and going off center. So, I decided to buy preglued grips, say two 12-inch grips (float rods) or one 12-inch preglued grip for fly rods and sanding down. The idea ws that the center holes were larger and easy to shim. Some even fit close enough to negate shimming.

I just finished a big 8wgt and the grip was easy to do this way.

Also, the float rods sported graphite rings, to make it easy to balance and vary reels, and the preglued sections were altered to take a cork butt-cap, in case a graphite ring failed. It is way easier to pop the cap off to replace the ring and re apply a new cap than it would be using the preformed section as is.

Now, I am looking forward to the article in the soon to be published RM magazine and will go from there.

Thought the experiences would be of interest.

Hive

Robert,
I have been using the same set of mandrels for over 5 years with no wear......are you sure there is not something wrong with your live center? The only reason the counterbore should wear would be because the lathe centers are not aligned or the cone of your center is out of whack.

Andy Dear
Lamar Fishing.

Andy, Hi!

Sorry! I did not mean your mandrels were the problem, it was those live centers you mention (I called them thingys) that wore out.

"... occasional problems with the ends of the lathe thingys ..."

Your mandrels are perfect and I have made some stunning grips using them. I still have them and would not part with those beauties cause they do the trick when I am making those long grips.



Hive

My wood lathe is a 1980 Sears with a ball bearing live center and for many years used graphite mandrels which has grooved the live center but it is still runs true. A couple of years ago I purchased a complete set of Andy's mandrels and have nothing but praise for them. I just can't picture a live center wearing out, are you sure you are not reffering to a stationary or "Dead" center. Jesse

When the article "hits" it will forever change the way rod builders ream their grip bores.

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Ahhh.....yes, I think we all have that problem....my live centers are toast after a year or two. I have since started buying the cheaper ones!


Andy Dear
Lamar Fishing Products

Tom,must you always do this to us.Bad enough when others start to rap about the magizine before others get it,now you are dropping hints?Must be a marketing ploy.Keep up the good work,suspense make it all the better.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

>When the article "hits" it will forever change the way rod builders ream their grip bores.

How long do I have to wait for the magazine to hit the post office? Got a few grips turned and a few blanks waiting <G>

October 28th.

..........

Please tell me I can throw away the rat tail files forever.

Pete Kornegay

Throw them away - you'll not use them again. At least not on grips.


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Tom Kirkman Wrote:
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> October 28th.

5 weeks .... I can just stack things up <G>

5 weeks? That is like......forever :-(

Mark Syck

SYCKO Custom Rods
There Are No Limits To The Imagination

Tom Kirkman Wrote:
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> Throw them away - you'll not use them again. At
> least not on grips.

OK, howabout a hint ... do I need to start saving pennies for a new tool or three?