While reading RM Magazine, I noticed a comment on large rings for conventional casting with shock leaders as being a smart move and would love to try it. I really, REALLY hate them knots crashing through my system.
However, my tip accepts a #7 1/2 just fine (could go with an 8) but I've seen nothing offered in this size(?) with a 16 ring (lots of 10's and a few ugly 12's only).
Am I looking in the wrong places? HELP!

You won't find many 16 ring tops in much less than an 11/64ths tube size. So, build up the tip with thread or sleeve with a short section of scrap rod blanks to fit the top properly. Or... wrap a single foot #16 guide on as a tip-top.

.........

Been considering trying to re-solder a 16 ring on a tube frame. Just concerned about breaking the ring.
Maybe slowly heating / slowly cooling would work??? Don't know, just asking. Would some liners be better for this than others?
I know machining & working with ceramic, even & slow on the heat is the trick, but others?
Anyone have experience with this?

A little heat on the ring/ frame and the ring can be popped out. If you feel capable of soldering and doing the mad scientist thing to the top, by all means give it a try at least ( or just build up the blank with thread)...you can re- epoxy the ring back in place when done.

I built a rod with gold cermets for a rabid fisherman many years ago. We were both so crazy about not having a 16 ring by 10 tube that he (a machinist) Turned a tube and frame out of solid titanium bar stock. Popped a 16 ring out of a casting guide and ended up with the most insanely expensive/functional tip top EVER created!

LOL!!!!!

Scary part of this story Gary is that its true! He fabricated a 10 tube by 16 gold cermet ring out of bar stock, CNC milled etc......REALLY cool.

Scarier part of the story....he's building his own rods these days, and probablly still fishes 5 nights a week.

I've been using a lot of Alconite rings lately.

Merrick lists the BMNAT tip top size 16 ring in the following tube sizes:

7.5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15

Otherwise, build up the tip with thread to the desired thickness, saturate with epoxy and let dry.
Now you can use hot melt glue to attach the tip top.

Don

Do you really need a 16 ring? I fish the Outer Banks for drum with 20# running line, doubled and attached to a 50# shock leader. My tip-tops are no larger than 12s, and I've never had a problem with the knots fouling. The knots you tie are the key (which knots and how well you tie them), but this is not the board for that.