Help! I need to replace a reel seat and handle but i dont want to damage the blank. Ive used a heat gun but havent had any luck. Is the reel seat still salvageable? Is my only option cutting it off? I used Rod bond to put it together and it is about a year old.

Calvin

If it was a manufacured handle that your reamed and glued you may be able to cut it off carefully with a dremel. If you build your own handle on the blank cork ring by cork ring inserting and gluing in the reel seat with epoxy ,then compress before sanded to fit your hand then you are screwed as you will never get it apart without damaging the blank. With this method there is a lot more epoxy holding it on to the blank.

Cut it off with a 4" angle grinder with a very thin cutting blade, you will only have to cut down one side of the seat then use a screwdriver and gently pry apart

I prefer to use a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade. I'll take a spiral cut just barely through the seat, then pry it apart. The cutting wheel is probably faster, but one slip, and you're into the blank. I like the positive control of the hacksaw better.

You can cut it off with ease if you use a Dremel tool with a small ball burr. Once you cut through the reel seat a straight slot screwdriver will peel the seat right off. If you practice with the Dremel tool you can even remove a tip top the same way. A word about using the Dremel tool when you use a ball burr always pull the tool towards you do not push the tool. You can not maintain control of the burr if you push the tool away from your body.. And by all means use both hands.

If you are really trying to save the reel seat, have you tried a few minutes in a deep pot of boiling water? Heat gun may not be giving you a deep, consistent, and penetrating heat.

Either way i think this reel seat is trashed however way i try to take it off. I used the heat gun on it for a while and it got so hot i had to use oven mitts to try to pull it off. Didn't budge. Earlier i wasnt too sure about the capabilites of Rod Bond but so far ive been quite impressed.

If i break an SAGE XP blank does sage warranty with another XP blank section or do they send you the new current model that replaced it?

Calvin

Why is everyone so afraid of cutting the blank? You cut it and plug it back together and it is now stronger than it was in the beginning. It's just an "OLD WIVES TALE" that you are ruining the blank if you cut it . If it's pluged under the reel seat you have lost "NOTHING" Get out of your "MIND SET" and get with the program. Jesse

Dont argue with Jesse`s wisdom.I have done this several times and it is not detectable.I still have several people scratching their heads as to how i saved the handle.Thanks to Jesse.Hope to see you in High Point and thank you in person.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)