Hello everybody. I have a question to ask about affixing the reelseat to my rod. I'm building my second rod, and it's all worked out great so far. I ordered the Fuji exposed seat for my rod and ordered it in size 10. My question is, how do you guys make the seat ID to fit. Reamers? Or should I use my Dremel?

Chris,
I build quite a few FW bass rods with exposed seats and try to use a seat that is somewhat snug on the blank. It's usually gets pretty snug (not tight) on the reel seat behind the trigger and I only then have to use a very thin layer of masking tape as a bushing for the forward part. I like to fit the seats somewhat snug so there is no gaps between the reel seat exposed edge and the blank. I use Rod Bond and have never had one loosen up this way. Just how I do it. Randy.

How far off is it now? I've carefully reamed the exposed reel seats with a larger rat tail file many times. I sometimes have to dress up the exposed area, but not often. I just go slowly, look often to ensure I'm taking the same amount off all sides, and don't over-ream by checking fit often, also.

Putter
Williston, ND

It's about an 1/8" or so off, but that's just a quick measure. I shouldn't have any problems with the front and back, they'll fit fine. Just the ID. I'll measure again and try the file. Thanks guys.

Likely a 10.5 or 11.0 would have been a better fit with less reaming, but I've reamed 8.5's to fit rods I'd used 11.0's for previously. Just take your time, eyeball it frequently, and test fit it one the blank each time you make a revolution with the file.

Putter
Williston, ND

Chris,

I also use reamers I made 5 or 6 years ago that I can use on a drill, they work well. As Randy said ream the reel seat slow and check the fit offend and you will probably need to clean and dress up where the blank is exposed through the reel seat.

A word of experience, if you use a reamer with some type of grit always check and clean reel seat out before sliding it over the blank when checking the fit or installing it, because if there is a piece of grit in reel seat from reaming it will scratch the blank.

Lynn

Randy's advice is pretty sound.
Some times if I have a seat that is a lot too small I will use a drill press and get closer to the size needed then finish by reaming it out. if you do use drill go SLOWLY and back it out often to clean out debris, as the drill can grab the seat and spin it out of your hand.