Butt extensions are a bit foreign to me
How common is this practice?
Is it only done to get a rod the length you want it or why do you do it?
Advantages / disadvantages???
How long and how short would a common extension be?
Thanks

Robert, I have done several, two were done because I was repairing a blank that the butt section had been damaged in shipping. In both those cases I extended the blank almost ten inches ending up with the splice under the reel seat. However, I have done 4 where I wanted a longer blank. I live bait fish and I like a 7 1/2 foot for that. I have take med to fast action blanks and added six inches to them. In all case I was very happy with the result. To date I have not had any problems but there are those here that might tell you some disadvantages.

The length of the extension depends who is using the rod and for what purpose
Good Wraps Bob

I have put in a couple for people in an effort to get the length up on a rod with a desired action. I have not heard of any problems with them. They will quicken the action of the blank possibly shift a mod/fast to a fast or something of the like.

I have done several extensions on older 5 ½ foot boron bass rods (casting & spinning) which were built using the old Lew’s "glue in" type pistol grip “speed handles” where only 1 ¾ “ of the blank was epoxied into the foregrip. Once the handle was removed, and the butt was extended (with the taper reversed), I was able to build on a conventional reel seat and cork grips. The rods have been very serviceable and I’ve never had a failure.

I took a favorite blank of mine that was 7' and added a 6" extension to it before building it(lipless crankbait rod) to increase casting distance and the rod performs the same with the extension as my other one does at its original length!

I took a 7' honey colored lamiglass E glass fly rod blank and extended it to 7'9". i did it because i wanted a 7'9" 3wt on that blank and lami did not make one. i have not regretted it at all. it is a fine casting rod, in fact i will be fishing it tomorrow on a medium size stream. when extending a rod it generally makes the rod a faster action and slightly more powerful rod. that is the effect it had on my project. i don't know how to post a picture here but if you go to this link you can see a discusion and some pictures. [outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com]. it is also discussed more from a how to here [gatheringoftheclan.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/2007 11:02PM by LARRY PIRRONE.

I have extended a couple of rods, most notably my Loomis SJ6400 GL2, and an All Star 6' spin blank I got form Andy Dear. Both were extended just as if I was making an oversleeve ferrule, giving detachable handle extensions. Later the handle section on the Loomis got slammed in a door, and to restore the length I just slid on a short section of fiberglass for an oversleeve extension. On the All Star I also just pushed a short section of graphite into the butt end of the handle piece, to squeeze out another 2 inches. Being under the reel seat, it is in a position not to take much strain. If your intended location of extension is in a position where it is subject to more bending stress, then I recommend a ferrule extension or a full oversleeve.

I do a number of extensions. Almost always its to have a longer version of something that is available. A 7'6" version of a MB844 for instance.

All had the joint hidden under the reel seat or the grip.

I've used graphite rod blank, woven graphite tubing and aluminum tubing for my extensions.


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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

we use them on our beach rods in england and call them reducers ( a removeable extension) its used to lengthen the distance between the hands when casting with a reel in the up the butt ( high) position

One thing to remember when 'extending' a blank in this manner is that it changes that blank to a faster action than it was. If just a few inches are added, granted it's not very noticeable. But the more extension length used, the more you'll want to take this into consideration for the rod's final action.

I've also done several blank extensions without problems. I wrap a fine thread around the joint to prevent split-out and put a thin coat of Permagloss over those threads before gluing the handle & reel seat onto the extension. I just feel it's a bit stronger when doing it this way.

Putter
Williston, ND