One of my students was packing a wrap on a clamp down reel seat that attatches to the grip. As he was putting pressure and turning the rod he pushed down to hard and made a shallow groove in the cork. Any ideas on how to close the groove up? I tried pushing from both sides, didnt work. I also tryed covering it with 1/4" tape and doing the end wrap over the tape.

Problem is on the end wrap the thread falls into the groove and doubles over, not to mention looks pretty bad.

Vern Metcalf Jr

If the thread will cover this area then I would fill the groove or void with epoxy and then sand flush once cured. Then wrap over on the newly smooth and level surface.

Thanks, Richard. I was hoping to avoid that but it seems to be the best idea right now. I would tell him he needs to start over but hes only 16 so I got to give him a break....lol

Vern Metcalf Jr

You might also be able to fill this with wood putty, smooth, sand and then wrap away.

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Put the handle in water that is nearly - but not quite boling temperature for about 5 minutes.
The cork will absorb the water and swell back to its normal size.

Then, put the rod away for a couple of weeks and let it dry completely. Then, put the rod back in the rod lathe, touch up the handle and it will look like new.

Take care

Roger

p.s.
If you have used only epoxy type glues on the handle glue up, the hot water won;t hurt the glue joints.

If the groove was pressed and not actually cut into the cork, that's a great idea.

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GREAT THOUGHTS! Thanks all

Vern Metcalf Jr