new member here, with rookie question, ordered kit to build my first rod, had the blank for some time.
8'-6" 3 pc 5 wt, Ordered corresponding kit, complete with reel seat, guides, and materials to finish. The butt measures 27/64ths. The hole in the walnut insert measures only 23/64ths, is that correct. I was under the assumption it would be larger and would have to fit build up bushings under it. but looks as though I will need to ream. Is this correct or did I get the wrong insert ? I haven't called supplier yet, just didn't want to sound stupid I guess. I'm exited about this first project, avid fly fisherman who wants to be able to build a custom rod that I can be proud of one day, this is a first time project.
thanks Eric

Hello Eric,
It is not unusual for the inside diameter of a reel seat to be larger or smaller than the butt of a fly rod blank. Fly rod blanks come in a variety of outside diameters, and reel seat inserts come in a variety of inside diameters. So you will need to ream out the wood insert to slightly larger than the butt diameter. As you do so, be careful to keep the hole well centered so that the finished reel seat is centered on the butt of the rod.

Good luck with your build,
Jeff Shafer

Also be careful not to ream at a high speed, I have had some customers who split the wood using a high rpm dremel tool. Take your time and the ream should be no hassle at all.

Chase Foster
American Tackle
www.americantackle.us

IMO' I would send the seat back and get the next size up to fit the blanks outside diameter, with bushings.Did you check the hoods on the reel seat to find out if they fit the reel you will be using, if so you could ream it, but why take the chance unless you have a lathe.

Wes.

Thanks for the quick responses. I will take a look at the channel for reel foot, and see if it is correct fit. Also any advise on a starter set of reamers , decent quality at a good value?
thanks again
P.S. I'm located in Clover,SC right outside Charlotte,NC fly fish mostly for trout in the mountains.
Eric



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/2007 11:25AM by ERIC BURKHART.

Eric,
You didn't mention whether your reel seat was pre-assembled, or whether the seat was received in separate components. If the walnut insert is separate from the hardware components all you need is about a ¼” round file and you can stroke the inside of the insert to enlarge the inside diameter. Do this prior to assembling the reel seat. It appears from your original post that you won’t need to remove much material.

Jeff Shafer