Hey Gang-

Fantastic articles in the most recent RM as usual. That issue alone is worth a three year subscription.

I have a few questions before I get too deep into these composite skinned grips for those of you who have some experience with them. Specifically, Andy mentions in his article that he likes to twist the excess carbon fiber sleeve and push it into the bore of the grip with the eraser end of a pencil at the time he is doing the wet layup of the carbon fiber sleeve. My question is if the grip can then be reamed as you might normally ream a cork grip. I know the foam reams like butter but just not sure what to expect if I attempt to ream the cured composite skinned grip.

Also, when constructing a split grip for a casting rod with an NPS seat I would typically turn a tenon / shoulder on the grip. I'm assuming I'd be better served by skipping the tenon with a composite skinned grip since the exact diameter and getting a square shoulder may be tricky. Rather, I can have a square grip end and fill the cavity in the butt of the NPS with a foam or graphite arbor. Does that sound like the right approach?

I am using 4 lb, 6 lb, and 8lb urethane pour foam. My lay up resin is West Systems 207SA hardener with 105A resin. I hope these questions make sense. Any help appreciated. Thanks!

Bill

If you take the material that you are using for your tube covering, as it lies flat
(Don’t measure the end the weave is stretched out and you will not get an accurate measurement)
And measure it with calipers, divide that dimension in half.
Then cut your shoulder that much smaller then is needed to fit the reel seat; it will get you just about perfect to glue it up inside the reel seat.

Steve-

That can't possibly work. That makes entirely too much sense!

Okay. I'll try it. What about reaming them - does the epoxied / layed up composite skin ream okay? I'm using both 100% carbon fiber sleeves and the hybrid carbon / fiberglass sleeves.

Thanks!

Bill

Don't know? I've reamed mine before putting on the skin. My concern would be that I would over ream the foam while reaming through the epoxy on the skin.