Building a 5 wt. fly rod with a cigar cork handle. What is the best/safest way to open up the butt of the grip for the reel seat.
Thanks

Hey Ricky I use a piece of copper tube that i have sharpened and then cut the inside with a exacto knife seems to do good for me.

I would use a Dreml tool and a light sanding tool on a relatively slow speed to make the cut (after you've marked it, of course) I'm assuming, of course, that you've already reamed it to fit the blank.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

A sharp forstner bit drills a nice hole to accept reel seats. Best used on a lathe in boring mode, you can also use a hand drill. If you don't have the right size, use one size smaller, then finish with a dremel and a sanding drum.

Terry

Rickey,

Dan Craft has a tool designed for this... It's called a "Swifty Cutter". He's on the left, check it out.

Ron.

try [www.dancraftent.com] and check the third page under rod building accessories.

eric
fresno, ca.

Ricky,
Eric has the right link. I found it listed on the first page, middle right. I screwed up the name though, it's the "Crafty Cutter". Sorry about that...

RON.

Excellent tool and worth having if you do this often. It comes with a few sets of blades so you can change the size of the inlet to work with various reel seats.


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