Posted by:
Chris Karp
(---.detroit19rh16rt.mi.dial-access.att.net)
Bingham and Janns Netcraft both offer removable composite fighting butt (made by Pac Bay) the longest is 5" Some modification might need to be made to the threaded insert that is epoxied into the blank/reelseat (Filing to blank and/or reel seat I.D's.)
You can make and shape your own perminant version if you can find a piece of blank to slide into the existing LU blank at the reel seat until it fits snug, then cut to desired length. I would go with no more than a 4"extention and you need at least 3" internal overlap or underlap as the case may be. I wrap the protruding portion with button and carpet thread and coat with epoxy to add strength. I ream to fit the cork rings over this protruding area and then buy a piece of 1-1/4" O.D. 3/8" I.D. straight Eva foam and make a 1" bumper and glue it up just like a cork ring. I also allow the blank to extend half way into the EVA foam bumper to secure it. I have had production composite fighting butts shed their EVA foam. Using a simple hand drill and after reinforcing/ protectiong the internal underlap portion of the fighting butt (from crushing) which will now be placed into the drill chuck to turn. This can be accomplished with a thick layer of masking tape and not tightening the drill chuick too tight helps keep the connecting portion of the add on intacted. Shape to suit, try and turn the foam down separatly form the cork only going over the entire composite butt with the finest grades of sandpaper in the smoothing process. With a 3/8" O.D. brass tube with one end sharpened, cut a plug form a left over piece of EVA and glue in place. Prior to gluing in the plug is a good time to epoxy in lead pencil weight and balance the outfit to a specific reel. GOOD LUCK
