I am building up a spey rod and want to add some very thin trim rings to add some accent to the cork handles. Probably black.
what do you recommend to use and where to get? Thanks



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2008 10:29PM by Michael Day.

I don't know how the others feel but I use craft foam sheet from the craft store. Haven't had any problem. Look at a thin white,black, white for accent. It is one of my favorites and looks really cool in a handle..........Have a good dayMichael.

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

plactic poker chips is another alternative.

or burnt cork!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

The craft foam is a great choice.

This may be an experiment I have to try myself...

...mix some epoxy and tint it with Testors paint (the pigment that settles in the bottom of the jar under the clear liquid medium.). Pour the tinted epoxy into small pools on a non-adhearing surface and let it dry; or pour it into a non-stick cup that will let it spread out evenly and flatly. Next, remove the 'buttons' or epoxy coins, sand them into a rough shape you want, and drill a hole into them to fit onto your mandrel or all-thread rod between cork rings and glue up with Rod Bond. Turn/sand your grip to get a clean and flat edge.

I also seem to recall seeing some black, plastic washers that might be large diameter enough to use as a thin trim band of color...or cut circles from a black plastic case (like for a dvd)...or black plastic trashcan (like the one in my office). Not sure how it would sand down, though; but I'd guess with a fine enough grit sandpaper or even buffing wheel it would shine up okay.

Poker chips are thin and durable and of a consistent diameter.

The list goes on and on...

Good luck and have fun!

Les

Go to an auto parts store and pick up some gasket material. It even comes in several colors. Another I thing that I picked up from Jay Hunt is to use floor tiles. They are cheap and come in a ton of colors and can be glued up and turned/sanded right in the grip. Can probably get broken /chipped ones for nothing from any flooring place.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

EVA strips or craft foam is the most readily available. Just be aware when you turn it, it won't sand at the same rate as cork.

Burnt cork is another easy alternative. You can cut the rings into thin strips. and use it for accent.

Also, I'm experimenting with relieving a band in a cork handle and either wrapping with thread then epoxy, or just tinting finish and dripping it in. This should work great for straight trim but to imitate any angled cuts it's best to laminate pieces then turn.

Terry

From a black plastic CD cover case, you can cut several rings. A good 1/4" paper punch can pop the hole thru the center. These will make a very thin, light and strong trim ring.

From a black plastic CD cover case, you can cut several rings. A good 1/4" paper punch can pop the hole thru the center. These will make a very thin, light and strong trim ring.

Just as extra info, be aware that working plastic trim rings will require a different lathe speed that what the cork will beed - quite a bit faster, actually. Just be careful near the edges where the trim ring joins the cork.

We've found that small jeweler's files are the ticket for this sort of thing.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Michael;
Just posted a sample photo of the commercial floor tile trim rings that Mike Barkley mentioned .

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

how about the wooden checkerboard trim rings offered by Mudhole. they are very sharp and will dress up any handle. there are several colors to chose from and that makes it easy to find a color combination for your particular project