Big mistake. Needed to install this aftco reel seat in the down locking position. Installed with rod bond. How much heat is needed to break it free and perhaps save the reel seat? Hair dryer doesn't do the job. Suggestions?

Boil it...

Boiling water is the safest bet because it will keep you from exceeding the safe limits of the resin in the rod blank.

If that won't do it - cut the seat off. If the seat costs more than the blank, cut the blank and bore it out of the seat.

...................

Thanks for the replies. Boiling it? Will the epoxy soften enough so that the seat will just slide off or does it take a lot of effort? Pliers needed? How do I get that rod into a pot of boiling water?

you need a very deep pot of water... Like what Tom says... it might not work sometimes depending on the adhesive... i suppose. Else saw it off, unless it is aluminium....

I once removed some reel seats off of st. croix rods. Their glue wouldn't melt in boiling water, but they use the flexcoat type arbors and that fell apart. So if you used them it will come apart, but takes a lot of force.

Just did this yesterday while refurbing an older rod of mine. I removed the reel seat will a Dremmel tool using one of thier cutting wheels. I cut a line down the length of the reel seat being careful not to cut to deeply and into the rod blank. Once a line or two are cut then insert a standard screwdriver, the wider the tip the better, into the line that was cut and carefully twist the screwdriver. That was enough the break the epoxy's bond. I was then able to slide the reel seat over the rod and off. I suppose you could actually break-up the reel seat also but that wasn't necessary in my effort.

Good luck!

Thanks guys. Now I have to see if we have a pot that deep. I may have to go borrow one from a restaurant client.... lol

Use a strap wrench to twist the reel seat after boiling it. that way you won't mare the seat.

As said above boil it. If the rod bond isnt fully cured yet and still a little soft, it should break away with some force. Last one I did used boiling water and a vice with high density foam to protect the seat, grips and blank. In general epoxy LOVES to hold on from a pulling motion, but has very little torque resistance. If you cant get the seat to twist, there is a good chance its not coming off and the dremel idea is your next best bet.

Thanks. Good idea. I think I have a strap wrench lying around somewhere. I tried the pulling and that doesn't work at all. Will try to loosen with a strap wrench. How much time in the boiling water? Can I overdo it? Don't want to damage the blank.

The good thing about using boiling water is that the temperature of the boil simply CAN NOT exceed the temperature at which the resin holding the blank together will break down. (Thank you Tom Kirkman for that tidbit as it is VERY useful)

Be patient while you boil it and don't scar up the seat with pliers. Rodbond will soften sufficiently, if boiled long enough, to allow you to use your hands and hotpads to pull the grip off. Slow and steady is the ticket.

I will give it a try tonight. Hopefully it will work. The information given here is very much appreciated. I will boil it long enough and will see if it will come off. Remember, be patient....be patient....be patient. Thanks all.

Have fun Mel... remember to keep the blank away from the edge of the pot... the rodbond soup might taste good after sometime LOL.

Well, it was no fun and no love. I feel like the wolf that could not blow the brick house down. Boy, one thing that is good is that the rod bond is really tough stuff. And who said that the masking tape bushings are no good to use...won't hold......lol I think that the problem is that the aftco #1 seat is such a tight fit onto the blank. Only needed about three or four wraps to get a good fit... That is why I did not use the dry wall tape on this installation.

I used the turkey fryer pot which was just enough to cover the reel seat if I put the rod at an angle. And yes, I did put some foil around the blank to protect it from directly touching the side of the pot. Boiled it for over 45 minutes but no love. I put an old reel stand onto the reel seat so that I would have more leverage as the strap wrench kept slipping.

I may either need to take the alcohol lamp to it.... or heat gun...or cut it off. But one way or another, it will come off tonight after work...In the meantime, any suggestions would be helpfull and gratefully accepted.

Mel,

Try alternating the heat with an ice bath. The hot and cold treatment helps with those stubborn epoxy removal jobs.
It seems to be the temperature extremes rather than a sudden change, so change the temperature gradually.

Ed

This is a first for me. Alternate Heat and then Cold? Going home soon to try.

Yes, thermal shock causes quick expansion and contraction of material that sometimes is enough to fracture the glue itself.

No luck last night. I'll continue the hot and cold treatment for a bit more and then its the dremel to cut it off. This rod bond is good stuff.