Greetings. I just built an 8 weight fly rod for my brother. I took it out to do some practice/test casting
and noticed that there is a slight separation with the top ring of cork on the premade grip that I used, right
where my thumb presses up against it. The crack flexs open and close with each cast and runs half way
around the handle. Even when the blank is flexed the crack is very small (a hairline crack). I am not sure
by just pressing expoxy up against the crack, it will get far enough in. Are there any tricks I can use to get the
epoxy in far enough to ensure a good strong adhesion?

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated. Tom

There is no specifies procedure for this but I would tape the surrounding area. get some free flowing epoxy like West System.
Flex the grip to open the crack and work epoxy into the crack with a well cleaned spark plug feeler gauge or other some-such instrument.
unflex and wipe area with alcohl. Other than cutting off and replacing the offending ring I can't think of anything else. The vendor may be able to send you another grip and you can "canabilize the specific ring so there would be no shaping required.
Herb

I'd go with something such as Herb suggests. You should be able to slip a card or thin spatula into the opening and get some epoxy in there. Or, put some in a syringe and inject it into that opening. It won't take much.

Allow the blank to unflex and the cork will close on itself - that's all the clamping pressure you need. Wipe the outside of the cork with some alcohol and watch it for any more that might seep or be forced out. You shouldn't even have to sand anything afterwards.

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

Tom could he not also swell the cork with hot water and use a radiator clamp to squeeze the cork to close the gap. after bonding agent is injected.

Good Wraps Bob

Unlike wood glues, epoxy assemblies don't require clamp pressure for strength - you just want the gap closed for appearance purposes. I think the rod itself, when straight, will apply enough pressure to do that. If not, then a cork clamp could be used.

I don't think I'd use water on anything there.

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

Tom,
I would put the rod in a rod drying chuck, mix up a batch of epoxy and lay it in the area needing filling. Then, I would use a heat gun to heat the mix as the rod is rotating, The heat will thin the epoxy to water like consistency and allow it to flow into and fill any gaps.
Use good judgement in how much to use and keep an eye on it as it cools. Insure that you have the right amount, and if it overflows a bit, insure that the rotating rod does a good job of leveling and smoothing the epoxy for a final finished look.

Take care
Roger

I haven't tried it on cork but I've had good results using thin CA glue in the same situation on wood.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Thanks. This is all good information. I think I will try a thin epoxy, then apply it with a spatula with the
blank somewhat flexed and then apply some heat. Thanks again. Tom