It has been brought to my attention by (Charlie Smoot) another builder using this design.
That there is one consideration to using this set up that I had not thought of.

So I wanted to post a public warning for those using, or considering using it.

He has found that Creepy Crawlies sometimes like to take up residence and that he has had to evict them.
Something I’d never thought of or has yet to have happen in mine, but I will be keeping a look out for them in the future, and wanted others to be aware of the possibility.

There is a spider in Florida especially, called the Brown Recluse. I had a neighbor who almost lost a finger after being bitten by one, He required months of painful therapy. This is along with the other usual creepy crawlies.

I watch like a hawk because they are there.

I'd advise anyone to use some kind of stick to check for, and to evict them, with a can of bug spray to greet them. C2

Have no idea what this Hot Handle is - don't have the volume of Rod builder. But heck if you could loose a finger, what is so special about this ?

Bill - willierods.com

The handle is not dangerous, at least no more so than your shoes, or gloves, or tackle box, any and all of which could harbor a spider. Such caution should be for anything large enough for a spider to get into - the Hot Handle is not spider specific. It's just open, so a spider could crawl in there, just as it could a million other openings in your tackle and boat.

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

Then I guess fisher people in Florida should not use it. I like my fingers !

Bill - willierods.com

Thought about this during the day and the simple fix is to push a piece of foam sponge in each end of the handle when stored.

Then remove it before you go fishing.

WHEW!!! The only thing I need to worry about is Grizlies and if there is a grizly taking up residence in my rod handle I have other problems. :)

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

What's a Hot Hnandle?

We have tons of brow recluse spiders here in arkansas, so many that you have to pull your sheets off your bed every night before crawling in just to make sure there are none in there. Bad part is that you will not feel it when bitten, just two days later when the infection has long since set in, then they often have to cut a crater in your skin around the bite to stop the spread of the poison. If the bites are near any vital organs then they are especially dangerous.

Bill,

If people in Florida can't use the Hot Handle, then they should stop putting on shoes, using tackleboxes, sticking their fingers in sunglass cases, etc.

I appreciate the word of warning, but this is getting a bit silly.

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

Seriously, what is a Hot Handle?
Tom, ther are 99,000 species of vemonous snakes in the world, 98,999 of them reside in North Florida.

We reported on Steve's Hot Handle in an issue of RodMaker last year (those who don't subscribe will always be a bit behind on the latest rod building items and techniques).

Basically, it's a TN handle that is mounted offset so the blank resides along the top inside edge. And, it's completely open from end to end. This does away with the need for any arbors, making it super light. It also allows you to put a heat pack inside the handle during cold weather, if you wish. Thus the name, "Hot Handle."

...........

If you have a tackle box large enough for a grizzly to get into you DO have problems.

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

What issue ? maybe I have it. I hope ????

Bill - willierods.com

Volume 11 Issue #2