I have been building rods for about a year now and still learn something new each day. I assembled a couple rod handles yesterday and as usual, I crammed as much rod bond into the grip and reelseat as possible. Afterwards, I was wondering, how much do I really need? In the quest for light weight rods, I am certain that I can eliminate some weight here. I am sure that I am using too much but fear that too little could cause a loose reelseat or grip down the road. I have tried just a light coating on all mating surfaces but that seems to all come off as you slide the pieces together. So, I ask you all, how much do you really need to do the job?

Thanks, Steve

A thin glue line is generally stronger than a thick glue line. "Cramming" adhesive into a poor fitting joint isn't doing much. Your assemblies should fit closely, and fit well. The thin layer of adhesive simply keeps them in place.

If you apply the adhesive to both parts, and slide them together, any excess will be pushed off and the tiny bit needed for the best possible bond will remain.

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I guess I am not really cramming it into every available space but fill up any space. Fill in openings between arbors, fill up the space between reelseat splines, etc. I am sure that I use too much and would like to reduce that amount considerably. I don't have any poor fitting joints when assembling, I like to think that I have done everything I can to eliminate those with arbors, tape, etc.
Thank you,
Steve

That doesn't really add any strength, only weight. The only adhesive that really matters is that between the close fittings parts. Packing it inbetween arbor spaces isn't really doing anything for you. It's not necessary and adds a little weight that you don't need.

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