I have no idea if this is a good idea. But I have a customer that wants a fiberglass rod, he loves the action of the older ones he has. However i cannot find any fiberglass rods that are for lite line (4lb test), and he noticed that lamiglas makes an all fiberglass fly rod that is 7ft 6in. He wants a 6'6'' or 7' rod. So my questions are can that rod be cut down? If so what end should i cut from, the butt or tip or both (he likes the slower action so i would guess to cut from the butt section?). And would this make a good lite action spinning rod? And what should i use to cut it down with? I was thinking a dremel. Any advice would be greatly appriciated, thanks.

Cutting from either end will result in a slower action rod. Cutting from the butt will reduce the power slightly. Cutting from the tip will increase the casting lure weight range a little. You can consider cutting equal amounts from both ends. I would try to limit my cut to the least amount possible.

A cut-off wheel in a Dremel Tool will work fine.

If you're familiar with the Common Cents System you can measure and compare the cut down version (from either or both ends) to the uncut version, before any actual cutting is made.

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I also tape the end right where I am going to make the cut on the tip side of the cut. Couple wraps of masking tape. Stops the material you are cutting from splintering.

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Nick,
If you want a light action rod, and if the rod you intend, has a tip that is soft enough for your needs, simply chop off the butt of the rod as much as you want to achieve the length that you want.

On many light action rods, virtually 90% of the overall goodness -so to speak - of the blank is in the first three inches of the rod.
Cut off any thing on the tip can often completly ruin this very soft and light action. That is because as you trim the tip, the blank thickens, and you lose the light action.

If you are working with heavier action rods, then it could make sense to trim from the tip.

For cutting the blank, I use a chop saw that has an abrasive wheel on it, like a dremel tool with an abrasive wheel.

For various types of walleye rods, which often need a light tip - I have trimmed many many blanks - virtally all of them off the butt and they have come out just fine.

I have also taken a few blanks which need to have a stiffer tip, and slightly trimmed the tip. By this, I mean trimming 1/4 inch or perhaps b1/2 inch off the tip,. On these lighter action blanks, some very very small changes in tip length can result in some very large changes in overall rod and tip action,. So, if you feel it necessary to trim from the tip - do it in very small increments, to achieve the result that you want.

Good luck,
Roger

Dont do it my way
Leave it on floor and let big heavy footed wifey stand on it

You end up with jagged edges

Tom and Roger are both correct.

If you really want to get into this idea of altering blanks.

Try dummy builds, where ALL the components are taped into place, then try casting or loading the blank as the customer requires.

This is pretty boring stuff and can eat up a lot of time, so you need to know your customer is going to pay for the end result.
However it is very interesting as a project, to see the different results you can obtain.

Paul.

I fish therefore I am.
www.hookeduprods.com