I've never put on a pistol grip handle. I've heard they are not bored all the way through and you put them on with tape bushings like a reel seat. Or do you ream them then plug the hole with a cork plug?

Jason,

I've done a few and I always arbored the blank to fit the pistol grip-no drilling all the way through.. Right or wrong, it works well for me. My last one was a "Super Sticker" kit that carried a 45 degree GLoomis seat with it....kinda nice really, but costly, about $25-30 if I remember right?

DR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2009 02:28PM by Duane Richards (DR).

The pistol grip types are not bored all the way through. So you either shim to fit the blank, or if the bore needs to be enlarged, you do so with a non-tapered reamer. The grip is then slid onto the blank butt from the butt end.

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so you have to wrap the rod and finish then put the handle on the back, or there would be no way to clamp the handle straight. Right?

Jason-
Check Backlash Tools on sponsor list-I think they have a tool for holding the pistol grip so it can be turned with the rod

Jason,

No. The grip is done first. I'm guessing your dryer wont take the pistol grip? If not, use rubber bands to affix it to the dryer. I do the grip FIRST, guides last. You shouldn't need to clamp the grip onto the rod, just make your arbors fit nice and snug. Epoxy the inside of the grip and the rod blank, slide in place and let cure.

DR

how do you use rubber bands to attach it to the wrapper/dryer?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2009 04:51PM by Jason Wenzel.

We outlined how to make your own attachment for chucking pistol grips in a past issue of RodMaker. The tool from Backlash is even more spiffy and for what it costs may be your best bet.

You can always leave the grip off until everything else on the rod is finished. Installing the pistol grip can indeed be the last step.

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It can be the last step BUT make sure you have that reel seat in place if it's arborless!

DR

I have done quite a few over the years and always install the pistol grip last. I usually test fit it early and add one cork ring below the seat early and sand all till smooth. then rimove the handle and build the rod. finally adding the rest of the grip last. ofcourse i glue itto the first ring which is already there and finish sand that seam after drying. I believe dale clemons had a way of using a coat hanger deal in his book to attach to the chuck but backlash looks like the deal if you are serious and don't want to add last. It has always been easiest to me to add last though.

I still make a fair amount of pistol grip rods and always add the grip last after the rest of the rod is completed. It's the easiest and simplest way to do it. Occasionally I get some pistol grip rods in for repairs and the tool that Lynn and Jimi AT Backlash Tools sells is THE best tool I've ever used for appying epoxy to a pistol grip rod.

Lance