has anyone used cork flooring tiles to make grips? they all look to be composites cork in several varied patterns and colors and just wondering it they are up to the task and is any special treatment required?

thanks

I have been wondering the same thing Mike. It sure seems like you could use them. I have been meaning to get some to give it a shot

There are earlier posts in the last year or a bit more of people using many forms of cork from tiles, to poster board material, to cork yoga mats. Cork gasket material is very durable and comes in different thicknesses, textures and colors.

I remember using them being discussed here in the past. Might be able to word a search in the right manner and find something on them.

I've used just about all that has been mentioned including vynal floor tiles. I cut rings with a 1 1/2 inch hole saw

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

They work very well, giving a slightly heavier, but very durable handle. With a couple coats of Tru-Oil, they look awesome too. I cut mine with a hole saw, from 4mm bulletin board cork. If using floor tiling, be sure to get the untreated tiles (no adhesive). Cork gasket, which is rubberized cork, makes beautiful dark accent rings. Combinations of all the above with either burl or regular cork can be done to give some stunning handles. Throw in custom cut pieces using the cork slicing jigs, the possibilities are sweet. Lots of examples on the Photo Pages.

The rings glue up well using the same adhesives as normally used. Many use Titebond III, RodBond or Ultimate Gel Adhesive with good results.

Yes, you can use them. In fact this is where most of the so called exotic cork sold as rings originates. There is one problem with the bona fide cork tiles, however - most have a hard urethane coating on one side to make them suitable for use on floors without wearing terribly. Unless you sand this off, and it's quite a job to do it, you will have very noticeable thick lines between each ring. For that reason you might be better offer sticking to the exotic rings which have been specially ordered and delivered prior to having the surface coating applied. If your time is worth anything, you may find that having to remove the hard surface coating just isn't worth the hassle.

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Those would be the pre-finished tiles Tom. You can buy them raw, raw primed with adhesive, finished one side/raw one side, finished and primed with adhesive. Raw suits rodbuilding best. I use the bulletin board cork because it is most commonly used raw. It is only lightly glued to the boards to make it easier to replace when worn.