In as much as I've searched the internet for ice rod handles or any handle for that matter with a small bore hole.....I found a store on the net that sells solid cork disks in 1/2" x 1.25", but I swear they are out to make money on shipping, a $26 order turned into $50 after shipping(quick, click cancel order and close your browser!). I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I need to glue my own rings to get what I want. No problem there, I've done it a few times before. The problem is the small bore hole. In a previous post it was mentioned that some bore the center out of a .25" down and use it as an arbor. I don't have that option readily available as I have no lathe. So how do you take up space? I got to thinking, yeah, I could masking tape the blank, but I've pulled masking apart a grip on a custom rod that was built that way. Do I epoxy the holes shut and then re-drill them? This sounds good to me, but what would you recommend for this job? Ground up cork pieces, wood putty, rod bond? I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.

Andrew

Andrew,
If you do a bit of searching, you can find cork rings that are either shipped with no hole at all, or with only a 1/8th inch hole.

Also, don't discount the use of EVA preformed foam handle for an ice rod. Foam makes an excellent handle for ice rod use in the cold. Very forgiving of the cold weather and it is quite easy to obtain foam grips with 1/8th inch holes in them for about $2 each.

Take care
Roger

Jann's Netcraft has cork rings with 1/8" hole ID. As I type this they're in transit, so I cannot attest to the quality of the cork.

Wade, I feel like a dunce....I looked over that site and missed it.....And I just put in a guide order with them a few hours ago.....if you could let me know what the cork looks like when you get it?

Jan's also has a 10% discount on all purchases until Thursday.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Andrew, If you have an NPS 16 real seat, use that and make some short fore and aft pieces to support the blank. I make the tenons any where from 1" to 1.5" and it works great. Put some epoxy on the fore and aft supports and you are good to go. I believe is should give you an idea of what I am talking about. [www.rodbuilding.org]

Looks great mark, I'll try that on the medium to light rods. These guys are big game guys, I'm sure I'll throw that one their way to have them test it out. They like the extended handle, about 5" back from the seat. I did go ahead and order the cork from Janns, even if it's not what "I" like, these guys know nothing of quality, throw a colored foam ring in there and that's all they will see and it'll wow them pretty quickly. I'm hoping some day they will be able to critque my work instead of just looking at it all amazed that it's better than factory.

Andrew,
Another source to consider is the use of solid wood handles.
There are quite a few sources for pre turned and prefinished handles with small holes through the bore.
Take care
Roger