I'll be using heat shrink for grip but want to know from those of you who have used it whether you glue the blank or not. If no glue does the tubing grip blank tight enough not to move, esp when you have a good fish on. Also, are there any tips or advise you can give to do the heat shrinking.

ken

Most folks put something under the heat shrink - cord, etc. Remember the heat required to shrink the tubing will thin any adhesive you have under there. Also, heat can quickly and easily damage a rod blank. Just be careful. Most products intended to be shrunk onto the rod blank come with instructions.

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I use a lot of heat shrink and I always use an old time shoe makers cement.
The product is called "Barge Cement" and comes in a 2 oz. yellow squeeze tube.
It is manufactured by Quabaug Corporation from North Brookfield, MA.
The heat really helps the glue flow and I never have any lumps under the wrap.
Also, I've never had a grip spin or break free using the Barge Cement.
Hope this helps.......Jon

Jon, thanks for the suggestions....what do you trim the edges of the shrink tubing with? I did one grip with it and had a heck of a time getting clean edges where I wanted them.....

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

I like to use carpet tape under my shrink wrap. It give is a cushy feeling and doesn't let the shrink wrap move.

The hardest part is getting the shrink wrap over the carpet tape with it sticking to it and twisting.

I never use any glue under the shrink wrap, never had any problems.

I use it on saltwater rods and on carp rods. Most good quality shrink tube will shrink to 50% of its size. I use a hairdryer to apply the heat and start from the top of the area I'm working on and work back down towards the bottom of the butt if on a beach rod. A harp craft knife and metal rule will normally give a clean staright cut, but as you heat it you can adjust it and move it slightly to the edge of the arae you are heating it against (reel seat, etc).
Normally do a small wrap to finish off up to the edge of the shrink wrap, then resin over for a very clean finish. You can do the same over the top of the shrink wrap to meet up with the butt cap on the bottom of the blank.