I'm ready to use some flocked shrink tube to restore a beat up cork handle. Should I cut the tube to length first or let it a bit long and trim after shrinking? This is my first time with this product so any advice would be appreciated.
John

I like to leave it a little longer than the handle because it's difficult to cut even and it does shorten (minimally). After the shrink tube is in place I spin the rod in a rod lathe and use nylon wrapping thread to mark the tube (even it up) then remove the excess.

I agree you dont really know how it will shrink until you heat it. Plus it isnt too hard to cut when on the handle

I use it over lower grade cork all the time on some of the builds I do. Leave yourself some room for shrinkage and you should be fine. I usually put it on before I glue on the grips, but eing that you are going to cover exsisting grips be carefull on the length.

Tight lines,

JH

i would put a little epoxy at each end. I did exactly what you are wanting to do on one of my old factory rods about a year ago, and the shring tube tends to move around a little bit. Im going to cut it off and redo it with a dab of epoxy at each end an maybe in the middle.

Phil -
Look around for smaller ID shrink tubing. The cross wrap type is 2:1 shrink and about 3/4 of an inch in diameter (smallest ID) but there are others including some that are 3:1 shrink that are pre-glued. You should be able to avoid putting any glue under shrink wrap. Or maybe if enough people ask for the smaller diameter one of the manufacturers/distributors will make 1/2 flocked cross wrap available. It is, after all, a demand market.

I have used tons of the 3:1 with the hot melt glue in wiring applications and it is great. I wasnt aware that it was available with the flocked pattern. Where did you find it at? The grip i installed it on had an OD just over 1" so i dont need anything smaller, just need a way to tack it down. . I still have several feet of the stuff i used last time so i will probably just smear a little rod bond on the cork at each end then shrink it down, but for next time the stuff with glue in it would be perfect.

Flocked (cross pattern) is available from American Tackle /Mudhole down to .787 ID as 2:1 shrink, non-glued inside. That could be just enough difference for you. I haven't found any flocked in a smaller ID anywhere. Smearing Rod Bond on the grip will surely work if you want to use up what you have on hand. As earlier - I've been asking for the flocked shrink down in smaller diameters because I put a short length of shrink tube on the tip section of two piece surf rods to make it easier for people to separate the two sections (and keep their fingers off the guides). However as a single customer I don't carry much weight.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/09/2010 09:51AM by Ken Preston.

Ken Preston Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Flocked (cross pattern) is available from American
> Tackle /Mudhole down to .787 ID as 2:1 shrink,
> non-glued inside. That could be just enough
> difference for you. I haven't found any flocked
> in a smaller ID anywhere. Smearing Rod Bond on
> the grip will surely work if you want to use up
> what you have on hand. As earlier - I've been
> asking for the flocked shrink down in smaller
> diameters because I put a short length of shrink
> tube on the tip section of two piece surf rods to
> make it easier for people to separate the two
> sections (and keep their fingers off the guides).
> However as a single customer I don't carry much
> weight.

You might take a look at harbor freight if you have one near you. I found some cross flocked heat shrink in 1/2" and a pretty long roll on sale for $2

Thanks John .... I'll definitely go look !

Went to the local Harbor Freight - no joy in Mudville.