Something that's irritated me for a while, and I've tried several ideas with less than ideal results; at least once a week I'll have a boat rod in for repair that I put on my rod lathe, only to have the chuck loose its grip on the tapered gimbal during the re-wrap.

I guess i need a suggestion to make a thin set of soft jaws if that will give me a better grip on the tapered stuff, but thought i'd ask the experts before i start more trial and error.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"

Wrap the gimbal with a few wraps of electrical tape. The jaws will have a little something to bite into.

Lance

Masking tape a piece of paper towel wrapped around the gimbal. easy to get off too.

In addition to the aforementioned tips,its a good idea to build up the very bottom end of the gimble to match the OD at the upper end of the gimble. Less likliehood of it wanting to travel on you.

Wrap rubber bands around the gimbal, it should hold up fine.

Hose clamp around the chuck jaws, can't wait to get the new Batson replacement.

The ALPS chuck is a HUGE improvement (I bought two one for my AmTak and one for my PacBay) - but any/all chucks will slip on a tapered gimbal. Any of the suggestions that build up the tapered end of the gimbal above will work.

Walt,
Just wrap the undersized section of gimbal with blue low tack masking tape before chucking it into your lathe. Also put a couple of wraps of blue low masking tape on the larger portion of the gimpal to give the lathe chuck something to bite into - then just be sure to have the butt of the gimbal built up enough to match the thicker part of the gimbal and you will be good to go.

Roger

Do it all the time with rubber bands, quick and easy but it never slips.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Walt,

I just use a very tight butt cap. Even with the tapered end I have no issues with it slipping off. If anything I have to work the butt cap off the end of the rod but as stated I have never had one slip off while in the chuck.

tight lines,

John Hernandez

I use EVA foam. Comes in all different ID's and you cut about 1.5-2" long pc. and slip it over the tapered butt. Works for me it's reusable and your not wasting all that tape.

Fish Hard,

Captain Mike