Alright...so this fella gives me a Shimano TLD25 to repair and I fix it. The reel is attached to a Sea Striker Billfisher Rod. I notice that the reel seat is very loose, and spins from side to side on the blank. The rod has Sea Striker/Star's version of a slick butt. Not sure what kind of material it is(but i kinda like it), but my question is this:

Can the original butt be cut/pried/removed from the blank (from the bottom), then the reel seat removed(from the bottom), and then I can replace the reel seat from the bottom up, followed by a slick butt from the bottom followed by a gimbal?

Thoughts? I might have to go a reel seat larger possibly?

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Unless a submerge in boiling water breaks the bond on the plastic butt, you might be better coming off the front. If the seat ID is large enough, you may not loose anything more than the foregrip.

There is another half-way fix that might work, although it's really not a terribly sound method, but could work a while in a pinch. Drill a small hole in the back of the reel seat and use a syringe to insert some liquid epoxy inside. Put a little in and stand the rod on its butt. Let that set then do it again but this time set the rod on its tip.

While not anywhere close to a proper fix, it can sometimes "stick" the seat well enough for a few seasons. Maybe. Just depends on what he wants and how much he wishes to spend.

.................

Jesster,
Any thing is possible.
The big question is whether you can remove rod components with out damage.
If you start on a project like this, it would not be a bad idea to have replacement components on hand, in case one or more of the components were damaged.

Generally speaking, heat is the answer to getting things loose on the rod. This may be in the form of hot water, a heat gun, or even a torch. But as is the case with any thing, you really need to take your time and be careful in the application of heat along with any force or tools to do the job.

The gimbal should come off all right, by heating it up. Then, wrap the gimbal in a rag, to keep from marking it, and twist it off with a twist of the wrist of a glove covered hand, or possibly the use of a pair of pliers. Remember the rag to protect the gimbal.

With respect to the slick butt. You can try hot water - i.e. boling water for 10-30 minutes to see if you can get enough heat to the glue to soften it. If so, the butt should come off from the butt end of the rod. The same is true of the reel seat.

But, as I cautioned you a tthe beginning of the post, have replacement components on hand, if any component is either damaged or broken during the removal of the component.

Take care
Roger

An alternate method is to cut the rod in two at the center of the reel seat. Remove the offending reel seat . Then make an inner sleeve out of a scrap piece of blank to join the rod back together. Size the reel seat bushing to the blank and the glue up the whole thing all at once making sure the epoxy is thoroughly distributed. The reel seat and bushing will act as an over sleeve to strengthen the connection. I have done this several times ,a few on heavy salt water rods , and have yet to have a comeback.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Fred- That's a great idea, I never would have thought of that. I have a rod with a loose reel seat I really don't want to re- wrap and grip, I may try that. Thanks.

Not my idea. I got it from Jesse Buky, A long time rod builder from I believe Virginia. Haven`t heard anything about him in a long while. I hope all is well with him.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Not my idea. I got it from Jesse Buky, A long time rod builder from I believe Virginia. Haven`t heard anything about him in a long while. I hope all is well with him.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Or, after further investigation, I may be able to send it back to manufacturer under their 5 year warranty??