Given the absence of a production reel seat arbor, is there any reason not to use cork rings turned to the proper size? I like the Flexcoat arbors but don't have the size I need and I'm not particularly fond of using tape. If cork is good, will three rings be enough, each end and center?

Mark Boggs

Springfield, OR

I would use a full length arbor of what ever material used but it somewhat depends on the type of seat and rod.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Agree with Ray,
Full arbor - whatever you use. The more blank/arbor/seat contact the better. But to answer your other question - cork would be fine. But if you have to turn the material anyway why not go with something designed for the job.

If you go back a couple decades, cork was the primary material used for arbors and seat bushings. It'll be fine.

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

If you have an arbor that fits - very close - you can wrap it with A or D thread to take up the space

Wrap the thread in a large space or diamond so the glue -glues the arbor and the seat.

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2010 09:17AM by bill boettcher.

@#$%& has arbors up to 30mm if you are turning something down why not turn down an arbor?

We actually prefer the arbor in sections, with a slight gap between, the idea being some of the epoxy will fill past the ends of each arbor piece and be bonded directly to the blank.

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

Mark,
I tend to keep some of my "scrap" cork rings for use as arbors. i.e. cork that is not of good enough quality to use as a handle, work very very well as an arbor.
One of the things with poorer quality cork, is that there are voids and or holes in the cork. This type cork actually excels as an arbor since the voids and holes actually work in your favor to hold glue and actually make a better arbor.

I have used cork for quite a few arbors when I had either run out of arbors in the middle of a build, or the middle of a long shift and needed to get the rods out right away, or when I was using a reel seat, where there wasn't a nice fitting arbor available.

Really a very good use for cork that you consider to be of too poor quality to use on a handle. Use the cork as an arbor and you will be in good shape. The cork is nice and light and if machined to a nice fit on the inside of the reel seat, makes perfect arbor material.

Roger

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

Mark Boggs

Springfield, OR

Mark,

The fiberglass tape is a good option, it's drywall mesh tape. A roll goes a LONG way and it works real well with no "getting wet and coming apart" issues like masking tape can have if not properly sealed. I've also turned down the plastic thread spools if you have the older solid style or the wooden ones. Truth be told, there are many things around the house a lathe can turn to make a good reel seat bushing if need be.

DR