Curious! Has anyone tried the X-Shrink tubing to attach reels to a Tennessee handle?? I would think that if you cut inch or two tubes of it it would be quick to install and easy to cut off. The only question would be is would it be tight enough?

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2011 02:33PM by Mike Barkley.

measure diameter of blank ........think.............re-measure......... think again.........measure ID diameter of shrink tube....... Remember shrink is a little LESS than 1/2 original diameter........ and it will work. Best to cover beyond the reel foot ... remeasure so shrink tube fits blank snug

Saw bunches of ice rods like this...including St. Croix this year.

I would think you wouldn't have any problems especially on lighter rods but it would all depend on the shrink tubing one uses. There are some industrial shrink tube used primarily in the wiring and cabling industry that is quite tight & strong. The only downside with some tubing products is the amount of heat needed, availability, & price however.

If one is concerned with the reel not being tight over the long haul you could always use a few thread wraps and then use the tubing to conceal the wraps and provide better comfort and ascetics. If I were to try this I probably would use a single piece of tubing with a small slot cut into it, slip the reel foot into the slot, then shrink it down. I might even flock the tubing! Nice, warm, & comfortable.

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

I like the slit idea, Raymond! I need to order some tubing!!!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Mike,

Go ahead and order some of that X-Flok type tubing. I think I have some industrial stuff and if so, I'll send you a piece to check out too.

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

Now that I've thought a little more, a tiny hole would be better than a slit. As the tubing shrinks a slit could tear & split the tubing. A tight fit around the foot prior to shrinkage should work best.

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

Mike, I tried this about 3 or 4 years and did the exact same thing that Raymond said. I cut the smallest hole I could to get reel foot in and used a heat gun to shrink it down but after using this setup for a few weeks the reel started working loose. If you could find a better type of shrink tube it might work better.

Mike , I can tell you first hand that just by shrink wrapping the reel in place alone is not a solid mounting. I have done it and the tubing does stretch after awhile. Before you know it, after every cast you have to realign the reel with the guides and when fighting a fish the reel is wobbling on the cork handle.
The only sure way to utilize shrink tubing over a reelfoot would be to secure the foot to the handle first, by ether wrapping with electrical or TOMY Tape. But, when its done this way it leaves a bulge in the foot area.
Still, after shrink wrapping it is much more comfortable than an exposed foot.Sure Grip is the name of the shrink tubing I prefer.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

I use about three rounds of the filament box strapping tape on each side of the reel foot and then cover with the shrink tubing. That fllament strapping tape is tough stuff. You have to cut it to be able to use it. It won't rip or tear like other type tapes. When you cinch about three rounds of that on and then apply the shrink over, the reel won't go anywhere.

Bob McKamey
bobm@mudhole.com

I did this without ever seeing or hearing about it for a customer, only it was to be put over the slip rings for more comfort....he didn't have a heat gun to affix the x-flock shrink grip over the feet, so it was a no go. St. Croix is selling their ice rods with the x-flock shrink grip in ring form to be shrunk down.

Mike,
For all of my rods using a Tennesse handle, I simply keep a roll of electrical tape in my tackle box.
About two wraps of tape on the front reel foot and the back reel foot and you are set. If the tape every gets loose, and or dirty, take it off and put on a fresh wrap. Simple effective and looks essentially the same as the heat shrink.

Roger

Bob McKamey Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I use about three rounds of the filament box
> strapping tape on each side of the reel foot and
> then cover with the shrink tubing. That fllament
> strapping tape is tough stuff. You have to cut it
> to be able to use it. It won't rip or tear like
> other type tapes. When you cinch about three
> rounds of that on and then apply the shrink over,
> the reel won't go anywhere.

Exactly! Even two wraps is sufficient. Do this under shrink tube or electrical tape. Do not over stretch the electrical tape. You will have a sticky mess later on. Use good, 3M tape!

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Have used the filament tape for several years and have not had one reel move at all. You could use shrink wrap over it but too much heat might cause the adhesive to break down. I usually use only enough to get a good stick, maybe one and a half time around the grip then cover with a good black tape, usually 3-M. I think the shrink wrap alone will allow the reel to move within a short time.

Thanks for all the help! Will post when I do it!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!