Is it possible to strip an old rod and rebuild it with new parts? I know how to remove the guides but how would I go about removing the reel seat and cork grips? I have an old fenwick HMX baitcasting rod I wouldn't mind customizing and making as light as possible. Is it even worth trying or am I just setting myself up for a major disaster? Any advice would be helpful

The cork grips can be "shredded off" using a pair of pliers then cleaning up with sanding screen/sand paper. It doesn't have to be perfect if the new grips will cover the old area. You may be able to remove the reel seat by softening the epoxy by putting the seat assembly in boiling water. Failing that cutting laterally / length wise through the reel seat ( missing the rod blank) with a dremel abrasive wheel & prying the two halves off with a flat bladed screw driver will (twisting motion not lever action between reel seat and blank) will certainly work. Depending on the diameter of the blank and the taper you will probably be able to slide grips and reel seat back on from the rear of the blank and not have to remove the guides unless you want to re-wrap those as well. If you are removing the guides then install "tip down" (normal rod construction).

Have done it alot, but I would say don't bother trying to save the cork and reelseat. Those items can be removed, if you do a search, there has been alot talked before. Myself I just cut them off the blank and start with all new parts. You might also have to refinish the blank itself, myself the best way I have found to get all the old finish off the blank is by scapping, using a razor blade held perpindicular to the blank and scapping off the finish.

Wow that seems easier than I expected. I don't plan on saving the reel seat or grips so I'll just do my best cutting them off. Thanks guys

Just be careful and do not cut into the blank A wood rasp or even a knife will take most of any cork of. The seat even a hack saw will cut down the center then pry with a screw driver

Bill - willierods.com

Just take your time and do not rush. What type of reel seat? If it is Graphite, just cut it off as mentioned above. If it is metal, use heat like a blue flam from a Butane torch. When I use the torch I do it this way. I place a cold iced towel at both ends of the seat, close by I have a preset pare of Vice grips. Next I apply heat to the grip, moving the flame never let the heat concentrate on one spot. When I first see puffs of steam from ether end of the seat I remove the heat and take the grips and slowly twist. This should break it free. Quickly remove the seat and lay a cool towel on the rod.

Good Wraps Bob

I've rebuilt some older All Star rods and they turn out great. I would definitely remove all the guides and replace with micro guides. Remove the cork handle and reel seat and replace with both a split grip and split reel seat. You should use either an exacto knife or razor blade to scrape any epoxy residue. You can get aggresive with the scraping, but be careful. I've found the best way to remove the guides is to lightly heat the wraps and cut on top of the guide foot with the exacto knife. Factory finish usually comes off easy. Between the split grips you should wrap with thread to cover up the residue from the full handle. This can be a place to add some color, or maybe a tiger wrap, or the varegated thread.....
When you put on micro guides you will need to extend your wrap a little to cover up some of the residue from the old wraps.

This is a great way to bring an old blank back to life. While your cutting and scraping you'll think you're just making a bigger mess, but the final rod turns out very nice. Only drawback is it tends to be a long tedious job getting all the epoxy scraped off and my behind stays puckered up while I'm cutting the reel seat with a dremel.

Todd

check out Raymond Adams site [www.rodbuildingtutorials.com] I am sure you well find all the info you need

Good Wraps Bob

Thanks again guys. You know Todd, you nailed it with your suggestion on what I should do with the rod. I'm planning on putting on micro guides, split grips and a split reel seat and filling the spaces with a tiger wrap.