I'm about to build my first large surf "heaver" rod. The rod is a 13' Century C3. The diameter at the butt end is about exactly 1". I plan to put shrink wrap on the butt section and then apply a rubber butt cap over the wrap. My question is would a butt cap with 1" ID stretch enough to fit over the blank and the wrap or would I be better off going with a larger ID?

Jody,
If your rod has a butt diameter of 1 inch, the 1 inch butt cap would fit just fine.

If you have not done the handle, yet, a cleaner installation is to spin the butt grip in a lathe, drill press or with a hand drill and then cut a mortise at the end of the rod to accomodate a butt cap so that the outer diameter of the butt cap would match the finished rod handle.

It is a simple thing to do. I f you had further questions on how to do it, you could check the library or drop me an e-mail at hflier@comcast. com for further information.

Take care
Roger

take a look at the "fish finder" butt caps offered by Merrick...they go well over shrink wrap or cork tape and give a clean look

roger wilson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jody,
> If your rod has a butt diameter of 1 inch, the 1
> inch butt cap would fit just fine.
>
> If you have not done the handle, yet, a cleaner
> installation is to spin the butt grip in a lathe,
> drill press or with a hand drill and then cut a
> mortise at the end of the rod to accomodate a butt
> cap so that the outer diameter of the butt cap
> would match the finished rod handle.
>
> It is a simple thing to do. I f you had further
> questions on how to do it, you could check the
> library or drop me an e-mail at hflier@comcast.
> com for further information.
>
> Take care
> Roger


Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking about using the x flock shrink wrap which will add very little to the diameter of the blank. The plan is to apply it to the rod, leaving a little overhang at the butt and tuck that into the blank, then shrink it to the rod. I would then apply the butt cap over that. I'll use a winding check to bring everything together. So I guess I am just wondering if a 1" butt cap will fit with the small amount of added diameter from the xflock.

It will stretch enough to go over the blank and the X-flock. When you add Rod Bond it will go on even easier.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Jody I have done the exact same thing before and it will go over. No problem

Thanks for all the replies.