just got a couple ?'s on cork tape.
1. do you install the reel seat first or cork the entire butt section?
2. how do you finish off the top and bottom of the reel seat?
3. how to i figure the total lenght of the butt section? any standard sizes?

sorry these might be a bit elementary but its gonna be my first surf rod build and i havent used cork tape yet.

thanks!!!

p.s. do you have to belong to NERBS to attend gatherings or is it open to the public?

1. You can install the reel seat a couple different ways:

a. cork tape first stopping where the reel seat would be installed. Then install a foam grip/handle then arbor your reel seat and ream out to fit against the foam grip/handle. Then install the top handle/grip then cork tape again then an epoxy ramp from cork tape to blank.

b. sometimes you can cork tape past where the reel seat would go then install your first grip then slide and glue the reel seat to the cork tape then install the next foam grip, then an epoxy ramp

c. Just make sure that the cork tape doesn't have spaces under the foam grips or they will feel spongy (learned the hard way the last surf rod I built and had to cut one off and re-do)

2. I use foam grips but cord or other material can be used

3. it all depends on persons arm length, length of rod, and type of surk rod, and what it will be used for ie lure retrival or bait soaking.

If you need I will send a picture when I get home but there should be some pics of handles in the library.

Good Luck

Dan Grulke

double post... woops...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2011 12:16PM by Gabe Nakash.

sorry fellas.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2011 12:16PM by Gabe Nakash.

To answer your NERBS question,

No you do not have to be a member. We welcome everyone who wants to attend. Rod builders are kind of the only requirement, but even then we have people who just love to fish and see everyone in their own element. Come and you wont be disappointed.

Gabe
Jr. NERB.

Greg; I install The Seat first,Then start the Cork tape right against the Seat a nd work to the Butt. If I an using Cork Tape for the Fore grip I do it the Same Approx 3 X the butt length will give you enough tape(Plus a little in case) I use a Business card and wrap it around the Blank to get the Cut length. Mark it at the over lap and that will give you the angle. I do a short(1/4")wrap at the reel seat to finish and secure the ends and coat it with epoxy

To answer your question about the NERBS. It is not a club, Nothing to join, There is a charge to come to a gathering which is basicly to cover the cost of food and drink. ( if you go away hungry you can only blame yourself) . The NERBS are a group of rod builders that set out to share info and show technics to builders who want to learn. There are enough different builders style wise to answer nearly any question you have. From simple how to do cork tape and grips to blank painting and carbon fiber to guide layouts and Dec wraps and EVA fancy Dec grips (from the master Billy). If you leave a gathering hungry and with no info.. it's your fault!!

Greg, shoot me an e-mail with any questions that Gabe & John haven't answerred already. The gatherings are a lot more than just rodbuilding, they are a lot of fun, we eat well, and there's a lot of non-rodbuilding talk abotu fishing and general man @#$%& if there is a particualr topic you're not interested in hearing about. Teh format of the gatheirng is loose, it's not a classroom or a lecture or seminar, it's really intereactive so it's not weird/awkward if you want to walk away. lol, it's also fun to watch me drink beers at 10AM and have everyone cracking jokes on me, lol.J/K.