Hello,
First time poster - I have a mid 1970's graphite 9 ft 9 wt rod that has been retired for several years due to a loose reel seat and failing cork handle. Since 2003 I've taken to fishing with spey rods and am considering extending this particular dust collector another 2 ft in an effort to make it into a switch rod of sorts.
I've read just enough threads from other boards to get my self into trouble and thought maybe I should pose this question on a more specific site such as this one.
While lurking here I read your article on Extending Rod Blanks (thank you Tom) which gives me new confidence. So, to remove the old and clean up for the new...does one actually dip the entire handle and seat into boiling water to soften the glue?? Sounds like a quick way to kill the project!
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Boiling water isn't guaranteed to break the adhesive bond. Depends on the adhesive originally used. If you don't plan to save the pieces, you may find it quicker to spiral cut off anything you don't plan to reuse.

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The only time I was succesful in boilg a seat off is with a factory rod that had used masking tape. To get my seats off I use a small butane torch. The foam arbor protects he blank. More importantly all that work may end in disaster anyway. There is a huge force exerted on the rod using it as a 2 hander. My guess is that you will break something. Also, at best, best it will be a so-so performer.
Herb

I have successfully removed many fly rod reel seat using boiling water. If you are not attempting to save any part of the seat, immerse it completely in the water for at least 10 minutes, then try and pull it off, avoid twisting very much. It may take a couple of attempts to get it off. If you are attempting to save a wood insert in the seat, put the reel seat in plastic bag while immersing. As for the grip, assuming it is cork, the hot water method doesn't work as the cork acts as an insulator, just cut it off carefully.

Trying to get a switch rod action out of what you have described, is really iffy!

Thanks Tom,
I expect to demo the entire section below and including the cork.

Herb, Phil, I'll give the boiling treatment a try after cutting off the cork.
I don't expect this to be a great performer - rather a "project" that at some point may get me more involved in the building dept.
On the other hand, I need a stout, short rod to fish a brushy little salmon ditch where back casting space is nonexistent. I'll post how it all goes. Thanks again.