Does anyone know where I can find a pair of inexpensive slip rings that have are not circular but that have the reel insert shaped into the ring? I am the adviser for our high school fishing club and we purchased a bunch of St Croix blanks- Cosmetic 2nds- A couple were only 5 feet long so I thought I would try and make a panfish rod out of these "shorties".
I have a Full Wells handle and I was going to cut it, put the rings on, and then glue it back up. Is this a bad idea? Or, should I just put on a regular small spinning handle?

Janns Netcraft and Mudhole I believe have quite a variety to choose from.

I'll admit I don't like the rings and usually use a Batson A16 seat - split with cork in the middle. The rings are typically lighter and more sensitive though. You can also tape the reel on.

Dan I believe Angler's Workshop also carries slip rings. Many years ago slip rings were the only type of "reel seat" used on spinning rods. Since many if not most spinning rods that were built back in the 1950s and 1960s had long grips(12" to 15"), the idea was that one could move the position of the reel to alter your leverage. In practice I never found that to be terribly useful. When I used slip rings, I would shape the grip and glue it in place. Then I would slip the rings on and glue a butt cap on. Good luck with your project

Mike Blommme

Dan,
I would never use slip rings. As a matter of fact, if I happen to pick up a rod that has slip rings on the rod, I will use the dremel and cut them off of the rod.

Rather, I keep a roll of black electric tape in my tackle box.

I locate the location where I want to keep my reel positioned. Then, I will put two wraps of tape where each end of the reel foot will be located. Finally, I will just tape the reel to the handle. If I need to change a reel, work on a reel, or remove a reel, I will remove the tape down to the tape that is UNDER the foot of the reel. I leave this tape on the handle permanently. The reason that I do this, is that if you try to remove well adhered tape, you run the risk of chunking out the handle from the tapes adhesive properties.
If, when fishing, I find an issue with the tape, I add another wrap, or remove what is there, and rewrap the reel foot.

The two biggest reasons that I don't like to use the slip rings, is that
a. I can't trust them from not slipping so I usually end up taping the rings in place anyway.
b. I don't like the bump on both sides of the grip on both sides of the reel foot that you get, by using the slip rings to hold the reel to the handle.

Good luck

Roger

I have a lot of the type you say you need. I would be more than happy to mail
you some for a project involving young people in rod building at no cost to you.
Please E- Mail me @ bobm0400@ optimum.net

Thanks Everyone- My thought was to try and make a light weight in-expensive handle since these blanks are so short. (The kids quickly scarfed up the 6-7 foot blanks. I will probably make a hybrid slip ring system- Using the rings and then taping them in place.
I very much appreciate the tips, comments, and opinions.
Dan