Looking for your guys' opinion. I am working on a couple gifts for a upcoming wedding...of course last minute...and I screwed up the handle and have a gap inbetween the seat and lower cork (about 1/4 in). Don't ask...just one of those lovely goofs. No guides are on yet.

My question is, do I remove everything and start over with a new handle assembly (en route from mudhole), or just remove the bottom cork, trim the blank 1/4 in and put the new handle on?


Thanks for any advice / opinions....

I would take it off and replace it
Just take your time

If this is behind the seat and seat is glued on you can slide it on from the butt

Better late and nice

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/19/2012 02:43PM by bill boettcher.

If you did a good job attaching the reel seat, it'll be a pain to get off.

I'd strip the rear grip and install a new one from the butt. You'd want to create a straight taper on the blank behind the reel seat by shimming it with thread. You may find that two bands, one on top of the other, right behind the seat, and a single layer band just aft of that, levels the taper.

.............

I'm not exactly sure what you have or what type rod, but as I understand it, there is a gap between the reel seat and the cork and both are glued on. If that is the case, you may be able to ream out a 1/4 inch cork or burl disk to fit the blank at that point, split it and fit it in the gap, glue it in place and then sand it to match the existing cork. I would try that before dumping the whole grip. If the grip and the reel seat meet, but the diameters don't match up right, you will have to remove one or the other.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/19/2012 03:25PM by Bob Riggins.

I should have asked if you had a rod lathe. If you do, just sand down the grip you have now to level. Mount the new grip over that one. That takes care of the taper.

You might as well try Bob's idea first. If you can't get it to work or look right, then reinstall a new grip.

..............

You can also cut the blank, just behind the reel seat and then with a scrap piece of blank, reglue so the grip is tight to the reel seat. Would save you a lot of sanding and grip making time.

Terry

One more easy idea that will look nice too and be effortless......

Fill the entire gap with something like rod bond and get it nice and smooth and nearly, but not quite level with the reel seat. Let cure. Now take red metallic thread (or any color) and wrap over the epoxy. Now put on two coats of thread finish over just the thread and you now have a ncie looking 1/4" trim ring behind your reel seat.

DR

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

I am going to try Duane's idea to start. I used a arbor to fill some space to begin with with expoxy under and over, letting it cure now and then will wrap it with purple (matches reel seat insert) and cover with flex coat. Will post a picture when finished...crossing my fingers.

mask the reel seat edge so not to get finish on

Bill - willierods.com

Andy,
If you are going to fill with epoxy, mix microballoons with the epoxy. The microballoons will result in a putty that is very light but very strong.

[www.fiberglasssupply.com]

If you live in a larger city, these products are readily available in most hobby shops. They are used all of the time in building models.


This product is a great thing to keep on hand any time that you want a strong light filler.

Roger