Hi Everyone,

I'm finishing up a build and the roller tip-top that I had for it is one size too small. The blank is a 16, so is the tip-top, but the taper on the roller is pretty steep and only fits down about half way. So I need to get a size 18.

I need a vintage NOS, or vintage style roller tip-top in size 18... I could even make a 20 work in a pinch. Anyone have one? I'll be happy to buy one or trade or whatever you want to do.

Thanks so much, Jeff

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat drinking beer all day.

Shieldski Customs

Did you clean off all the finish off the area where the top will go

This some times helps for a good fit

Bill - willierods.com

I've taken off all I'm willing to at this point and still no-go. Unfortunately it just won't work no matter what I've tried.

It has been standard practice on most heavy duty offshore and trolling rods to grind down the tip of the blank to fit the taper of the top. Although I've never liked this practice and will generally buy a larger top and shim the front section to fit, you can grind the tip back as long as you leave it undisturbed for perhaps the rear 1/2 to 1/3rd.

Or, get that larger tiptop. If you can find one.

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Thanks Tom,

Unfortunately this really isn't a super heavy duty rod. It is a vintage Penn blank in a kind of mustard color that I found a pair of and I'm building them up to be an homage to some of the classic rods I have on my wall. The roller tip-top is not a must-have but a REALLY want to have to give it the look I want. So I really don't want to grind anything more off the blank than just the paint and that's already been done. I'm on a quest and if I can't find anyone with a stash here I will just continue to hunt @#$%&, etc.

Thanks again, Jeff

Just keep in mind that no roller top will ever match the taper of the blank. All roller tops are patterned on a taper that is far steeper than any trolling blank tip.

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Understood. And my intention will just be to put a couple of tape wraps on the leading edge prior to gluing it up, then my thread wraps and epoxy will take care of the minor gap.

What you'll want to do is dispense with the tape. When you find a top large enough to seat fully on your blank, it's going to be oversized at the opening. So you'll have to shim with something (other than tape). At that point, the easiest thing to do is make your tiptop trim wrap extend under the tiptop opening. If you're lucky, D sized thread will even out the taper and provide a good fit for everything.

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thread would work better on that leading edge other then tape

Bill - willierods.com

"dispense with the tape"... really?? lol Sorry, I work for 3M so I found that pretty funny.

I hear you Tom. Although I would much rather put a simple 1/4" wrap of tape around the blank to shim the opening as opposed to grinding the blank down to fit. Just personal preference.

You'll have to shim at the back end of the top, so any tape there is likely to entertain water. The trim wrap has to go there anyway, so it's just easier to extend it so that it also serves as a shim for the rear of the top.

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Thread will also give you a better bond with the inner tube surface and the tip of the blank when made in large spaced diamonds

Bill - willierods.com

Jeff, I have two old roller tops with a conical tube that has a 18 opening. They are in good shape but, need to be oiled to free up the roller.If your willing to take a chance I,ll send you one. All I ask is shipping charges if you accept. My e-mail is unhidden.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2012 11:14PM by Dennis Danku.