I got a 2-piece tip over butt Lami blank a while ago and never noticed that the ferrule fit was a mess. At that point I had the grip and seat on the butt section and guides taped in place. I joined the sections together to test cast and immediately discovered the loose ferrule engagement.

When joined, the female, seated as far down on the male ferrule as she can go, is too big. There is a hair's width of space between the two, so that they are not fully engaged. The female section seems like it's seated for some of its length, but at the bottom end of the female ferrule the fit is visibly loose and the tip section moves when wiggled.

Learned one lesson from this already: Check your blanks when you get them and address any concerns right away with the seller.

I've read similar threads on this topic but I am still not sure what the best course of corrective action is sinceI've never dealt with this before.

I'd appreciate any advice on how to correct this problem.



Pat

[rodbuilding.org]

The top end of the male section needs to be shortened, until the opening the female section will fully and securely seat.

Trim 1/8th inch from the top of the male section and check for fit. If that won't do it, trim another 1/8th inch and check again. It would be rare that you would need to remove more than a total of 1/4 inch in order to get the proper fit.

There is a much more detailed article in the Volume 13 #1 issue of RodMaker on fixing all sorts of ferrule problems.

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Thanks. Trimming the top end of the male ferrle (this is the butt section), is easy enough. But what about the little rubber stopper that's there now? If I cut the top end of the male ferrule section willI be able to reuse that rubber plug?

Probably. If not, just insert a dab of RodBond or cut a plug of EVA to size.

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You can if it still fits
Or
You can fill the opening with a little rod bond after making sure it fits well
I will always sand the very edge on the -- male -- with 400 just to make sure the edge does not cause any problems
Make sure there is no glue on the blank Clean with a paper towel befor it sets up

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks guys. I'm gonna take a conservative approach to your idea of trimming the male ferrule back.

I've drawn a line on the butt section of the blank 1/8" down from the plug on the male ferrule. I'll start by sanding a little and then fitting the sections together until I get a nice neat fit, and go from there. I will attempt to reuse the plug. If I can't I have some RodBond I can use. Would a dab of silicone caulk work as a plug? Would that work?

Trimming the male ferrule back is the correct method for fixing this. It's bottoming out inside the female section.

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OK, I'll get the scalpel out. I just dont want to take off too much :o

Not sure you'll be very successful with a scalpel. Try this, mark the blank 1/8th inch behind the male top end. Wrap some masking tape around it there to function as a straightedge. Now use the corner of a file, or even a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade, to carefully cut the blank. Lightly round over the cut edge with some fine sandpaper.

Wipe the cutting/sanding residue off so as not to scratch the surfaces when you check for fit.

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Tom,
I was joking about the "scalpel" -- I was going to use a Dremel, but if you think a file or fine tooth saw works better, I have them too.
Thanks for all your advice. :)

A Dremel is fine. It works very well for this operation. I'd still use the tape as a straightedge.

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I have the blank taped at the 1/8" mark as a cutting guide and to prevent splitting. It's a 7' honey glass Lami. Thanks again for your help and I'll let you know how the "surgery" goes.

do let us know how it came out as a lot of people follow this type of problems an would like to know how it comes out

I cut 1/8" off of the end of the male ferrule. I fitted the sections together. The female ferule is still not completely seated. I cut another 1/8" and that made a much better fit. Not perfect, but a lot better. I think it will be fine. I'm going to wrap it, fish it. If it acts up, I'll deal with it. I've read where others have built up the male ferrule with a coat or two of Permagloss to achieve a better fit. We'll see. Thanks everyone for your helpful advice.

--Pat

I cut 1/8" off of the end of the male ferrule. I fitted the sections together. The female ferule is still not completely seated. I cut another 1/8" and that made a much better fit. Not perfect, but a lot better. I think it will be fine. I'm going to wrap it, fish it. If it acts up, I'll deal with it. I've read where others have built up the male ferrule with a coat or two of Permagloss to achieve a better fit. We'll see. Thanks everyone for your helpful advice.

--Pat

You're headed in the right direction. If you need to take off another 1/16th, do it. Once you get it right, it's a permanent fix.

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I trimmed the male ferrule again, for a third time. In total I removed about 5/16" and now the femaie ferrule seats nice and tight.

A hypothetical question: Is there a point at which you must stop trimming the male ferrule back? Would you not reach a point where the increasing diameter of the male ferrule prevents it from going far enough into the female to make a secure fit?

Thanks,this board is a great resource.