I am going to do a tennesee grip on my next rod and am looking for some advice.I am building this as something different to try from the
norm well here in Aus anyway.I already have 2 graphite rings and i take it that these are pushed up over the reel feet and will tighten
hopefully and not move around.Just wondering if some rubber or burl rings where the reel will sit would help.And how tight a fit should
the rings be just snug or a bit loose.If anyone can think of anything that i have left out please let me know.Thankyou in advance.

cheers

Ray Balmforth
Figtree
NSW
Australia

Ray,

The rings shouldn't be loose with a lot of play, but they should still slide easily on the grip. I would think you would want the OD of your grip to be within a quarter of a mm ~0.01" of the ID of the slip rings. When you put them over the reel foot, the deform slightly and tilt a little to stay put. The burl or rubberized cork may hold up a tad better over time than regular cork, but I've only used the slip rings on preformed grips designed to be used with them.

The rings are great for lighter pack rods, but I wouldn't feel comfortable using them with line above 8lb. test. For lines over 8lb., I would consider a slightly more permanent option. Bill Stevens offers up a great solution involving strapping tape, shrink tubing, poker chips and tooth picks. Or, a less involved method of a couple wraps of strapping tape, and teflon tape used for taping threads on pipe fittings.

Joe

Thanks Joe for your response.Yes the rod will be used for 3lb braid and throwing lures up to 3grams probably should of put that
in my original post.I have never seen one in the flesh so i was interested to build one and see how it goes.I am just worried how
well the rings will lock in the reel and if there will be any movement.

I will probably put in some alternate rings of burl roughly where the reel will be sitting for wearing and asthetics.

cheers

Ray Balmforth
Figtree
NSW
Australia

Ray,
I build a lot of Tennessee style handles.
I don't like the feel of rings on the rod and never put any rings on the rod.

Rather, I just use plastic tape to tape the reel to the rod. I keep a roll of tape in my tackle box, in case the tape needs to be refreshed.

Depending on the size rod and reel, just use enough tape wraps to hold the reel securely. You can tape up any reel to hold the reel securely, if you use enough wraps.

For most wraps - about three wraps around each end of the reel is sufficient. The nice thing about using tape, is that there is no bump under your hand or fingers.

Use what you like. Great way to make your rod lighter. i.e. all cork and no reel seat on the rod.

Roger

Thanks Roger i will probably go for the rings at this stage.It will be interesting to see how much lighter it is compared to a
conventional rod.I have never seen one in the flesh just remember seeing a few in magazines when fishing light lures for
bream started off.Who knows maybe able to repopularise it.

cheers

Ray Balmforth
Figtree
NSW
Australia

I have sanded the Inside of the rings to give a little more grip I used 220 Seemed to work

Bill - willierods.com

Ray,I share Roger's view. Several of my own, personal, high quality rods are Tenn. grips. My favorite SCV walleye rod has a Tenn grip and I don't particularly like the feel of slip rings. And Tenn grips are super light. I use 'Waterproof Adhesive Tape' that I cut in thin strips. A couple of 4" strips on each foot holds nicely. Quick & slick.

This stuff is good to hold on the reel and doesn't leave it sticky. [www.tommytape.com]

Thankyou again guys for all the info.I will be taking all of it on board.


cheers

Ray Balmforth
Figtree
NSW
Australia