I've been using a Dremel tool to inlet or increase inlet opening for reel seats. Surely you must have some better suggestions. :)

Thanks in advance.

Look here [www.mudhole.com]

Great item, use it all the time.

Get a Crafty's Cutter. They are a great item.

My REC fly reel seat hoods are .93". So I took a 15/16"th hole saw and ground off part of the outside off-set teeth. It makes a much cleaner cut than "the cutter". I then use a 3/4" and then a 1/2" hole saw to cut the hole bigger. Reamer takes care of the rest.
Herb

Someone posted a Flexcoat video recently on modifying spade bits to getting the correct size needed for inlets. this was used with a drill press but could be adapted to a lathe as well. I'm too lazy to look it up but I know I saw it in the last week or so. :-) I looked on the Flex Coat site but didn't see that particular video. If I implement this for the lathe, I'll post some pictures.

Terry

I've tried to buy the Crafty's Cutter from both MudHole and Dan Crafts site but it seems to be perennially on backorder. My other sources don't carry the product. Anybody out there have them?

I have always reamed the cork to fit the round top of the hood to a snug fit, and then used a half round file to shape for the portion of the hood that holds the reel foot. Has always worked well for me.

I have a Crafty's Cutter on backorder from Mudhole and they e-mailed me that they will be going out the first week of Jan. In the past, I have used a Dremer tool to carve out the hood of the reel seat. Works good, but takes time and patience.

I use the lathe and after the cork has dried after glueing, I leave the cork on the mandrel and push about 1/2" off the end of the mandrel and place a Forsner bit into the tail stock and slowly bring the bit into the turning cork. When bit has bottomed out, I pull another 1/2" off the end and complete the hole. Perfectly centered and clean, then push the cork grip back up the mandrel towards the headstock and place other end into the tail stock and finish the grip. Entire process takes ~ 10 minutes.

Pat B.

If you do any wood grips, it is my understanding that this cutter will not work on wood. Some one correct me if I am wrong.

I use this and then hit the inside with a dremel to get the final fit

[www.pennstateind.com]

I use Forstener bits in my drill press. I just caliper the reel seat, match up with the appropriate bit, and go to it. Very easy and does a clean job.