I am sectioning a one piece 8' blank into two sections and need some guidance in fabricating a ferrule. I know they are available at mudhole, but I want to learn how to make my own and install it.
The blank is UL/F graphite. Thanks

Harry T. Bell

Do you want to make a spigot ferrule, or tip over butt?

Even though the repair article doesn't deal with ferrules directly, you can use a lot of the information there to create a good tip over butt ferrule. You'll want to find some repair stock that gives you 1 1/2" of overlap on the tip end and about as much on the butt end. Using glass stock for the ferrule will result in a more flexible ferrule, graphite stock a stiffer one. The other key will be to chamfer the end of the ferrule stock on the tip end to avoid a sharp transition from the ferrule to the blank which creates a stress point. Make this transition a very shallow angle and plan to over wrap and finish to the end of the ferrule. When dry fitting the sections, make sure you flex the blank and see if there is any movement in the butt section fit. You may have to trim the butt section slightly if it is bottoming out.

Spigot ferrules are a little easier to make but result in a stiffer section in the blank. They require finding thick walled graphite or solid glass stock to make. If you use solid glass stock, you can sand to fit. Most spigot ferrules leave about a 1/4" gap to account for wear.

Looking for others to chime in if I missed anything. This has worked for me.

Terry

On a tip over butt, or sleeve-over ferrule, you'll most definitely want to use a glass sleeve. This combined with the larger diameter of the sleeve will result in a ferrule that more closely matches the power and flex of the graphite rod blank surrounding it.

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This sounds really good. How about the esthetics of a tip over butt, versus a spigot. Does it matter to most? This is a UL/F blank as well, so maybe there will be an issue about wall thickness to accomodate a spogot ferrule. While I've got you, How do you decide where to section the blank? Is ther a reason to make both sections of equal length? Thanks

Thanks Tom

The tip over butt ferrule is stronger and more flexible (if properly made) and is also self adjusting for wear. You'll have to decide if the aesthetics suit you.


You don't have to make the sections equal length. It is a common practice to offset the ferrule towards the butt, making the tip section as long as you can possibly allow it to be within the confines of what you can travel with.


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OK! Thanks a lot. I thought it would be better to locate the section closer to the butt because I think the force, when the rod is under a max load, transfers towards the butt section on any rod.