Hi Gents,
I made another grip from cork floor tiles and I cored the blank and fitted a 22mm foam core. This ones is just a blank at the moment but it is a similar size to the first one so I got a weight to see the difference. The cored one weighs in at 39.3grams compared to 78 grams for the first one so there is a considerable weight saving so it's worth the effort. It will get a bit lighter when finised but will be smaller than the first one.
Anyone that was worried about the weight of the first one can get a significant weight loss using a foam core as was indicated by JP Timberlake. I'm not worried by the weight of the first one and will use it at some stage.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Hey col. So with these grips you shape as wanted but "bore" the cork out more and place this over the foam core. If so how did you core out the cork. Been working on an eva grip from Billy's blocks so will show you when done. I likes the look of the floor cork

Hi Chris,
I've glued everything up as normal except for one piece on one end. After it is dry I removed the mandrel(1/4") and bored out a 22mm hole using an old drill bit used for boring wood with a hand drill. I cut the end off and used it in a cordless drill. Easier to do if you have a lathe. Then make a core 22mm diameter and the correct length. Glue it and the missing bit of cork in and put in a clamp until dry. Just need to ensure you make the core a few mm's bigger than the smallest size you are turning the grip to.
None of it's difficult.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Col,
You mention that it is easy to center bore a grip using a lathe. Correct.
Here is a picture of the system that I use.
I use a ball bearing rod rest at the off end from the head stock to stabilize the end of the grip.
Then, just use the appropriate sized bit to either match the blank size - or to core out a grip for lighter weight.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Hi Roger,
I didn't have any problem doing it with a cordless drill and I don't have a proper lathe as I don't have the space. Chris, Ray Balmforth and Mark Newcombe have all got them so they would be interested. Thanks for the info.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Col, don't you have the comment " Just need to ensure you make the core a few mm's bigger than the smallest size you are turning the grip to." backwards? If you make the core bigger then the smallest diameter, you will get into the core.

Hi Phil,
You are correct!! I know what I meant but it has definitely come out backwards, appologies to all.
The core needs to be a few millimeters smaller than the smallest diameter of the grip.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Hi All,
Do you guys know a resource for floor tile cork?
I checked Home Depot and Lowes, and found they only carry cork flooring as a special order, and the samples they have are faux cork flooring that is laminated to another material. I am looking for a place to buy a small amount to try it.

Thanks,
George

George Greensboro, N.C.