I would like to use pre-manufactured cork / composite cork fighting butts on the rods I build. These do not show any holes in the end after completion. However, I have not been able to enlarge the hole to the rod butt maximum diameter so that quality work if shown. I seldom build multi-piece rods, & I cannot turn the completed rod on a lathe.

Can anyone share with me how to ream these "fighting butts" and make a good looking & snug fitting job. I cannot find, locally at least, any multiple sized short reamers. I guess I could make several very short reamers and use a progression of these, but I cannot do a great deal of reaming and keep everything centered.
If push comes to shove, I can turn the composite end pieces with the cork rings and install a plug. I have done that with purely cork ring handles, but they do not seem to be as nice as I want them to.

If you have either a hand drill or better yet a drill press then chuck up a carving burr of the desired size and go to it. You can also chuck the burr into the rod lathe and working slowly, holding the butt by hand, grind out the center hole to desired I.D.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2013 05:42PM by Randolph Ruwe.

I LOVE my dremel for jobs like this.

Used to do it by hand with a rat tail file. The dremel knocks it out quick.

G'day Rex

Click on flex coat in sponsors column on the left and watch the building a fighting butt video might give yoiu a few ideas.

cheers

Ray Balmforth
Figtree
NSW
Australia

How about using the appropriate size drill bit?

mark the bit as to how far you want it go into the butt with a piece of tape around it Bingo

Bill - willierods.com

Depending on the fighting butt length, you may have to use a thread shim, or a very thin masking tape shim where it fits a little more loosely on the blank because of the blank taper, then add winding check. Because you can't taper ream those finished butts, you need to ream the whole thing to butt diameter. If it's a long fighting butt, the blank taper may affect final fitting. That's where the shim and winding check come in. Am I understanding your question correctly?

You could also drill it out and after fitting put an auto interior plug in the end ?? Suppliers also sell end plugs

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks to all of you guys.
FYI - I cannot drill the butt cap centered, & my drilling experience is pitiful, even with new bits. A faster drill speed might help.
Ray Balmforth (above) had the most useful suggestion (I think) when he recommended the Flex-Cote instructional video.
Bottom line, you guys have been a great help with suggestions that can assist "newbies" like me. If / when I find what works best for me I will share it on this thread.

whenever you are faced with a situation where you must choose between the lesser of 2 evils,
try the one you haven't tried before.

With a drill bit that fits the hole already there snugly will help to keep the bit straight You should have what 1/2" to drill
Then ream it out to fit the blank A cap over the hole
Your good to go

Just don't drill into your hand LOL

Bill - willierods.com