Gentlemen:

Am kind of new at rod building and came across a blank that hasn't been plugged. Am curious as to whether or not the really makes a difference. I've read a few former posts on how to plug but not much regarding the importance of doing it.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

It keeps the end of the blank from going too far oval which in unsupported fashion can result in cracking or checking of the end.

............

Jeff,
I plug all of the ends of two piece blanks.

I take a piece of solid material Typically fiberglass or graphite.

I will cut off about a 3 inch section and chuck it into my drill.

Then,, I spin up the blank in the drill and hold it against the spinning belt sander that is on my bench.

I check the diameter from time to time, until the sanded down piece of material is a nice fit into the end of the blank.

Remember there is a larger section of material in the drill chuck.
I take the material out of the chuck, coat it with 5 minute epoxy and glue it into the open ended blank.
After the glue has cured, I will take my abrasive cut off wheel and chop the end of the filler - flush with the end of the blank.

The total time to do this job takes 2 or 3 minutes.

Good luck

Mix up some rod bond or 5 min
Push it into the hole
Wipe off the end with a paper towel
Put a strip of tape over the end and stand it on that end to dry

Bill - willierods.com

Hi All,

Is this really needed? I to am new and only built a couple rods but did not fill them. Is this going to cause me issues?

Like Tom K said It makes the end that takes a lot of pressur to help stop it from turning to an oval and possible splitting

Just a GOOD thing to do And does not take a long time to make the blank a little stronger
One LESS thing to worry about

Don't know for sure but I would think it would give the rod a bit more power for casting

Also why most recamend putting a thread wrap on the female Helps to keep it from oveling and splitting

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/05/2013 08:31PM by bill boettcher.

If the ferrule fit is good and the blank is well built there is little risk of the male ferrule ovaling. The female ferrule will prevent this from happening. I like to keep it filled to keep dirt and grit from entering. If I lose the factory plug i squeeze some GOOP or 6000 into the tip of the male ferrule for approximately an inch. Stand it on male ferrule end on some plastic wrap and wait for it to cure.
Herb

I just glue in a little piece of "O" ring material, that fits, and cut it flush when dry. That's what the Mfg. uses,, rubber. I figure their R&D trumps anything I know about it.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

J.B.
That is a good idea. So you get a large diameter "O" ring that approximates the i.o. of the male ferrule? The large diameter would minimize the curve of the "O" ring. Do you slip it in from the female side - or - "force" it in from the male side?
that would cut down the curing time of the "Goop" I use.
Herb

Herb; You can buy almost any diameter of "O" ring material in straight pieces for making your own "O" rings. I think we are talking about plugging the end of the male section here. Some mfg's leave it open, others plug it with a piece of rubber. You can buy it in any length and diameter measured in 0.000 of an inch.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

J.B,.
just Googled it - you are correct.
Thanks
Herb