Here is my dilemma. I have a new factory rod with a full wells grip and an inletted aluminum reel seat. I want to change the reel seat and keep the grip. I have read up on the two methods of reel seat removal ie boiling and cutting off. My thinking is that boiling may destroy the grip so I'm leaning towards cutting the seat off. First I would cut into the grip at the point where the seat ends, effectively removing the last cork ring where the inlet is and then remove the seat and last cork ring by using a dremmel. Then replace that last inletted ring with one that came with the new seat and glue it to the existing reel grip with a clamp to get a tight fit. I was thinking of removing the last ring with a razor blade and sanding the back of the grip flat to get a good fit with the new ring. The new grip has a wood insert and that would installed last. I would really appreciate any and all opinions as to the best way to accomplish this job

What brand rod is it?

Winston GVX 6 wt that was factory made with a full wells and small fighting butt. The seat is the same one used on the 8 wt and way too big in diameter IMHO. Replacing with Ballangar with wood insert.

A Winston

leave it alone Sell it Buy the blank and the parts you like and build the rod you want

A shame to cut up that rod

Bill - willierods.com

I assume your going to replace the fighting butt? Once you get the butt off that will tell you how the seat was installed also how much space you have between the seat and rod and that will determine how deep you can cut. Take a dremel and cut lenght wise up to about 1/2" of hood do not cut into hood. Make 2 cuts 180 degree from each other. Now make a cut across the seat and peel each side off. With remaining 1/2" sticking out grasp firmly and give a little twist to test the bond stenght between the hood and seat. Sometimes this is the one place they do not glue very well. If the seat comes loose great if not then you'll have to cut the cork ring and take it from there.
Sometimes it's a good idea to make a jig to run the dremel down if your not steady with the tool.

Hope this helps
Dave East Bay Custom Flyrods

I always use the boiling in water method, and have good success in saving the grip undamaged. The key is to put the reel seat and grip into a heavy poly bag, like Ziplock to keep them dry while boiling. It might take a couple of 10 minute sessions in the boiling water to loosen the reel seat, but not nearly distructive at cutting off the seat and damaging the blank!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/14/2013 09:46PM by Phil Erickson.

Try the boiling water If that doesn;t work then cut

Bill - willierods.com