Going through my parts and randoms, I came across a .98 12 in carbon fiber tube. I was going to make a straight Tennessee handle with it but was looking for inspiration/ideas to make something unique and different. Does any one have any ideas on things to do with this handle/tube??

Thanks
Mike

I could see an inlaid auto/team emblem. maybe a small nine ball or even a small inlaid cue-yep I like pool! may do an inlay in butt cap also..the little coclorful hat p[ins may go well. hey you could put a bit of irish linen wrap/leather fore and aft of reel;/seat. that diameter tube should fit well with rear of 16, 17, 18 mm casting seats. I know some diameters match well. post pics when you get 'er done.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2015 05:25PM by woody osborne.

cut it and put in some really highly figured wood in there and on the ends. Or you could get some scrap Corian and turn it for accents.

you could offset the handle to make it more ergonomically comfortable. like the one on the cover of Rodmaker Mag, Volume 10 Issue#4 or go even further and try the hot handle set up.

I like a lot these ideas.
What exactly is a hot handle set up?

Basically, it's a TN handle that is mounted offset so the blank resides along the top inside edge. And, it's completely open from end to end. This does away with the need for any arbors, making it super light. It also allows you to put a heat pack inside the handle during cold weather, if you wish. Thus the name, "Hot Handle."

Volume 11 Issue #2 Has a short article on it

Steve, always wondered....do use a little fiberglass cloth....or just reley on epoxy alone for bonding blank to carbon tube? If used for salt water what # class would you trust it too?

If a spinning rod.....is blank closer to reel stem or your palm?

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Russell; If goal is to only offset handle I have used fiberglass cloth but prefer graphite cloth. always against the palm. (for most people the palm is more sensitive then fingers)
When Building building specifically for hot handle purpose. I prefer to start with cloth and form both the inside and outside of handle. I have found the end product to have a much cleaner professional look.

I even did one where I put the reel foot in side the outer layer of cloth. Is awesome sensitive(I love the rod!) but because of the way the cloth weave pattern stretches n distorts around the reel foot it is not aesthetically pleasing.

In fact took to that rod to Mr. Kirkman's office to show him what I was working on and how my "looks wise" failed attempt turned out. Now it may be total coincidence. But the next issue of RodMaker Mag, had an article on "Fit and Finished" that I may have inspired by the lack of fit and finish on that rod.
Only he can say whether my theory is correct.

Russel only use this set up on spinning rods.
If you offset then use an arbor in each end as outlined in the first article it will handle any weight class your blank will.

If using tubing to build hot handle with end open? I'm not sure, but have yet to have one fail.

If starting from cloth on inside and out again I would say it will handle any class the blank will. Now if I were building for marlin or thousand pound Tuna I would most likely add a couple layers of cloth for strength.

Thank you Steve. You are kind to share your trade secrets. I do have that volume of rodmaker but doubt I can find it for a host of reasons. Didn't recall it being obvious you were "laying" up the handle from scratch with graphite cloth and epoxy. I'm thinking you would want some type of "form" to insure roundness of completed handle. Having some problems wrapping my mind around the process. Wishing I could see it in person.

Greatly admire your work ethic. Even a little ashamed "offshore" crowd is so resistant to change.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Sounds like a awesome idea but in cold weather I stay in and build more rods. With the blank closer to the tube, does the rod feel a lot different?

Other question does any one happen to know if it would back up to a sk2 casting seat (trigger half) flush or close to it?

The article on fit and finish was not inspired by anything Steve did or didn't do. Most of his work I've seen has been pretty darn good.

Proper fit and finish is just a common aspect of custom rod building that is overlooked by many who can't figure out why their rods don't demand top dollar. Among that type clientele, it's the little things that either make you or break you. The fact that it appeared in the subsequent issue to the one with Steve's handle it in was pure chance.

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