Hello everyone,
Awhile back I built a split reel spinning rod on a MHX CB841. I used a Fuji SKSPSM Split Spinning Reel Seat and now the smaller piece (the one closest to the tip) has loosened and spins freely around the blank. I've never had any component come loose on me before so this is a new experience. As I spin it around the blank and move it up and down a bit I notice an adhesive residue remains that I can rub off with my fingers. The arbor that was used in this build was a black one and not the white style that I'm used to using if that makes any difference. If I rod bond it up again I'm worried that the residue might interfere with the bond. It is still a pretty tight fit around the blank. How should I go about fixing this? Many thanks. ~John M.

John,
I would tape off the area where the component is to fit, assuming that you can move it out of the way. Then, use the gray sanding sponge to cut through the gloss on the rod blank and to insure that all adhesive is gone. Then, slide the component as far up the rod that you can to allow you to slip a piece of very fine sand paper between the component and the blank. Use this sand paper to remove any adhesive that is on the inside of the component.

When cleaned up and all sanding dust removed, mix up a batch of slow drying epoxy and make sure that the batch is well mixed. Before putting any glue on the blank, put a piece of tape over the reel slot to avoid getting any glue into the reel seat.

Then, slide the component as far up the blank as you can and apply a generous coat of glue on the blank and work the component up and down to insure that the inside of the component is well coated with epoxy. Then, do the final placement and clean up all excess glue.

We have seen this before when builders overlook the fact that the SK2 and other split seats, unlike a regular seat, have absolutely nothing holding the two pieces together. This can be a problem when someone thinks that a reel should be tightened with enough torque to hold a wheel on a semi. Regardless of the quality of the bond, it is possible to wrench the two pieces apart. My solution is a small thread ramp fore and aft. One ahead of the winding check on the threaded barrel and the other at the back of the rear grip. They don't have to be big and heavy, even a small "block" of thread and finish at both ends will eliminate the problem.