I have a customer who wants me to rebuild an old rod but wants a gimbal added to the wood grip. I'm not sure a wood grip can handle it without cracking under load so I thought I'd ask if anyone has tried it?

Phil

Many older boat rods, even those that aren't built with "straight-thru" construction, utilized a gimbal. I would need to see the rod to give you a definite answer, but I suspect you'll be fine.

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Appreciate it. I think I'll give it a go. Its pretty solid so I probably shouldn't be worried about it.

Phil

Hello Philip.

I have done this a few times, I used metal gimbals.

1: Dry fit the gimbal to the butt (on most of mine that consisted of sanding the butt to shape).
2: Next you need to think of where to put the pin so it wont bother you when fishing, then drill your gimbal for a pin.
3: Line up your gimbal on the rod so your guides & reel seat line up with the gimbal slot.
4: Mark the butt through the gimbal holes you drilled, remove gimbal and drill holes in the butt.
5: Prep both the butt and the gimbal for epoxy by sanding both to a water break-free condition.
6: Apply Epoxy (I use U-40 Rod Bond) and install pin.
7: Let Dry.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Phil:
Back in the day I built many a trolling rod with wooden butts, used both metal and graphite gimbals, never re-call any issues with gimbal end, most issues are at the reel seat end due to the necked down area for the reel seat. Make a tight fit, line up the gimbal and reel seat use a good slow cure epoxy like Pro- Coat you should be good to go.

Rich Kline Custom Rods