Hi All, I am gathering parts information for a surf rod build and a problem popped up, the surf blank that I want to build is -MHX- SU1208F 10' 2pc has a butt of .776, all the reamers for the handle only go to .52 with the exception of the ultimate reamer which is way out of my catagorey. Wonder if Herb or any other surf rod builder has a solution to what they do, worst case scenario I can always choose another blank with a smaller butt, Thanks a million Nick R.

www.mudhole.com/search?keywords=Reverse pilot drill bit

These may better suit your budget.

On a personal note,I use old rod blanks. I simply tape off a spiral and then coat the gap between the tape with contact cement and let dry. I cut strips of sandpaper to match the width of the gap. The backside of the sandpaper is then coated with contact cement,again,allowed to dry. When both the blank and sandpaper have dried,I place the sandpaper over the contact cement on the blank,pressing it firmly in place. Then I roll it on a flat surface under pressure. Remove the tape. Now I have a pretty solid reamer to work with.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/2019 02:08PM by Chuck McIntyre.

Nick, this is one i will leave to others who have used reamers because i have not. All my surf rod handles use either shrink wrap or Winn Grip overwraps for the handles . What type of grip are you talking about ?



Never mind i see cork , on a 10 foot surf rod ? Thats different but OK if thats what you want .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/2019 01:38PM by herb canter.

Can also make your own reamer. Use a piece of blank of appropriate diameter, and spiral wrap 1/2” wide reamer tape clockwise around the blank piece leaving a gap between the spirals. The tape is attached to the blank using contact cement, because it will hold up very well to frictional heat. Don’t use epoxy to attach the reamer tape, it will break down very quickly due to frictional heat. You can shim a piece of threaded or unthreaded metal rod and epoxy it into the butt end of your blank piece. This enables you to use it in your cordless drill. Easy enough to do and works very well.
Norm

I would use cork tape or other sorts of wraps. Given the diameter of the blank plus a wrap and you will have the perfect diameter.

Thank you all, since I'm new to rod building I have no spare or broken blanks laying around, but, Quinn gave me the idea that I could wrap cork tape around a cheap reamer until I get the right dimensions then wrap sand paper around the reamer WALLA a cheap .776 reamer ! Nick R.

Nick,
I think you misunderstood me. I was suggesting you wrap the tape around the rod you are building and use that as the grip. However if you idea works then so much the better. I really think you don't want big thick reamed out grips on that rod. With a cord wrap you will be somewhere around 0.9 which is good.

I think Nick is picturing something completely different in his mind and can't visualize what we mean by using cork tape or Winn Grips as the actual grip . I'm guessing he is looking at info from webpages that shows grips being reamed and fitted on blanks that ARE NOT surf rod blanks that are 10 feet in length .





EDITED LATE:

Nick, if you want to see what Quinn and i are referring to google " Applying cork tape for surf rod handle" or " Applying Winn Grip overwrap " to fishing rod .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/2019 08:07PM by herb canter.

There are a number of ways to build a handle for a surf rod. A reamer would be used if you want a cork or EVA handle. Other types of handles would include making a handle using cork tape, shrink tubing, Winn Butt wraps, cord, or combinations of these. [www.mudhole.com]
Norm

Don't overlook broken golf club shafts when making large reamers.

Pool que. You can usually find them at larger thrift stores.

Thank you all for all the great info, OMG!! I just learned something new, I never thought there were so many other rod grips other than cork. So now i'm surfing the net for anything grip related, Came upon one builder that uses "rubber" cement to slide EVA grips onto the blank, it has opened a whole new world for my build and maybe even helps making the build easier.Thanks for all your help, I'm sure more questions will follow LOL. Nick R.

That is a 1/2" drill motor with the handles removed. I have larger reamers.

Super fast.