As title, , if I decide to turn the handle myself for spey rod, is tail stock neccessary ?

I have the ALPS Power wrapper, which could be added the ALPS tail stock (another $165, quite expensive )

I know the tail stock is used to hold the other end of the mandrel / blank.

But I check the Mudhole video and they turned handles on the "RBS handle turning kit" which the mandrel is just resting on a simple stand. (I think the stand from ALPS is even better with wheels.....)

Thoughts?

I've used a tail stock on my power wrapper and it worked fine. I've used the drill kit from Flex Coat and it works OK. I eventually got a lathe after looking for a couple years for a great deal. I preferred not to have that much dust in the same place I am wrapping my rods.

So tail stock is not really neccessary ?

Alex Corvin Wrote:
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> So tail stock is not really neccessary ?


Alex, it is going to depend how long your grip is and how quickly you want to shape it. The main issues will be deflection and out of balance. If you have a long grip it is more likely to be out of balance and the rod will want to flex as you apply any force to sand or otherwise shape your grip. It can be done without a tailstock at lower speeds and with proper precautions. If you already have the rod lathe just give it a try. I use a mini wood lathe, same as Mark above. It keeps the mess away from my wrapping area and has plenty of power and is very rigid.

Alex,
A tail stock is not necessary to turn a grip.
But, it is necessary to supply the non chuck end of the mandrel and the grip that is being turned.

For example, yesterday, I did a rod repair on a telescopic rod that was 9 feet long. I used my turning motor on my power wrapper to power the rod. I removed the butt cap and inserted a tapered mandrel up the rod butt to support the grip.

Then, with the telescopic rod collapsed, I used one of my rod supports to support the end of the short end of the rod that ended just in front of the fore grip. Finally, I used the rest of the rod rests to support the remainders of the 9 foot rod. Then, I taped the 8 foot section rod to the rod rests to insure that the rod itself did not turn. Finally, I went to the grips and went to work on the grips to repair the grip damage that had occurred over time and use. So, although I had the grips and reel seat spinning at 2000 rpm, the rod, with its guides on, remained stationary to avoid and spin damage.

Summary, a tail stock is not necessary, but it is necessary to support the end of the mandrel with a stand, or a set of rollers.

Here is a picture of the lathe that I use. In this picture, I am supporting the end of the wood grip that I am turning. Notice that for the grip itself I am not using the tail stock. Rather, I am using a ball bearing rod rest to support the end of the grip.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

I do use the tail stock to drill the center hole in the grip, but for the actual grip itself, not necessary for the tail stock.

quote {But I check the Mudhole video and they turned handles on the "RBS handle turning kit" which the mandrel is just resting on a simple stand. (I think the stand from ALPS is even better with wheels.....)

Thoughts?} Yep a grip or 2, It's 100% doable, Keep your speeds down until you find a sweet spot take your time. However, I would not want to do a dozen of them, Like this, You May want to take the power wrapper outdoors, To keep the dust down. Maybe even split it, Unscrew the base apart, You wouldn't need all the length anyway.

The only drawback to using a stand instead of a tailstock is that the mandrel is able to "walk" itself out of the chuck. So just take care to note if the mandrel is moving outboard while turning. It can be a good idea to occasionally re-tighten the chuck during your turning operation.

.............

Perhaps this video can help. No tail stock. No walking out of chuck. No mess in your clean wrapping and finishing room. Breaks down for storage. Buy ours or build your own.

[flexcoat.com]

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

any time a spin a shaft , it could vibrate [ not balanced ] an your handle is long [ spey ] be careful , as I see it

William Sidney
AK

Bill,
Copy that.

But, it is not necessary to use a tail stock to insure that the shaft does not vibrate or bounce. You can use a quality ball bearing rod rest and it will do an excellent job to constrain the end of the spinning shaft.

Be safe

My answer is..............it's not necessary, it's just the best way!