Guys

I’m working on a bait casting rod. The blank is an MHX CB783. According to the Mudhole site it should be a size 5 barrel. When I dry fit a size 5 tip top on it feels loose and flops down. If I go to a 4.5 it is snug and the barrel stops about 1/16” from bottoming out. Measuring down about 1/2 it measures 4.5/64”.

Will the glue fill the gap on the size 5 enough to be strong enough?

Thanks
Mike

If it's a painted blank you might try scraping it off under the tip-top.
Some builders will wrap thread under the tip-top -but you have to secure it to the blank so it just doesn't pull off - trickey.
I just apply the glue and make sure it is on straight.BTW - hope you are not using epoxy as glue.
Herb

Mike,
Like any time you machine cut tubing, you have a small crimp in the tube end, remove that and I think your small tip top will fit fine. I don't think a sixteenth would make any difference once glued on as it becomes a part of the rod's structure, like any other component does.

I have a set of number drills that I use to slightly enlarge the tube. DO NOT USE A POWER DRILL FOR THIS, USE YOUR HAND.

Herb - I’m not using epoxy. Just the normal tip top glue.

I tried taking a drill bit to clean out inside of the barrel. I think the 4.5 top has a longer barrel so as the rod diameter gets bigger it exceeds the barrel ID.

The blank is not painted. What if I sand the tip of the blank a little to fit the 4.5 all the way? I was going to wrap the top guide.

Mike,
Very simple.
Use the larger tip. Then, use your wrapping thread to put one or more wraps on the top inch or so of the tip top to fill any space. Make sure that your hot melt glue is hot and coat the thread, to insure that the thread is well affixed to the tip. Then, heat up the guide tip, and the glue coated tip top and slip the tip in place. Nice and solid for many years to come.

I have done this many many times, especially when wrapping ice rods that may have a very small tip top n the blank. No failures to date over many years and many many rods.

Take care

Do not sand the blank tip - no margin for error there.

Blank specs are target specs, any blank may vary by a half-64th and be considered normal.

.........

Before I test the tip for fit I take a countersink bit and chamfer the inside end of the tube.

The results are twofold, first it removes any burrs from the end which could scratch the tip and second it will restore the true ID by removing any crimping formed by the manufacturing process.

If that does not help then use the oversize tip with the thread wrap.

You can use some 400 grit to gently remove any gloss from the tip.

Roger - I think i got the problem solved. I did an under wrap and coated with the hot glue then placed the tip top in place as you advised. Seems to fit fine. Thanks for the simple solution!