Hi, I have an old family fly rod I'd like to back in service. The female side of the ferrule slides up and down about 1/16 of an inch when you cast and will also wiggle a little around the blank. The male end still fits tight.

So is it possible to just rewrap the female ferrule and epoxy it to remove the movement or would it be better to try to remove and replace it with one that has the same inside diameter?

Thanks in advance,
George

Is this a bamboo rod? If not is it that has a separate ferrule?

George,
If the female ferrule is that loose on the blank, it should not take too much to remove it, clean the bore and blank, apply new ferrule (tip top) hot-melt adhesive and remount. Simply rewrapping the outside while the inside is not properly affixed to the blank will certainly result in failure, probably in short accord. Ferrules require extremely close tolerances and it is doubtful you would find an appropriate, mating half. That is why they are sold in matching pairs. I am interested in what other have to say.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

What kind of ferrule is it; metal, spigot, or tip over butt? I’m assuming it’s a metal ferrule. If so, heat the female section and remove it. Then glue it back in place on the blank. You can use 5 min epoxy or tip top cement. I prefer the tip top cement, back in the day it was also called ferrule cement. If it’s not a metal ferrule let us know there are other ways to fix loose spigot and tip over butt ferrules. These repairs for the most part are easily to do.

Norm

If you have a metal ferrule, it is likely worn to the point that looseness is the result. You have two viable options.

1. Remove and replace with a new ferrule.

2. Dull the cutting edge on a tube cutting tool and roll it around the female ferrule near the top and then near the bottom. This will lightly "crush" the ferrule at two points and effectively restore the fit for awhile longer.

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

From George’s description, I take it that the fit between the male and female halves is good; it is the female half which has become loose from the blank. As Norman, I am assuming this is a metal ferrule

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Guys,

Thanks for the suggestions. Here's a little more info:

- It is an old fiberglass 7' fly rod from probably the mid to late 80's.
- Below are links to two pics. (I couldn't see how to embed pics)
- The first pic shows one side that seems to have a single pin. The second pic shows the other side which as two elongated indentions. As first I thought the two elongated indentions were just crimp marks but they seem to have a slightly different piece of metal across the bottom of the indention almost as if there are some type of elongated pins similar to the single pin indention on the other side.

Point is that it's going to take more than heat I think to get these pins to release. Any experience with how to get this type of ferrule off in a way that I can reseat/reuse it?

@Mark - you are correct. The female half is just loose from the blank but still seats firmly with the male portion on the other half of the rod.

[photos.app.goo.gl]
[photos.app.goo.gl]

Thanks for the help! This will make a great small stream rod for me, with some family history, if I can get this ferrule tight on the blank again.

Best,
George

I have seen pinned ferrules before, but the crimp on the opposite side I have not seen. Can you remove the pin? If so, the ferrule may just pull off and you may be able to glue it back in place if there is not much damage. If there is some damage it will be close to the cut end of the blank and you maybe able to trim the end back to remove the damage and reinstall the ferrule over the trimmed end. The ID of metal ferrules are usually a little oversized so even trimming the blank back a 1/2” or so the ferrule may still fit and can be glued in place, sans the pin. If it doesn’t fit completely just sand the end of the blank a little to get a good fit. Or insert a drill bit that fits snuggly into the end of the ferrule that fits over the blank and turn it by hand to remove a very thin layer of metal to get it to fit. Probably just need to remove a fraction of a millimeter either way to get a good fit. Those old E glass blanks are pretty tough and are not very prone to splitting. One of the reasons the ferrule was pinned, they even use to pin the reel seats in place. So if you can get the ferrule off you can probably repair it using the same ferrule. At the very worst you could cut the both ferrule section off and replace with an appropriately sized new ferrule.
Norm

A quick solution if the ferrule is not sloppy loose, is to run some Super glue down into the ferrule.

George,
With only 5 years of experience, I have not encountered metal ferrules which were pinned such as our resident guru, Norman, has and graciously offered his insight and suggestions. As usual, I agree with all of Norman’s suggestions (who has the right to argue with a guru) LOL?
The photos are a bit fuzzy to attempt to see exactly what is going on. If there was only one elongated slot/hole, I could imagine it was intended for the shaft of a headed pin, inserted from the other side with the round hole, to be cut and bent down into the elongated slot. That bent over piece could appear as if it were an “elongated pin” as you mentioned. Are there “elongated pins” in both slots? See if the round hole lines-up with the end of one of the slots and then use the sharp point of a scriber, or suitable other, to get under the end of the “elongated pin” (hopefully bent-over wire) that is NOT lined-up, bend it up to 90* from the blank and push/tap it through the blank and out the round hole on the opposite side. Hopefully, the female ferrule can then be easily persuaded off the blank.
Although holes produce perfect stress-risers, with as close as it is the end of the blank section, I do not anticipate it causing reason for concern. However, it may be a good idea to fill the holes on both sides of the blank with a paste epoxy so that after the ferrule is eventually remounted with tip top adhesive, the hole and slots can be sealed with a quick application of the same paste epoxy that will not wick down into the ferrule-to-blank joint. I am certain the tip top adhesive will be more than adequate to secure the ferrule without the need to be additionally pinned.
Please keep us, at least me, posted with your progress; I am very interested. Good luck!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Looks more like a form of "Crimp" To me. I would do as Phil suggested using Thin or Med CA {A quick solution if the ferrule is not sloppy loose, is to run some Super glue down into the ferrule}

Phil’s suggestion and Jay’s endorsement may certainly be a “quick solution” to your ferrule issue but may burn a bridge behind you on the path to repairing the problem properly and permanently. It is unknown what type of adhesive (if any) was originally used, the compatibility of CA with such, and CA is unsatisfactory used as a gap-filler. It would also be more difficult to remove in the future, near or far. Just a thought for consideration.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

There are gap filling CA's.

@Everyone - Thanks much for the all the helpful info and advice.

@Norman - great to know they used to pin reel seats on rods like this cause I need to replace that too.

@Mark - nice explanation of what's likely going on between the pin whole and the two slot indentions on the other side. I was thinking of taking a Dremel to just cut it but hopefully won't have to do that now.

@Phil - good to know about filler super glue. Do you have a brand you use? I'm all about quick fixes to get back on the water as quickly as possible.

Due to you alls help, and after examining the reel seat, I can see that this needs to be more than just fixing the loose ferrule. Since the scope has expanded I'm going to put this project on hold for a moment and will likely start a new project post once I get back to it.

Thanks for sharing your expertise as I would likely have gotten into trouble without it!
George

George,
You have received replies from caring and concerned veterans (and a newbie like me). I feel confident in speaking for all that we would be very interested in learning the outcome of your situation. Thank you for the thanks and please keep us posted when you return to the project.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.