Need to to very slightly enlarge a Fuji Skeleton Seat. The insert I plan to use will fit but I got to force it. Insert is carbon fiber so sanding it down is not a option. The seat is .610. Probable want to go to .620 to .625. My glue up plan is reel seat thread on arbor let cure. Insert glued well to blank and just barely inserted into threaded portion. Minimal epoxy between insert and threaded section. Then another section of threaded in front of insert. Again on arbors well glued to blank minimal connection to insert. Rod is super lightweight not concerned about the seat not being a very solid unit. More want a clean connection. Tight force fit is going to lead to epoxy where I don't want it that may or may not cleanup well.

So need suggestions on how to accurately open up the seat. Appreciate any ideas.

My only thought is to "worry" the ID of the seat with 320 or 400 grit wet-or-dry on a dowel.
That's why it is wise to buy those things as a pair from the same manufacturer.
Herb

Michael,

What is the issue with reducing the diameter of the carbon fiber insert?

Is this a foam insert with a very thin carbon fiber layer and epoxy over the foam insert?

Or, can you purchase a smaller insert?

Take care

Michael, I don't think you have to worry about epoxy clean up if you get it right away with alcohol. Before it cures. Changing the ID of the seat is not going to change the likelihood of having epoxy getting out significantly. It's inevitable, at least for me. Every time I mount a seat I get epoxy where I don't want it. But worse is not getting it where you do want it. I don't understand your not considering a solid connection as a high priority. The lightness of the rod isn't that significant. The connection will be stressed by the screwing down the hood threads to clamp the reel. Unless I'm missing something.

The issue is the insert is foam with woven carbon fiber over it. Don't see it sanding very well. I can get a smaller insert but the size down is a slop fit. I will have a plenty solid connection of all components to the blank. Just see no need to have the seat a solid unit. Just trying to avoid problems and any time I have to force something to fit it seems to lead to problems.

From what I get here is you want to ream a reel seat. That’s no problem just grab a reamer or file and go to it. I’ve often reed seats to fit, never an issue.

That's what I needed to hear. Was unsure if there was anythibg special to do based on the material reelseats are made of thanks.

For future (or current) use. you can sand the carbon fiber sleeved grips without it causing the weave to unravel or fray. The epoxy permeates the entire sleeve and bonds the individual strands together. Of course you don't want to take off so much that you sand through the sleeve itself, but looking at the dimensions you mention needing to achieve, you're only talking .015". Based on my experience in sanding and making a couple of the grips, I doubt taking the diameter down .015" would have any ill effect on the insert.

Of course it is a reel seat insert so it has some stresses on it that may be cause for concern, but I kinda doubt it.

Just for reference sake ..... I've built a couple carbon fiber grips using the CFX kit available from Mud Hole. The finished carbon fiber sleeve added .050" to the diameter of the foam core I installed it on.