I bought a NTR casting seat from MH which calls for a carbon insert. I understand that the insert is cemented to the blank but how does one keep the opening of the reel seat from filling with epoxy when it is slid over the insert? Is there a procedure or do I need to carefully clean the epoxy from the opening in the seat and the exposed insert?

I have always pre-installed the insert to the seat. Take the hood off and tape the threads. If you have any run off you can remove it with a toothpick or q-tip. Use denatured alcohol and cloth/q-tip to remove excess epoxy from the openings in the seat. If any gets inside the insert you can ream it down smooth. Then install the same as a normal casting seat.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/13/2021 02:03PM by Aaron Petersen.

William. No matter how hard you try you're going to get some cement on the insert that will show in the opening. Have a cleaning rag with denatured alcohol handy. It should wipe off very easily for you, then let it set up. Keep an eye on it from time to time to make sure nothing else has seeped out, especially if you use glue instead of paste. If you lay the rod horizontally for everything to dry, keep the opening in the up position, this should keep any seepage, if any, to a minimum.
Always check and recheck your alignment after wiping off any excess glue or paste.
Someone else may have a much better idea, so stayed tuned.
Good luck.

I agree with Aaron, install the insert first. Clean up any seepage, and when cured glue to blank like any other reel seat using some type of arbor/bushing.
Norm

William,
I like to use a tooth brush. New or used to remove any epoxy from the glue up.

Be diligent.

Check the glue up every minute for the first 15 minutes to be sure that no more glue has seeped out. If it does, be diligent with the brush and alcohol and you will have a perfect installation.

William,
I like to use a tooth brush. New or used to remove any epoxy from the glue up.

Be diligent.

Check the glue up every minute for the first 15 minutes to be sure that no more glue has seeped out. If it does, be diligent with the brush and alcohol and you will have a perfect installation.

OK, looks like I have a plan. Nothing is worse than going ahead and doing something that doesn't work out and having to buy all over again.

Thanks,
Bill

right on, William. Good advice from the builders who replied. It will work just fine. Just don't let it cure before clean-up.

When you glue the insert in the seat, neatly remove as much glue as you possibly can before starting in with the alcohol. Alcohol causes some seepage. Keep an eye on it as Roger said.

I just do everything at one time as far as mounting the insert and reel seat to the blank. Already have your grip glued in place to the blank. Tape the reel seat thread only. Put your arbors on then apply epoxy to them, slide the insert over the arbors, smear epoxy all over the OD of the insert and inside the reel seat and mount the reel seat over the insert. Make sure the tube ends of the reel seat are filled with epoxy to make a watertight seal. Clean up excess epoxy with dry paper towels first then lightly wet paper towels with Acetone or DA and clean up all epoxy residue that is left. I will cut paper towels in quarters rather than use the whole paper towel and I only use the cheap store brand ones without decorative print on them. If your grips are EVA or you are using rubber or plastic winding checks then don't use acetone. Make sure everything is dry fitted first and reel orientation is established. I also use the gel type epoxy that sets up in 15 minutes for reel seats and grip mounting (not for gluing grip rings together). The last thing you want is to have is a reel seat spin on the finished rod. It is poor craftsmanship. It seams a little messy but you don't need to use globes of epoxy and it will all clean up.