I have wondered what the material is and why it sometimes is there and other times not. Can someone tell me why the tip end pieces of a blank are sometimes plugged with what seems to be a clay like material and other times left open. I would think it is a strength issue but then why isn't it in all blanks?

I haven't seen many rods plugged with things...maybe it is to keep grit, dirt, water from getting inside the tube?

Todd,
I have not seen male ferrules unplugged in quality blanks,
many times they become dislodged - iMO - because of the mold release used to separate the blank from the mandrel.
I refill the tip with GOOP or Shoe Goo or silicone.
It does keep grit rom entering the section and getting down to the female ferrule.
Herb

Thanks Herb and Derick. I think I will put something in the tips of rods that are not plugged. Seems logical not only for keeping crap out but most likely adds a little strength.

There should be a plug of some sort in the open end of any male ferrule. The tendency for open ended tubes to crush or collapse at that point is high. Put a plug of cork, EVA or a dab of RodBond in the open end.

........

Todd,
Could it simply be residue from the factory wet-sanding the blank? That may explain the “clay” like appearance. I am not certain but I am here to learn!

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

No Mark, it is not due to any residue. It is on the inside, tip of the sections of most blanks and rods that I have seen. The cheaper blanks seem to be void of the material. It is something done for a purpose. Both Tom and Herb mentioned it is for a reason and better to be plugged. It is a solid, hard material. I am an old nurse and back in the day we used to draw blood in a tube and then poke the end of the tube into a claylike material to plug one end so we could spin the blood down and separate the serum and cells. That's exactly what seems to me to have been done...then the clay hardens.I would bet in the factories they have some material like that to just stick the blank into the material once or twice and it fills the end.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2021 12:00PM by Todd Andrizzi.