Wooden or rubber sandpaper backing plates are spoken of here a lot.
Other than - MAYBE - using one to round-out a grip - I haven't used one in 15 years.
Instead - go to a fully stocked plumbing supply shop.

Buy a variety of the largest diameter PVC end fittings you can get - i.e. 8"-10" diameter - cut the ends into 3" wide half moons.
Using that as a sandpaper backing plade you can shape nice consistant curves for full-wells grips.
I like a good pronounced flare on the ends of my (modified) Ritz grips. Very easy to get consistant curves on all your grips with these.

I use lesser diameter pipe for my fighting butts. I don't like fighting butts with straight sides - even if they're tapered. I get nice curves with PVC pipe.
Herb
CTS

Herb,
Yet another good idea; I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. Thanks for sharing. I much prefer the posts with positive information and learning that this site has to offer rather than the pot-stirring posts. 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.

Pretty slick, thanks, Herb

Here is another idea for obtaining the grip profile you want. I have one for every fly rod grip style. The green is 80 grit sandpaper, it is held against to turning cork (or other material) until you have the shape , then finish with smoother grits.

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2022 06:16PM by Phil Erickson.

Herb, a picture's worth a thou words. Been using pvc pipe for some time.

Great post!