Hello,

My recent purchase of a Arctos 5'9" spinning rod (thanks for the guidance on the guides) included a rear grip with a rounded composite cork butt (no but cap required) but also has a hole in it - duh of course it does, how else would you ream it out. My problem is I didn't purchase the composite cork plug that is supposed to go with it. I would rather not make another order, any thoughts on how to plug that hole? Its a bit larger than the diameter of a AAA battery. Thanks.

Chris

If looks aren't that important, use a wooden dowel and sand it to fit

The best match would be to cut a plug from a piece of composite cork with an appropriately sized cork borer, but I assume you have neither. A good alternative is to go your local hardware store and get a black plastic/nylon hole plug or nylon push fastener of the right size. They are inexpensive, and come in a variety of sizes, and styles. They overlap the hole, fit flush to the surface and look pretty good.
Norm



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2022 12:26PM by Norman Miller.

Thanks guys, I am going look into both options.

Chris

Consider using a button from a craft store, or even a drawer pull from your local hardware store

Ron Weber

Hey Norm,

Just re-read your post. When you say overlap the hole, do you mean the plug goes on the outside of the blank and ends up between the blank and the grip - plug is female end, blank is male end? So overlapping the blank, similar to a fighting butt on a fly rod or how a one would plug a copper plumbing pipe and then glue that and that to the grip? Hopefully this makes sense.

Chris,
Norman beat me to it. A hole plug is a viable option and even look good. In some fields, they are referred to as “Christmas Tree” plugs due to the cross-section resembling a Christmas tree = the branches are the barbs which hold the plug into the hole. Norman’s reference to “They overlap the hole, fit flush to the surface and look pretty good” describes the barbs going into the hole and the larger (relatively flat) cap of the plug overlaps (covers) the hole and sits flat against the end of the grip. For example, one of these plugs might have a .25in diameter portion which goes into the hole and then a .75in diameter cap.

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

Here is what a push-in panel fastener looks like.
[www.oreillyauto.com]
Here is what a hole plug looks like.
[www.amazon.com]
Many hardware and auto parts stores stock these in various sizes to fit various hole sizes. They just push into the hole, and over lap it to give a nice finished look. They can be glued into place if you want.
Norm

If you can't find a suitable plug fill it with epoxy. I have used epoxy as a filler of gaps and holes. A liquid works best. I dye it black using ground up natural charcoal. Just scrub it on some 80 grit to make some dust. To plug a grip hole pack some paper or cotton ball into the blank. Pour the dyed epoxy into the hole of the grip. Hardest part is keeping the rod vertical upside down. With a short rod its not too hard. I just go heavy with masking tape and tape it the wall. Let cure then sand to blend things together.

OReilly also has rubber panel fasteners that look a lot like the one Norman is linking, look on the rotary display for panel fasteners. I've used them for years, not showy, but they work just fine, look finished, and are softer than the hard plastic one. I alwys clean them with alcohol and sand the barb areas thinking that they might have mold release on them. I have used RodBond and never had a failure. Tom has recommended Goop for rubber parts.

I have also made a paste out of sanding dust of the same cork used for the butt knob with RodBond and put it into the hole. It almost disappears.