Norman Miller Wrote:
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> If you are using a VSS 16 reel seat, I would
> recommend gluing the arbors in the reel seat
> before installing. The VSS 16 seat has two
> different IDs, the rear half ID is13 mm and the
> front half ID is 15 mm. Also the cutout contour of
> the VSS grips make it more difficult to glue the
> arbors, grip and reel seat together at the same
> time. I normally glue the arbors into the seat and
> when cured ream both the seat and grip to dry fit
> the blank. I then remove them and glue them
> together as a unit. I find doing it this way makes
> it easier to get a good glue joint and have the
> edges of the grip and seat match perfectly. It
> also makes clean up easier. When cured I install
> the reel seat and grip together as a unit. If
> needed you can slightly ream to get a good fit. I
> ream all the components as I described above. I
> have used a lot of VSS and IPS reel seats over the
> years with good success. I have a rod lathe but
> don’t find it necessary for simple reaming
> chores. I admit I have a lot of experience reaming
> and thus have gotten pretty good at it. There are
> others ways of doing it, but this is how I do it.
>
> Norm

Thanks Mr. Miller . I am trying to cobble together a VSS17 graphite body with a KSKSS17 hidden thread hood and VSS17 cork rear grip . I had no idea the VSS seats had two IDs . I purchased the NSA17 Fuji arbors which are supposed to "fit all size 17 seats" . The actual seat is one of the few parts I have not received yet but , when it comes in , I'll see if I can figure out a way to make things fit . I can see how the seat and grip could be made to fit together more cleanly if they glued together prior to installation but somehow it seems that reaming shorter pieces might be more precise for someone with my non existant experience ?? This is shaping up to be a very interesting adventure . Thank you again .

Ron

Mr. Ewanicki ,
Building reamers like you've described sounds like an excellent way to get precise tools for a reasonable cost . Sounds similar to what Mr. Kirkman described in his book but perhaps the contact cement and sandpaper would be more readily available . Only problem is that you and I must live in alternant universes . Shucks, there aren't even whole blanks in my neck of the woods much less a supply of broken butt sections . If I had access to these sections , I would certainly try to make up a set . Really good idea .

Ronald, only the VSS 16 seat has the two different IDs. The VSS17 seat is fine it has the same ID throughout its length and it will take a size 17mm arbor. This is also true for for the VSS 15//16 seat, same ID front and back which is 15mm. When using a KSKSS hidden thread hood on any VSS seat you will need to trim a little bit of the threaded barrel of the seat back. To do this, I screw the hidden thread hood all the way down on the reel seat, and cut off the threaded barrel portion that extends beyond the hood sleeve. This allows the hood with cork fore grip sleeve installed to be screwed all the way down on the reel seat. If you don’t trim the barrel the hood will not go all the way down and with time you will break the cork sleeve. If you have any questions about the installation of the VSS seat and grip, please feel free to contact me.
Norm

Mr.Miller,
Thank you very much for the help you've given me with this . Means a great deal .

Ron

X-2 on many topics.

Roland,
A ready supply for blanks is the charity box at fishing stores where folks drop off old rods.

Or you can go to a pawn shop and purchase an old rod.

Or go to a salvation army or a good will store and there will often be a bucket or rods for $1 each.

Garage sales will often have a bunch of fishing rods for sale - cheap.

Always be on the alert for a rod to scrounge up cheaply.

Best wishes.

Mr. Wilson,
Good advice . Thank you . I have a good friend who frequently makes the rounds of thrift stores , estate sales , etc . I'll ask him to help me with this . Thanks again .

Ron

Hey guys, our pilot bits are awesome. They work on arbors and cork. We have standard sizes and 16" long bits for rear grips. Here is a link:

[flexcoat.com]

Also, here are a couple videos we did a number of years ago:

[www.youtube.com]
[www.youtube.com]

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

The trash cans at a local fishing pier have a steady supply of broken rod blanks. Fishing spots next to parking lots are a good source, especially if adjacent waters are surrounded by trees or full of snags.