I will be building a new flippin stick, the blank is a 2 piece telescopic one, so the top slides back into the handle area. looking for recommendations on building the handle section. do I just build it like a normal handle, or is there a special way to do it, or different components ? I think it will need a heavier(or thicker) butt cap so the blank doesn't just push thru it. I would like it to be a split grip, with a hidden hood if possible.

thanks for any info
terry

Hey, Terry!

I built an 8-foot St. Croix tele rod as a spinning rod (SC480MLF); not a flipping stick, but the same concept. I actually extended the butt section six-inches so the rod now is 8'6", but breaks down to 7'7". (I know, I got crazy for a longer rod than 8-foot).

I put my handle and grips on like normal. Split grips would work fine; I used cork. Your observation of using a suitably strong butt cap is well taken; I don't think it has to be super heavy duty.

The thing you want to be mindful of is where your butt/stripper guide is located so you can collapse the rod as far as you want. My spinning rod does not collapse all the way because I wanted the first reduction train guide in a location that prevents a full 'breakdown'. However, it will shorten up enough to suit my needs.

Lay it out in a dry fit or with a china marker, think through where everything is going when extended and when collapsed, and you will be great. Just don't forget to put the rod through the butt section before you glue on the butt cap! Ha!
(Now how would I know that?)

Your plan sounds great.

You may consider making a small plug from a wood dowel or plastic rod 1/2" long or less and bond the plug in the end of the butt section..

The blank will bottom out on the plug instead of the butt cap.

Have fun

John

I want to say I glued a cork plug in the bottom.

I also had a concern about protecting the top part of the blank while it was in the retracted position.
(when its retracted...they will rub together in the rod lockeer)
I had seen rods scratched up in that spot.
So I added a decal and two coats of epoxy where they would overlap...again this is while its retracted.

The picture is not fully retracted...so as to show the decal.




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2022 06:09PM by Chris Catignani.

thank you for all the info, I want to put a small wrap at the retracted area

I just glue a thin ring of rubber gasket inside bottom of butt cap, stops the clunk.