Sorry for violating board rules regarding posting a real name so I will repost as I do need an answer to my rodbuilding question.

Can anyone describe the correct process to attach a handle for a baitcasting rod that has an exposed blank cutout in front of the trigger?

What is the trick to epoxying the handle to the blank without having to clean the adhesive from the cutoff hole.

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like the reelseat is to big and you have to shim it correct? If so just put reelseat on and where you are going to instal just take a white china marker and mark where blank is exposed and just use masking tape to shim leaveing that whole open what you marked with your china marker.. Next time you want to use a trigger exposed reelseat have your Blank supplier set you up with the proper size of reelseat so you wont have to shim it... Thanks dave

If it is too big, I would not use it and get the correct size from your favorite supplier. I am sure whoever you purchased from will exchange it. If it is the proper size, there will be some epoxy that will leak out of the hole where the blank is exposed. Just use some denatured alcohol on a rag and wipe it off. If you are using one of the thinner epoxies, it will probably ooze out for about ten minutes or more, so keep an eye on it and rewipe as needed.