Thanks Mike. I will check that out. I subscribed a few years ago and just didn't see much related to fly rods, which is all I build, so I didn't renew. And thanks Ron. I love my Dremel tool, but you have a steadier hand than I do! Or maybe just more patience. But since most people don't want to invest in a lathe just to build one or two handles, it's always nice to see alternatives. Howe
Forum: rodboard

Not really a "hack" per se, but just a way to emulate an inletting tool set I have but isn't on the market any longer (as far as I can tell). I am building a cork fly rod handle and have a reel seat with a recessed hood OD that I don't already have a cutting tool for, and since I can't find the inletting tools on the market I had to use this simple work-around. All you need is 1) a lat
Forum: rodboard

Fortunately I've never had to replace a fly rod handle, but over the years I've read about various techniques for removing glued-on handles (heating seems to be the choice for two-part epoxy). I've always wondered about the mechanics of sliding a cork (or other) replacement handle back on to the rod. When I build rods, and I assume this is essentially what everyone does, I core out the cork han
Forum: rodboard

This doesn't much apply to Dale's question which started this thread, but it might be of interest to some of you others who build fly rod handles. As Michael Danek mentioned, you can rig up a drill motor or drill press to turn cork grips. I did that for a while, but once I made the move and spent $300 on a Wen "hobby" level lathe (LA3424 4.5 amp), I wish I had bought it years ago.
Forum: rodboard

I only build fly rods, but the only thing that has ever worked for me is to go to the fly shop, grab some rods and head out and try them out. Make sure you buy something from them for their help, but once you find a rod you like, then find that blank (if it is available and wherever it is available) and build your own. If you are by one of the big box stores like Bass Pro/Cabellas, then you hav
Forum: rodboard

Hi Donald, I agree. As I do when I use Tung Oil Finish on my shotgun stock, I usually wait a day or two between applications. I also buff the wood between applications, first at about 5 minutes after saturating, then an hour, and again a day or two later. Buffing is much easier with the fly rod handles because I can put the spindle in the lathe and buff it at a low speed (although I think a hi
Forum: rodboard

I know I'm a bit late to this discussion (new to the site, but wish I had found it years ago!), but I prefer Minwax Tung Oil Finish for my birch bark and cottonwood bark handles. It isn't 100% Tung oil, but it has always served me well on the stocks of my trap shotguns, and I've now used it on over a dozen birch bark and cottonwood bark fly rod handles. When I get some good photos I'll post som
Forum: rodboard

I'm getting frustrated trying to post to "Forum" and add a couple of photos (of fly rod handles). I "registered" about 10 days ago and received the "Your Rodbuilding.org account has been approved. You can login to Rodbuilding.org at..." email message on July 22. I was able to log in just fine. However, when I tried to post on forum the other day, there was no o
Forum: rodboard