Rod rebuilding question.

keithdog · 09-23-07, 09:27 AM

I don't know if anyone in here builds fishing rods, but I am looking for an answer about a rod I own. Is it possible to remove a rod blank from the handle and rehandle it? I have a spinning rod I would like to turn into a casting rod. I am guessing the blank would have to be cut off at the handle and a new handle installed. But I don't really know for sure if this is feasible.

BigBassin144 · 09-23-07, 11:53 AM

Actually I am plannig to make a new cork handle for a spinning rod of mine, it should be too hard because it is an all cork handle and no real seat. in that case all you have to do is cut the cork off. easier said than done though.I don't know how yet, but I'll have to get the glue ued to hold the cork on off too. I guess you could to the same to a rod with a reel seat and just somehow get it off. I'll talk to my dad who used to build a lot of rods and see what he says. I'm still learnign how to build rods.

bb144

otto · 09-23-07, 12:41 PM

I replaced a handle and reel seat on a spinning rod once. I mainly cut, peeled, and ground off the old one, being as careful as I could not to nick or mar the rod blank. When you get down to the old epoxy, you can soften it with acetone and get most of it off.
You really shouldn't worry about getting it all off anyway. The new handle and reel seat will cover up any imperfections.

1FASTLASER · 09-24-07, 05:59 AM

I do custom rods as well as repair. Replacing a handle is time consuming. Best tool to use is a dremel tool and WORK SLOWLY. You do not want to compromise the blank by cutting into into it. Use a sanding roll to cut away a length of the cork and expose both ends of the seat. That way you can see the actual thickness of the seat. I then start running the roll length ways to get to the epoxy which holds the seat in place. MOST of the time you can then peel the remaining seat off, sometimesnot.

Rob Allen · 09-25-07, 07:35 PM

the whole project will hinge on whether or not you can remove the reel seat...

the cork or foam handle is easy enough to carve off with a sharp utility knife and all of the guides can also be removed with ease..

try some heat to see if you can get the reel seat off if you have a heat gun and some welding gloves that method works well... a butane torch also works but too much heat can melt the graphite so the heat gun is better... just heat it up and see if you can break the bond... if you can do that you'll have no problem rebuilding the rod...

if however you cannot get the reel seat off your best option is to cut the blank above the reel seat and find a piece that will snuggly fit inside the rod... However your rod will need to be reienforced or it will split out... a little fiberglass filement and epoxy will work well.. from there you can build it like you would any other rod

keithdog · 09-27-07, 11:05 PM

Thanks guys for the info. I appreciate it.

09-23-07, 09:27 AM	#1
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Rod rebuilding question. I don't know if anyone in here builds fishing rods, but I am looking for an answer about a rod I own. Is it possible to remove a rod blank from the handle and rehandle it? I have a spinning rod I would like to turn into a casting rod. I am guessing the blank would have to be cut off at the handle and a new handle installed. But I don't really know for sure if this is feasible.

09-23-07, 11:53 AM	#2
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Actually I am plannig to make a new cork handle for a spinning rod of mine, it should be too hard because it is an all cork handle and no real seat. in that case all you have to do is cut the cork off. easier said than done though.I don't know how yet, but I'll have to get the glue ued to hold the cork on off too. I guess you could to the same to a rod with a reel seat and just somehow get it off. I'll talk to my dad who used to build a lot of rods and see what he says. I'm still learnign how to build rods. bb144 __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

09-24-07, 05:59 AM	#4
1FASTLASER BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: crossett,arkansas Posts: 2,777	I do custom rods as well as repair. Replacing a handle is time consuming. Best tool to use is a dremel tool and WORK SLOWLY. You do not want to compromise the blank by cutting into into it. Use a sanding roll to cut away a length of the cork and expose both ends of the seat. That way you can see the actual thickness of the seat. I then start running the roll length ways to get to the epoxy which holds the seat in place. MOST of the time you can then peel the remaining seat off, sometimesnot. __________________ Laser's rule with Merc's doing the pushing..........KEEP THE WETSIDE DOWN AND THE DRY SIDE UP!!!!!!

09-23-07, 12:41 PM	#3
otto BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 90	I replaced a handle and reel seat on a spinning rod once. I mainly cut, peeled, and ground off the old one, being as careful as I could not to nick or mar the rod blank. When you get down to the old epoxy, you can soften it with acetone and get most of it off. You really shouldn't worry about getting it all off anyway. The new handle and reel seat will cover up any imperfections.

09-25-07, 07:35 PM	#5
Rob Allen BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 10	the whole project will hinge on whether or not you can remove the reel seat... the cork or foam handle is easy enough to carve off with a sharp utility knife and all of the guides can also be removed with ease.. try some heat to see if you can get the reel seat off if you have a heat gun and some welding gloves that method works well... a butane torch also works but too much heat can melt the graphite so the heat gun is better... just heat it up and see if you can break the bond... if you can do that you'll have no problem rebuilding the rod... if however you cannot get the reel seat off your best option is to cut the blank above the reel seat and find a piece that will snuggly fit inside the rod... However your rod will need to be reienforced or it will split out... a little fiberglass filement and epoxy will work well.. from there you can build it like you would any other rod

09-27-07, 11:05 PM	#6
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Thanks guys for the info. I appreciate it.

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