How important is the cork?

[Michael1227]

The CCGT (cork chunks glued together) grips I think are tougher than real cork grips. So far so good, I’ve made 7 and no problems yet. The third one I darkened with a dark wood wax. The quality of real wine cork isn’t as good as expensive cork rings made for grips.

Steve. I compared some of my prized wine corks (yes, I keep some corks after the vino is consumed) to the grips on my only self made build, and a couple of production rods. None of them were large enough (in diameter) to form the bulge at the forward end of the grip. I noticed that you use a threaded rod with nuts and washers to clamp for gluing (?). Doest that increase the diameter?

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Hi Michael, the cool thing is you boil the corks for around 15 minutes and they puff up to their original size and shape! Even champagne corks that look like a mushroom puff up! Here’s some before and after pictures. I use champagne corks for larger grip areas. The all thread is my glue clamp and then I chuck it in my electric drill held in a bench vise to shape the grips.

 

[Michael1227]

I considered that as a possibility. Thanks.

 

[Kado]

Hi Michael, the cool thing is you boil the corks for around 15 minutes and they puff up to their original size and shape! Even champagne corks that look like a mushroom puff up! Here’s some before and after pictures. I use champagne corks for larger grip areas. The all thread is my glue clamp and then I chuck it in my electric drill held in a bench vise to shape the grips.
View attachment 60370

Do you have to weigh them down in the water at all?

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Nope, just like boiling corn on the cob!

 

[Herkileez]

You would think that A-grade, or even AAA-grade, implies top quality cork...but that isn't the case. In fact, the A-grades are some of the worst I've seen. I've had really good luck with "extra-select" grade. It's much less $$ than flor grade, and I find it works well w/o having to use filler.