Rod tip issue

Roper

Roper

Idiot Savant, still
Forum Supporter
I was cleaning a couple of rods when I noticed something. The eyelet on my rod tip has several deep grooves in it. This rod is the one that I use most often with a full sink line, casting and stripping. Before too long, I believe the groove will be cut all the way through the eyelet. No Bueno! I talked with the folks at Redington and they gave me a couple options. I can send it to them and they will repair it or replace the rod. Another option is to purchase a replacement tip section. That’s $25 plus shipping.
So I’m wondering if there is a way I can replace that tip on my own. The biggest hurdle would be finding the proper size tip. For those of you that build rods do you have any advice?
This rod has a lot of mojo on it, and I don’t want to lose it…IMG_0950.jpeg
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Zak
I think I would order a new tip then replace the worn tip myself. Haven broken a tip section or two having a back up tip is a nice to have. Tip top usually can be removed with a little heat like a short exposure to the flame of a lighter. Source a replacement top. Clean the tip and glue the new tip top with 5 min epoxy. At least that’s how I’ve done it. More seasoned rod builders might have better ideas
 
speyflyfisher said:
I think I would order a new tip then replace the worn tip myself. Haven broken a tip section or two having a back up tip is a nice to have. Tip top usually can be removed with a little heat like a short exposure to the flame of a lighter. Source a replacement top. Clean the tip and glue the new tip top with 5 min epoxy. At least that’s how I’ve done it. More seasoned rod builders might have better ideas
Click to expand...
That's a great idea, as long as the tip isn't the section where all the mojo resides!
 
It used to be you could walk into just about any flyshop and get that removed and replaced. They're just held on with hot glue. Some times when you use heat and pull the old one off there is still enough glue to put on a new one. The manufacturer should know what size tip their rod blank takes. Order one that size and then one the next size larger.
 
speyflyfisher said:
I think I would order a new tip then replace the worn tip myself. Haven broken a tip section or two having a back up tip is a nice to have. Tip top usually can be removed with a little heat like a short exposure to the flame of a lighter. Source a replacement top. Clean the tip and glue the new tip top with 5 min epoxy. At least that’s how I’ve done it. More seasoned rod builders might have better ideas
Click to expand...

Don’t use epoxy! Get a stick of the low temperature hot melt glue that is used to put on rod tip rings, from the same place you get your new tip ring. Any fly shop should have a nice big box with a selection of sizes and the right glue.

Tip rings are a consumable item. I have rods that I have replaced the tip ring multiple times after they became worn. Can’t do that if you use epoxy. The heat needed to remove it will damage the blank.
 
Replacing the tip top rings are pretty easy. Less that 20 buck you can get a new tip, and the hot melt glue. The critical issue is making sure the diameter is about the same or a smidgen larger.
 
I’m thinking I might just make a day of heading over to Redington on Bainbridge. Bring the rod and see what they say, hell, what else do I have to do? (MEW) IYKYK…
 
Roper said:
I’m thinking I might just make a day of heading over to Redington on Bainbridge. Bring the rod and see what they say, hell, what else do I have to do? (MEW) IYKYK…
Click to expand...

If I recall correctly, they aren’t doing in person repair drop offs any longer. Might be worth a call first as that isn’t a cheap trip anymore if you plan to take the ferry.

Personally I’d order a replacement rod tip and replace the tip top on the current one. Tip sections seem to break most often and that would give you a backup. Replacing the tip top is inexpensive.
SF
 
As others have said, heat the old one with a lighter and it should come off easily without much heat.
A tip sizing gauge like this is a cheap and handy tool to determine the size of the replacement tip.

1761265977450.png
That and a stick of tip adhesive for a couple of bucks and you should be good to go.
 
Chucker said:
Don’t use epoxy! Get a stick of the low temperature hot melt glue that is used to put on rod tip rings, from the same place you get your new tip ring. Any fly shop should have a nice big box with a selection of sizes and the right glue.

Tip rings are a consumable item. I have rods that I have replaced the tip ring multiple times after they became worn. Can’t do that if you use epoxy. The heat needed to remove it will damage the blank.
Click to expand...
Yep, this. Takes maybe two minutes to get the old one off and the new one on. All for the price of the tip at most shops.
 
Roper, yeah, that is a badly worn tip top. First things first: nomenclature. Fly rods, or fishing rods in general don't have "eyelets." Eyelets are the things on shoes and boots that shoe laces pass through. Fish rods have "guides," and the one on the end of the rod is called a "tip top." See, pretty simple.

And yes, you want to replace that worn one. It's easy to do it yourself. A little heat from a candle or lighter and you can pull it right off. Use needle nose pliers and not your fingers because it will be hot. I realize that Chucker advises against using epoxy, but I've built and assembled many rods, sometimes using ferrule cement (hot glue) and sometimes using 5-minute epoxy. Either one works in my experience, and a little heat and the old one can be pulled off easily.

As Stonedfish says, don't take it to Farbank since they no longer accept over the counter returns. This is a simple and easy project you should do yourself. And if you're not confident, then one of your many fishing friends has almost certainly done this and can show you how.

BTW, tip tops are measured in 64ths for the diameter of the rod tip they will fit. As in 4.5/64, 5/64, 5.5/64, and so on. Also, tip tops come in two sizes, regular for rods up to 6 wt, and large for rods 7 wt and up. The regular and large refers to the size of the loop of the tip top. If you look up your rod on the Redington website, it may list the tip top diameter. If not, get out your micrometer and measure it. It's not hard to convert 64ths to thousandths of an inch. You can order a new tip top and glue from any of the rod component companies, and the postage cost will be greater than the cost of the materials you order, most likely. If you don't get this done soon, I'd stop by on one of my trips up north and show you how.
 
That’s the most worn out ridged tip top I’ve seen! Replace them before they get this bad,….it can ruin a fly line in a heartbeat! As Salmo_g says, I’ve been building rods for 40+ years and five minute epoxy works fine. The tip top will come off with a little heat from a lighter just like a glue stick. Remove the tip top and use a drill bit index to size your tip top. You can get a new tip top for a couple of bucks on eBay.
 
Too much heat can damage the rod tip. To avoid that: Hook one end of a rubber band onto something solid, and the other end to a piece of wire hooked onto the tip top (or use a big fish hook). Pull on the rod so the rubber band has lots of tension, while applying heat carefully. The tip top will pop off when it gets just enough heat to soften the glue inside it.
 
Salmo_g said:
Roper, yeah, that is a badly worn tip top. First things first: nomenclature. Fly rods, or fishing rods in general don't have "eyelets." Eyelets are the things on shoes and boots that shoe laces pass through. Fish rods have "guides," and the one on the end of the rod is called a "tip top." See, pretty simple.

And yes, you want to replace that worn one. It's easy to do it yourself. A little heat from a candle or lighter and you can pull it right off. Use needle nose pliers and not your fingers because it will be hot. I realize that Chucker advises against using epoxy, but I've built and assembled many rods, sometimes using ferrule cement (hot glue) and sometimes using 5-minute epoxy. Either one works in my experience, and a little heat and the old one can be pulled off easily.

As Stonedfish says, don't take it to Farbank since they no longer accept over the counter returns. This is a simple and easy project you should do yourself. And if you're not confident, then one of your many fishing friends has almost certainly done this and can show you how.

BTW, tip tops are measured in 64ths for the diameter of the rod tip they will fit. As in 4.5/64, 5/64, 5.5/64, and so on. Also, tip tops come in two sizes, regular for rods up to 6 wt, and large for rods 7 wt and up. The regular and large refers to the size of the loop of the tip top. If you look up your rod on the Redington website, it may list the tip top diameter. If not, get out your micrometer and measure it. It's not hard to convert 64ths to thousandths of an inch. You can order a new tip top and glue from any of the rod component companies, and the postage cost will be greater than the cost of the materials you order, most likely. If you don't get this done soon, I'd stop by on one of my trips up north and show you how.
Click to expand...
So the first thing I want to know is, how did you know I have a micrometer? 😀
Along with my ongoing research, I now see it should be simple to replace the tip top. And thank you for the lesson in nomenclature. After a family get together for Sunday breakfast, I will probably remove the tip top. Then I can go from there to find or source a replacement.
But for now the wind storm outside has caused a power outage. So I’m going to start a fire in the woodstove to keep the house warm. We will see what tomorrow brings…
 
Roper said:
I’m thinking I might just make a day of heading over to Redington on Bainbridge. Bring the rod and see what they say, hell, what else do I have to do? (MEW) IYKYK…
Click to expand...
Just leave room in your car when you head over, you never know what might fall into the shopping cart before heading home... 😉

But ordering a rod tip is easy and cheap and then fix the old one for a back up (a others have said.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top