Rod Building The Rod Building Thread

I would contact the company and see if they have a different grip. As david said you'd want the whole grip be supported by the tape less 1/32 to seal off and fill with epoxy. For the gap you could add another cork ring and sand back to profile.

Lots of was to fix it, but id want a new grip fitted to the blank.
 
I would wrap more than a couple masking tape rings under the grip since it sounds like the gap is fairly large. That way the cork is being supported in multiple locations, and personally I would be sure two of them are near the bottom and top of the grip. However you want to leave a gap inbetween the masking tape rings so you can coat the tape well enough to encapsulate it in epoxy to prevent rot.

I have a few rubber winding checks laying around that you can take a look at if you dont want to wait/pay for shipping on a $.50 part. And a large grey Batson one with the dimples in the parts bin. PM me if interested and I can meet up with you this weekend or Monday.
I usually do two wraps for a reel seat, but yes, I will make several to provide sufficient support for this 11" grip. PM coming.
 
Looks good! Yes you can add a trim wrap later…..just a little trick I do on thin trim wraps is to put a small dab of clear nail polish on the area where you cut the tag ends….nothing worse than having them unravel when you’re applying the finish!

Just learned of this trick, and saved me on some two turn trim wraps.
 
I’m three wraps in and I’ve finally got the first one I’m happy with. The first two the starting wraps feel a bit loose and I’ll probably cut those off and re wrap at the end. I’m making it harder on myself than needed by using Kimono silk but 🤷‍♂️.

Question. If I wanted to tip these, could I do that all at the end?
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Starting with silk? You don’t mess around, do you?
 
I ve been practicing, learning different ways to make trim bands. These videos have helped out. End bands are the challenge for me.
The nail knot technique in the beginning of this video is useful for emergency touch-ups..



Another nail knot technique.
 
Looks good! Yes you can add a trim wrap later…..just a little trick I do on thin trim wraps is to put a small dab of clear nail polish on the area where you cut the tag ends….nothing worse than having them unravel when you’re applying the finish!
I do the same, but with Krazy glue, applied with a pin..letting dry before trimming. I also have all the trim areas on the underside, so they're not visible when holding the rod.
 
Really, ...this is like mens crocheting.....Its fascinating and artwork much like crocheting (word?). The fingers are the needle...
wish I could do it, but PITA.... and mainly have no patience for the process. Nice job to those of you that can and even more kudos to those that add spice to wraps.... a good wrap with buffalo spice sauce :p

Some beautiful rods being made.
 
Really, ...this is like mens crocheting.....Its fascinating and artwork much like crocheting (word?). The fingers are the needle...
wish I could do it, but PITA.... and mainly have no patience for the process. Nice job to those of you that can and even more kudos to those that add spice to wraps.... a good wrap with buffalo spice sauce :p

Some beautiful rods being made.
I can teach you if you ever want to give it a try! It is fun to fish a rod that you've built how you want it!! Cheers!
 
Really, ...this is like mens crocheting.....Its fascinating and artwork much like crocheting (word?). The fingers are the needle...
wish I could do it, but PITA.... and mainly have no patience for the process. Nice job to those of you that can and even more kudos to those that add spice to wraps.... a good wrap with buffalo spice sauce :p

Some beautiful rods being made.
Similar to tying a fly, utilizing some thread to turn metal and material into a tool and/or for those inclined, a piece of art.

Requires little barrier to entry, maybe some patience though 😄. If you enjoy fly tying you should give it a go sometime!
 
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I tried the fly tying…..fun the first two-three times but nah. I’m fine buying flies. I have done two or three spinning rods…. Long time ago. Came out decent but man what a pain. I have a couple glass fly rods. My first a Cherrywood Berkeley and some glass bamboo looking WW Grigg that I stripped down some time ago. Just have not felt energized to rewrap. Matter of fact years ago I went up to Lake Steven’s area to Greg’s and got new guides and thread to redo my Cherrywood. Now I don’t even know what happened to the guides and spool of threads. 😬
 
I tried the fly tying…..fun the first two-three times but nah. I’m fine buying flies. I have done two or three spinning rods…. Long time ago. Came out decent but man what a pain. I have a couple glass fly rods. My first a Cherrywood Berkeley and some glass bamboo looking WW Grigg that I stripped down some time ago. Just have not felt energized to rewrap. Matter of fact years ago I went up to Lake Steven’s area to Greg’s and got new guides and thread to redo my Cherrywood. Now I don’t even know what happened to the guides and spool of threads. 😬
Fair enough, hats off for dabbling in it before making up your mind on both fronts.

I hear ya on the spinning rod, doing my first now (spincast) and it’s a lot of epoxy, wait and repeat with all the sections. Here is the gift for my sister’s birthday. It’s a 5’ Batson E Glass blank.

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Added an extra 1.5” to the grip as I didn’t like the look or feel of the ultra compact style the 5’ blank recommended. Should balance better too as she has no want to learn the spinning reel 😁 loves the button. So I super-tuned a Zebco 33 micro for the combo.
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Fun part is wrapping it in her favorite colors tomorrow, which I’m really liking.
 
Do y’all do anything to tack in wrapped threads before epoxy? I feel like no matter what I do, my wraps loosen up. I just wrapped a ferrule end and because I needed to brace the rod with my forearm, the friction caused two wraps to undo themselves. Quite literally one step forward two back.
 
Do y’all do anything to tack in wrapped threads before epoxy? I feel like no matter what I do, my wraps loosen up. I just wrapped a ferrule end and because I needed to brace the rod with my forearm, the friction caused two wraps to undo themselves. Quite literally one step forward two back.
I borrow my next door neighbor's rod wrapping jig and I use rubber bands hooked around pegs below the "V's on the stand and then around the rod to keep the rod in place. I built a mickey mouse thread tensioner so my wrapping thread has constant tension, the blind thread wrap (almost) never loosens. Not sure if this answers your questions?
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