Cork Filler

[Ivan]

What are you guys using for cork filler?

[GonetoSeed]

I gave up on fillers. No matter what I did the always seemed to still jump out when I looked, as well as fall out. Now I use more wood, buy more rings than I need and pick out the good ones and tell myself that cork is a natural product and pits add character. Plus, a well used rod will/should pick up a certain patina with use and the fish slime will cover up the faults, right :)

The best I did do when trying, was to save some of the cork dust from turning and mix it with Rod Bond. I would use a tooth pick to clean out the gap/hole/pit and then place the dust/epoxy goop in the pit, higher than the grip surface, let dry and finish sanding. Looked

I understand that some builders are having pretty good luck with Elmers Wood Filler in golden oak, but I have not personally tried it.

[The Ole Man]

I've had ex results with the Elmers Professional Wood Filler-Golden Oak. Get it at Lowes.

[mmarkey]

The Ole Man, suggested that same stuff to me a couple of months ago. I used It and he was right. The Elmers wood putty is excellent cork filler. Thanks for the advice.

[GUTHOOKED]

You guys just need to buy better cork. ;)

[Hollis]

I've got a friend that had a dog eat up the handle on a Cableas rod and he asked if there was a way to fix it. It's pretty rough.

The best soloution is a new handle. However, trying to get the eyes off may mess things up. I'd like to try and fill the holes and resand it down until it is a usable handle. Right now I think I'll try the elmers wood filler.

Any other suggestions?

[GUTHOOKED]

If you want to replace it, it really shouldn't be that hard. Guides are pretty easy to remove and replace, provided that you can get the same color thread. Getting the old grip off would be harder, but since you're not trying to save it, you can just cut it off.

[Ivan]

What is the best way to remove a grip and reel seat? I've done it; unscientifically.

[GUTHOOKED]

You can heat the reel seat by soaking in hot water, or with a heat gun, and it will usually slide right off the back. For grips, I usually just cut them off with a box knife. I've never tried to remove one that I was planning on saving.

[Ivan]

Thanks Danny. I was just about to tocrh the reel seat. I was concerned about doing harm to the blank. I'm not planniing on saving the grip.

[GUTHOOKED]

Too much heat will damage the blank, so be careful. The hot water method is probably the safest. Heat guns, torches, etc may get it off quicker, but there's more risk of overheating the blank.

[Windknot]

Twisting does really bad things to graphite.