First Rod Handle Question

[mschum]

I just started building my first rod and it looks like I botched it already. The rod is a St Croix SCIII spinning kit from Cabelas. The problem I have is that I reamed the pre-made cork handle out too much. The top of the handle fits snugly but the bottom is about an 1/8" loose. Is this something that warrents a new handle? If I flex the rod back and forth I can feel the rod tap on the cork and actually hear it. Will it cause problems if I just glue it on like this, or does this warrent a new handle?

Thanks,

Mark Schumacher

[GonetoSeed]

mschum -1/8 is a lot. You can try wrapping a shim using size D thread. Since this is your first rod, you probably don't have D so try a larger nylon from a sewing store. I would build the shim by wrapping down the length of the gap (from the butt to where the handle starts to touch again, you will probably have to "eyeball it"), then back up and thendown about 1/3 to half of the original length. What you are trying to do is to build it to fill the gap in a taper. Finish it off like a guide wrap, just place the tag end under 10+ wraps. Try the handle. See if you have eliminated the rocking. You may have to try a few times and fiddle with it. When you get the shim the right size then glue on as you normally would.

If the length of the gap is not too long, you can consider building the shim with fiberglass dry wall tape, like some of us use for arbors under the reel seat insert. It's a little harder to get the tape to taper, but if the gap is not to long, it could work. Just cut the tape into smaller widths to use to add progressively more material where you need it for the tapering.

If you can't get it to dry fit without rocking, then another handle is the way to go. Because one thing to not do is try to fill the gap, even a gap remaining after shimming, with the epoxy. Epoxy is actually quite heavy and if you are not using a paste style has a tendacy to flow somewhere other than where you want it if it has a lot of room. Try to get all your shims/arbors for the insert and/or handle to have close tolerances for fit. Even if it is structurally sound, ie, won't fail, the rocking "feel" and the noise (usually a clicking sound) will drive you nuts.

Danny or some of the others may have other ways to address the problem. You aren't the first builder to ream out a little too much. Good luck.

PS - If you have trouble fashioning a shim, then you could consider using the grip to fashion a split grip. I actually prefer them because of the weight and I personally like the look, but that is certainly in the eye of the beholder. I don't have a picture of a spinning one, but here's a casting rod set up with a split grip (on a SCIII blank), spinning ones work the same way.

http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/photopost/data/500/8056cranking_rod-med.jpg

[mschum]

Thanks GonetoSeed!

The thread method appears to be working very well. Plus I got to practice wrapping some thread. I think I'm back on track now.