Recessing Reel Seat hood into handle

[jgrb]

I ordered the SC3 7' 6" 2 wt Blank with Component Kit from Hook and Hackle that came with Reverse Half Wells cork grip, black Pacific Bay A7 up lock flush mount reel seat. I am looking for advice, tips, etc. on recessing the upper hood into the handle. I've never carved cork before. If I flush mount, do I expoxy the metal ring onto the wood insert then epoxy the upper hood onto the ring to make it "fixed" and lined up with the guides or do I just let it "float"? My previous kit, a Forecast 4wt, came with a handle that was recessed to accept the hood. I guess I could go ahead and spend the extra $20 or so to order a handle that is already recessed.
Thanks for any tips or suggestions.
John

[jtysone]

The Pac-bay A7 does not resess into the cork handle. When I have used a A7, I used epoxy and put the reel seat together. After lettng it cure a day I then epoxy it on the blank, Line up the slot,top hood with the spine or oppisite the spine (what ever you choose) . The next day I epoxied the cork on the blank by sliding it down till it is flush with the reel seat. I have never put epoxy on the top of the reel seat. It seems to work fine. hope this works.

[GonetoSeed]

I agree with jtysone that the A7 isn't made to recess and that you won't need to epoxy the hood to the cork grip for strength. Pressing the grip down tight on the hood will work (the ID of the grip needs to a size for a tight friction fit with the blank). If however there are any gaps between the hood and the end of the grip because of imperfections in the cork and they bug you, you can run a small bead of 5 minute epoxy between the hood and grip using a tooth pick in order to fill the gaps. If you mix a little black paint pigment with the epoxy it will blend even more with the seat and look like one continuous piece.

[jgrb]

Thanks! I want to make sure I understand this before I start with the epoxy. This is only my second attempt at building a rod, so please bear with me.
When I epoxy the components of the reel seat together, I epoxy the top metal ring onto the top of the wooden insert, then epoxy the top hood onto that ring. (?) I let that dry a day then epoxy the reel seat onto the blank, lining up the top hood with the spline. The handle does not appear to me to need reaming since it fits tight down to where the top of reel seat will be.
I'm going to need more advice as I proceed with this kit. I have single foot guides which I have never used before. I really appreciate your help and great advice with this.
John

[jtysone]

How many pieces do you have? If I remember it correctly you should have-
1- top ring - it has i space in it for the reel foot
2- wood insert
3- slide ring
4- butt cap
5- metal piece with threads on it
6- ring that will screw on to #5

Mabey if you check out this pic it will help you-
http://shop.mudhole.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.201/it.A/id.13060/.f

Its may be easier to explain over the phone, If this does not help let me know and mabey we could talk on the phone. Josh

[jgrb]

I think I have it figured out now with y'alls help and after lookng at these photos. After epoxying the ring onto the top of the wooden insert and letting it dry, I snapped the top hood onto the metal ring. The hood seems to hold tight to the ring and stays in place. I tried moving it by hand and couldn't. It now looks just like the reel seats in these photos. Live and learn, I guess.
Thanks again for your help.
John