How I make cork grips

[streamer]

OK, several people have ask me about how I make my cork grips, so I took a few pics while making one this week, so i could explain it better. I figured I would go ahead and post it for anyone that may want to see.
Note: I'm sure there are others that build them different and better , But this works for me.

pic one - Here is all the stuff I use to build a 7'' grip. Cork rings, 1/4'' threaded rod, washers, nuts and 60min epoxy. All the cork for this grip came from here http://www.lamarfishing.com/
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery455f44e5c43a1.jpg

pic two- I have mixed the epoxy and am putting it on both sides of the cork rings (only coat one side of the end rings) I apply the epoxy to the ring and then scrape off as much as i can, leaving a very thin layer of epoxy.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery455f452582dde.jpg

pic three - After putting the epoxy on the rings I slid them on to the treaded rod.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery455f45515ef68.jpg

pic four - I have glued all the ring together on the treaded rod, now i put a nut on the other side and tighten it down. I will let the rings dry over night like this.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery455f458311e4f.jpg

Pic five- The rings have dried, and now im ready to turn it, Here I have put the threaded rod into my homemade lath, and made sure it is level. Be sure to make sure that it is level. I learned this the hard way:shake: Im using a 1x2 block with 60 grit sand paper stapled to it, to get the cork size down closer to the final grip size.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery455f45b70db23.jpg

pic six- now I have started using 120 grit sand paper, holding it in my hand and shaping the grip. On this grip, I am tring to match the other one you see in the pic, so I am checking the measurments often.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery455f462328ac9.jpg

Pic seven- I have got the grip close to the shape i want so i switch over to 300 to get just how i want it. Once i have the shape perfect i go over it with 600 grit to get it real smooth.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery455f464adc3a9.jpg

Here's how it turned out:cheers:
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery455f4679cc55b.jpg

I hope this helps, Im not very good at explaining thing so let me know if you have any questions. Streamer

[FlyBy]

Do you use any kind of release agent to make sure that the grip doesn't stick to the threaded rod? Also, can you give some details of the jig that holds your drill? Did you buy it or make it?

Thanks!

FlyBy

[streamer]

I dont use the a release agent, I just use plyers and turn the grip, it breaks loose easy and then unscrew it off the rod. I have never had a issue with cork breaking.
Here is some pics of the lath i build.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery4551391e6588a.jpg

http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery4552717ac7338.jpg

[FlyBy]

Ok, thanks.

What is that shown in the last photo, the sleeve the rod slides into?

FlyBy

[rickster]

Pretty slick Streamer;) , and looks like "on a budget" :money: as well. I like it.

Also, got your P.M. and was not being rude, just real busy. I will give you a call, maybe the week after Thanksgiving.

Again, pretty slick lathe.

rickster

[streamer]

flyby, it a bushing i found at homedepot.

Rickster, no worries.

[GonetoSeed]

Neat post streamer. I think you did a great job explaining. And that's a great looking grip as an example. Is it going on a special blank?

[streamer]

Thanks GTS, I was hoping others would understand it. It going on a new rainshadow 7'9'' 3wt. Not a special blank, but i really like it.:)

[GonetoSeed]

They build into a great small stream rod imo. Looking forward to some fish porn pics with the finished rod in the background.

[Ivan]

Gonetoseed is there a way to retain this post as a sticky?

[Ivan]

Thanks to who ever did this. I think we should sticky some of How to's. There is some good stuff that you guys have posted and I am sure they would be a benifit both new and old builders alike. Again thanks.

[streamer]

Wow, my first post to be pinned.:cheers:


Ivan, I hope this helps you out, you are one of the people i took the pics for, i figured i would go ahead and post it for everyone.
How's the 10wt coming?

[GonetoSeed]

I did the sticky. The first real moderator thing I've done :) This forum stays cool, calm and collected so no need for deleting, freezing, etc.

Let me know if there are a some others to consider. Some of the How-To posts are mine I think stick them without request would be pretty arrogant.

[rickster]

Hey Streamer,

Do you have a home made winding device as well that you could share some pictures of as well?

Again, great job on posting this.

rickster

[streamer]

rickster, yes, Ill take some pics today and post them for you.

[streamer]

Here you go rickster, here's my homemade rod wraper.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery4562279a17206.jpg
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery456227c2883e8.jpg
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/uploads/gallery456227f326b64.jpg

[rickster]

You da man!

Thanks, rickster

[Jaiyman]

Awesome!!!

[Orangepowerbait]

very nice. what type of burl did you use? I see that they offer light, dark and other variations. Do you have any spinner pics?

[Lonewolf867]

Quick question. How does wood play into the equation? I have seen grips with wood accents and I always wondered how they felt or how hard it would be to shape?

Mike

[KBProctor]

With wood accents, I try to keep them out from under the thumb or heel of the hand. You can make the grip a tad log to help with this. An all wood grip is not uncomfortable or slippery.

Shape the wood bits first, glue up and then sand cork to fit.

[Remoh]

Beautiful work