| PART 3 - Attaching the Grip |
Probably the easiest part of rod building if you're using pre-made grips, one of the hardest if you choose rings. This article will assume the beginning rod builder will be using pre-made grips. After you get a little experience under you belt give rings a try for a totally custom look and feel!
|
 With the reel seat attached and the epoxy fully cured, the next step is fitting the fore grip.
|
 More than likely you're going to need to increase the size of the hole running through your fore grip to accommodate the blank.
|
 You can get a set of cork reams for about $20 which will cover most rods. For very small diameter blanks you might need to buy a ream smaller than what you can typicaly find in true cork reams. Stop by your local hardware store and pick one a small diameter round metal ream (shown on the left).
|
 Start with the smallest ream and work larger until the grip fits very loosely down to the reel seat. Don't try and take too much material off at a time of you may break the grip; work slowly.
|
 After the grip is reamed out to the correct size, slide it onto the blank and place a wrap of tape on the reel seat. This will keep epoxy off the seat where you don't want it.
|
 Mix up another batch of epoxy and coat the portion of the blank which will be underneath the grip.
|
 Slide the grip down to the top of the reel seat. Keep an eye out where the grip meets the reel seat, often epoxy will be pushed out. Make sure to remove any excess!
|
 Hold in place until the epoxy is set or use a cork ring clamp.
|
 Dry fit winding check. When the correct size check is in place, slide it a couple inches back up the blank.
|
 Mix up another very small batch of epoxy, place just a bit on the top of the grip next to the blank. Slide the check down into place and allow the epoxy to dry.
|
Intro
Finding the Spine
Attaching the Reel Seat
Grip
NEXT - Guides
Finishing and Tip Top |
 |
|
