| PART 2 - Attaching the Reel Seat |
There are many different variations of reel seats and grips available. Pretty much all of them are assembled and attached in the same way. This example does not use a rear grip. If you're using one, place it on before attaching the reel seat using the same technique as this article shows for the fore grip.
With the blank spined your next step will be to attach the reel seat.
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 Place a wrap of masking tape on top and one on bottom of the reel seat. This will prevent any unwanted epoxy from adhering to it during assembly.
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 Start by dry fitting the reel seat, make a mental note of how large you'll need to build the tape wraps to tighten the seat to the blank. Place a wrap of masking tape on the blank at the top of the seat, this will prevent any unwanted epoxy from adhering to the blank as well as provide an index mark for alignment. Remove the reel seat.
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 Holding the blank up to your eye, align the 2 spine marks, draw an alignment mark on the piece of tape you just added. You'll cover the bottom alignment mark with the reel seat.
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 Using masking tape, build up 2 areas on the blank evenly spaced out under where the reel seat will be placed. You can use graphite arbors instead of tape, but I find them not worth the money, time, or effort.
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 Check the fit. The reel seat needs to slide very easily over the wraps, a bit loose is better than too tight. Remember, you need to leave room for a good thick coat of epoxy over the tape.
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 Mix up enough 2-part epoxy to fill the reel seat and a bit more to account for drippage. I ALWAYS mix more than I think I'll need. When you've got your hands full the last thing you want to be forced to do is mix up more epoxy.
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 Slide the reel seat down the blank and hold it just above where it will be placed. Coat the bottom portion of the blank and tape with epoxy, slide the seat down into place.
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 If required fill the bottom with more epoxy and insert the cap, tape in place.
If required fill the top of the reel seat with epoxy making sure not to get it on the blank.
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 Using the 2 alignment marks make sure the seat is aligned correctly.
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 Just before the epoxy sets up remove the tape at the top of the reel seat.
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Intro
Finding the Spine
Attaching the Reel Seat
NEXT - Grip
Guides
Finishing and Tip Top |
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