shave rod handle

[fishin dad]

Has anyone ever tried to sand or shave down a rod handle to make it smaller. I've found some rods I really like but wish the cork handle wasn't so thick. Is this a good or bad idea?

[MSUICEMAN]

you can if you want... the thing is it is much easier to do before its on the rod... if its a straight grip it should be too hard... use a sanding block to keep it straight.

[Mattman]

Modifying of grips is pretty common. Unless you sand far enough to damage the blank, you won't have any troubles.


Matt Davis

Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

[Klass Act]

Do you know anybody with a lathe ?

Slow speed, sandpaper, 5 minutes. If you want details - let me know.

[Auggie264]

When I do it I take a saws-all to the desired length. I'll sand it smooth and cover the but with some epoxy.

[REW]

Fishin Dad,
I don't know where you live, but if you like you can send it to me and I will take care of it.

I have a variable speed rod lathe that was made specifically for this task.

To do a good job of turning down the grip, the rod needs to be spinning. You can't use a conventional one speed lathe, because it is quite likely that you will build up oscillation and cause the rod to explode.

The job only takes a few minutes, once the rod has been placed in the lathe and balanced to avoid oscillation.

I am in Minneapolis, so give me a call for any other questions.

REW

hflier@comcast.net

[Klass Act]

How about a wet rag over the blank about 3/4ths of the way toward rod tip. Light hand palm touch on the rag, Slow speed, taped butt in the chuck ? Tape the tip also to guard against oscillation damage.

You are a good man for making that offering. I'm a firm believer to err on the side of trust. Not to mistrust you, but in this days world, who can we trust ? - Please understand the following from the outside in, the inside out, and all sides of the page in between - Folks, if you use any mail in service, get a contractual agreement before you proceed, or you stand the greater chance of kissing your rod good-by without recompense . Again, not trying to be a trouble maker - just helpful.

[REW]

Klass,
The wet rag on the rod toward the tip will guarentee an exploded rod!!

The wet rag will stick to the rod, wrap around the rod and the spinning lathe will blow it apart.

Very bad idea!!

Some folks will use a dry towel for this purpose, but I think that even that is a very bad idea. It is just too easy for the edges of the cloth to grab, instantly wrap, throw the rod out of balance and blow it apart.

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If you want to balance the rod, it is a much better idea to take some guides and tape them on the opposite sides of the corresponding guide. By doing this, you will tend to even out the balance of the rod.

The key thing is to use a variable speed motor - and use adjustable supports on the rod, so that you can move the supports up and down the rod. By doing this you can easily minimize the rod shaking and vibration.

Take care
REW

[skamaniac]

Just hand sand it. It may take longer but you'll get it the way you want it.

[skamaniac]

Just hand sand it. It may take longer but you'll get it the way you want it.