Recessing Cork Handles

[Fishin' Junkie]

To those of you out there who turn your own cork handles, I was wondering what I do to recess the reel seat into the handle? Basically, what type of drill bit do I need to do this?

Also, I purchased a pile of cork rings a while ago when Norm organized the order. I turned one, and it looks great. The only thing is that it has more of a dull color to it after sanding that before. I was hoping for the the colors to be a bit more vibrant like they were before I sanded it down. Any suggestions? Is there something you guys put on your cork to "seal" it or in other words protect it that will bring the natural colors out as well.

Thanks for the info!

[flyfshr8]

I press the upper or lower ring into the cork, then use a dremmel and sanding wheel on the slowest speed to sand it out. I stay a little smaller for a tight fit. Then take a rat-tail file and bore it out to the blank size.

I buy my cork grips whole so I don't know about the sanding of rings. Is your paper the right grit? If I use a pretty coarse grit to clean one, it lightens it up. All I can think of is that the paper my be sliding more than removing cork, and burnishing the cork a bit.

Your cork rings are on the blank already arent they?

Clete

[cheech]

I use a slot bit to recess mine. It's easiest to do before you turn the handle. Rod-blanks.com also sells a tool to recess grips. To make those colors stand out, you can use cork seal, but it may make the grip a little slippery. You can use teak oil to rub on it. Teak oil won't cause it to be slippery, and it will seal it. If you have a high speed lathe, you can put a coat of beeswax on it. Buff it all off at a high speed, and it will give you a nice looking finish without making the grip slippery.

[flyfshr8]

How much darker is the cork after the teak oil? That sounds cool.......

[Fishin' Junkie]

My cork rings aren't on the blank yet, so I can drill the hole, and put a finish on it. I have some teak oil, so I'll try that. Do I go to Home Depot for the bit?

[newtyer]

what grit sand paper did you use?

[Fishin' Junkie]

The final pass w/sandpaper was 400 grit. It is pretty smooth.

[newtyer]

it will get a smooth finish on it over time by just using it, or try and seal it. I never actually have used a cork sealer before so i dont know what it would do. maybe seal a extra ring you haven't used yet and see if you like it, you could always sand off the finish afterwards.