Another Cork Handle question

[Drake]

In the article (see below) it mentions “For uplocking grips with an inlet hood, I glue the first two rings together first, to avoid crushing the thin walled ring that accepts the reel seat hood.” Do you guys do this or do you drill it out after the handle is dry.

Do you guys pre-drill each ring to the diameter of where the top of the handle will sit on the blank before it is glued? I realize even if you pre-drill everything that there is still final boring to do after it is dry. Thanks.

http://www.globalflyfisher.com/rodbuilding/grips/

[cheech]

Mike- I think the method that was mentioned in the site will work, but I have a few beefs. First of all, the cork that you got is all bored out to a 1/4" hole. there really isn't any need to pre-bore it. The risk you take with pre-boring the grip is that you might not get it perfectly centered on the lathe. This makes for some funky grips. If you are careful, you can do a really nice job with a rat-tail file after the grip is turned. I also absolutely would not glue the rings together with epoxy. Epoxy is so much harder than cork, and as the cork starts to wear a little bit, the epoxy won't wear at all. You will have a wavy grip. I have been using Titebond II wood glue and it works great. Just make sure you leave it to glue on the rod for no less than 12 hours and no longer than 48 hours. As far as recesssing the grip for the reel seat, I have done all of mine after the grip is finished. I do it with a cylindrical sanding attachment on a dremel (on the lowest speed). If you don't have a dremel, you can use mine for a night.

Hope this helps.

cheech

[Drake]

Thanks cheech. I'll take your advice. Jason told me about the Tight Bond II, so I picked some up. I won't have a problem getting the handle off the threaded rod after 12 hours will I? I imagine there will be some leakage onto the rod from the glue coming out of the seems.

[cheech]

The leakage is actually a good thing. In 12 hours the glue will still be a little bit moist on the inside. I actually take the glued handle off of the threaded rod, and put in onto a plain rod. The moist glue kind of keeps it in place without having to put nuts on it. It just makes it a bit easier.