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Posts: 314
Location: Bristol, IN | I have several rods that have too short of a butt end for my liking. I was thinking of modifying the length that would look rather crude. What are your suggestions to remedy the short butt problem?
The ideal length for me is 16" or longer from the reel seat to butt end. The reel seats are Fugi TCS, and the measurement is 16" from the back slot off the reel seat to the butt end.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Mike Albright
Edited by MuskyTaleMike 2/3/2009 12:53 PM
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Posts: 576
Location: nappanee IN | oh it's the end of your rod butt that is too big, i see sorry dude, couldn't resist..karol |
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Posts: 2378
| lop off the butt cap...sand down a wood dowel so it fits nice and snug about 6 inches up inside the blank...epoxy the dowel in...get some cork rings...ream them out and epoxy or gorilla glue them to the dowel...once the glue is dry sand the new cork down until it is nice and smooth.
I have done this on about 6 rods now...works great. You can make the addition as long as you want.
Or, you can go the easy route and just find a rod builder to do it for you |
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Posts: 1710
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Also if you can contact a rod builder and get a 12-15" section of butt scrap. If it is too narrow shim it with mesh drywall tape so the epoxy goes all the way to the narrow blank and the mesh will hold the plug in the center. Then add your cork (leave a little at the end to clamp the cork rings down so they stay together) chop off the excess blank when it dries and reglue the butt cap back on and sand the whole thing smooth. |
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Posts: 375
| if you are going to do that it would also be the perfect time to balance the rod(s)...! |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | I take the easy route and take mine to Throne Bros |
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| I like the idea Baldy. Simple enough and would look rather professional if done with care. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Just curious, how many of you like the extended rod handles? Just wondering why rod manufacturers do not sell rods with long butts? |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | When you lengthen your rod always put the extention on the outside of the main rod, never add the piece to the inside. Ask any rod builder. |
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Posts: 2378
| PIKEMASTER - 2/6/2009 8:05 AM
When you lengthen your rod always put the extention on the outside of the main rod, never add the piece to the inside. Ask any rod builder.
That is impossible without rebuilding the entire rod. Not very likely on a rod that you already own.
Thorne Brothers does a lot of after market extensions, and I'm sure they are doing them on the inside not the outside.
Extensions on the outside may be better, but unless you are building a rod from scratch it is not an option. |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | Several wraps of thread around the existing butt section prior to insertion of the extension will greatly reduce the risk of failure. The blank by itself has only modest resistance to splitting if not reinforced in this manner.
S. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | If you are going to lengthen the rod 6" make sure you add 6" plus in side of rod. I take all the cork off and add to the outside of the main rod and replace all the cork, takes more time but I was told this is the best way to add more then 4" to a rod. Also the best glue to use is ROD BOND. |
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Posts: 1
Location: Winslow, IN | You can slide an aluminum tubing over the handle and use the tape to your liking to wrap it. It does not look great, but is easy and effective. |
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Posts: 434
Location: searchin for 50 | Take it to a rod builder they will have all necessary materials to do the job right and you will not have to worry about your rod failing. Another option sell your rods and buy longer ones. |
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | mike you can always take it to larry, you know he will make it longer for you. take it in and drop them off to gary. why do it yourself and risk it breaking and loosing a rod/reel when you cast.. i have need the extensions break too...bill |
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Posts: 1023
| I have built many fly rods and I can say that the best ideas above involve cutting off the butt cap and then bringing the rod to your local tackle shop and finding a scrap piece of graphite rod blank that fits inside, (close to snug). It does not need to be tight (but close) as you can build it up with masking tape and then epoxy it inside your blank (by 6 inches or so). Pick up some cork rings, use 5 minute epoxy and glue the rings together on their own, clamp it in a vise, ream them to fit on your rod, epoxy them onto your rod, sand them down with 150 to 400 grit to match the original cork and add on your new or salvaged butt cap. Total cost 10 dollars tops! This would be better than wood doweling although I am sure that would work too.
I may just do this to one of my rods too:) |
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Posts: 1023
| Oops - you also need to reinforce the bottom of your rod with thread and epoxy as mentioned above to avoid splitting!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 314
Location: Bristol, IN | Thanks to all for the information you have provided. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Just curious Mike. What did you do and did it work out for you? |
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Posts: 4266
| I don't trust dowels especially at the very end of the rod. I order graphite extensions from www.golfsmith.com Thay are slightly tapered, and are made for lengthening golf club shafts and work like a million bucks.
Beav |
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Posts: 314
Location: Bristol, IN | I have not done anything as of yet. I'm going to have a fellow do them for me. He did a great job on my buddies rod. |
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