First fly rod - already messed it up

Troutinator · 10-29-2009, 04:31 PM

So I was JUST starting to admire how nice the handle on my first attemp to build a rod was looking when I messed it up. I'm too embarassed to explain what happened but the handle looks like pooh.
Is there anyway to save this expensive blank? I can't see anyway to salvage this. The handle is WELL epoxied on. I can't imagine trying to cut the blank off in front of the handle... I suspect that would ruin it.

Am I done with lesson 1? Should I just start over with a new blank and hang this one on my build desk as a reminder that a sanding wheel on a dremel is NOT an appropriate tool around cork?

Any advice appreciated. I've got thick skin, you can laugh at me too.

-r-

E. Harry · 10-29-2009, 05:22 PM

Troutinator,
Don't panic and start over. Your problem is not that serious. You can cut the cork off of the blank very easily with just a razor knife and if you have the reel seat epoxied on you can also cut that off with a moto tool.
You are going to destroy the cork and reel seat in the process but they are a lot cheaper than you blank.

Troutinator · 10-29-2009, 06:23 PM

Thanks for the encouragement, I guess it doesn't hurt to give it a shot.

I just could'nt inagine the blank not being ruined while cutting the cork and reel seat off. DO you then sand off the epoxy residue or is there a solvent?

TIA!

E. Harry · 10-30-2009, 03:40 PM

Scrape off what comes off easily and then put the replacement cork and reel seat on over what remains. The epoxy residue that is left should not show and will only add a very small amount of weight and the weight will be at the butt end of the rod where it will have very little affect on the rods performance.
Just take care when removing the cork and reel seat that you do not cut into the blanks carbon fibers. If you do have a mishap and cut into the blanks fibers it will not be a disaster but may require repair involving a sleeve over the damaged area.
Good luck

Troutinator · 10-30-2009, 08:27 PM

Thank-you sir, I really do appreciate any coaching...

Gooey · 11-02-2009, 10:14 AM

I know those woven graphite tubes are becoming quite popular...maybe just ream the cork down to a point it can fit inside a WG tube? consider the cork expensive spacers?!?

Tinman · 11-02-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troutinator

So I was JUST starting to admire how nice the handle on my first attemp to build a rod was looking when I messed it up. I'm too embarassed to explain what happened but the handle looks like pooh.
Is there anyway to save this expensive blank? I can't see anyway to salvage this. The handle is WELL epoxied on. I can't imagine trying to cut the blank off in front of the handle... I suspect that would ruin it.

Am I done with lesson 1? Should I just start over with a new blank and hang this one on my build desk as a reminder that a sanding wheel on a dremel is NOT an appropriate tool around cork?

Any advice appreciated. I've got thick skin, you can laugh at me too.

-r-

On the other hand, a mistake adds character to a rod. As your skills improve, you will look back on that first rod, and realize how much you have improved. You might want to consider finishing it as-is. Sometimes the imperfect or battle-damaged rods have an uncanny ability to catch fish.

Troutinator · 11-02-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinman

On the other hand, a mistake adds character to a rod. As your skills improve, you will look back on that first rod, and realize how much you have improved. You might want to consider finishing it as-is. Sometimes the imperfect or battle-damaged rods have an uncanny ability to catch fish.

Wow. What great advice. I have a tendency to obsess on perfection. In this case I think you're exactly right. I'm going to smooth out the damage as best I can and continue building it. It will always remind me not to try to take shortcuts and hurry things.

I truly appreciate all the advice. But I especially appreciate your perspective Tinman. It completely changed how I am looking at this rod. it's not a failure. It's just... a unique first effort.

You sir... rock.

E. Harry · 11-03-2009, 07:44 AM

Tinman,
I got a kick out of your advice. If it adds character and makes it lucky I think that I will start putting obvious errors in all of the rods that I build.
Do you have a house in Pacific City? I have a little place on Cindy Lane off of Airport Way. I have fished there for 40 years. I used to have a dory but now just fish the Bay.
Maybe sometime we should get together down there for a beer.

Tinman · 11-03-2009, 01:01 PM

Troutinator, thanks for the kind words, they brightened my day. Us engineers need to stick together.

E. Harry, I have a place up in Netarts, and I keep the dory there. Sure, let's have a beer at the Sportsmans soon. Send me a PM in a week or two.