I am building my second and third rod using the Fuji SK2 casting reel seat. On the first, I used the masking tape method for the arbor. I don't know why, but I decided to use the foam core arbors for rods two and three. I epoxied them into the reel seat and then reamed them to correct size. Because I am working on 7'6" blanks the arbor material was very thin before I obtained the correct fit. I epoxied both rear seats on both rods following this procedure. I measured the blank and ordered the correct winding checks to fit.

The checks arrived yesterday and I slipped them down the blank to test the fit. They would not go into the seat - even with encouragement.

Careful examination revealed several probable causes. First, my reaming was not perfect and the arbors were thinner on one side. Second, when I slid the seat with arbor down over the epoxy on the blank and let it dry, all wiggle factor went away. Third, some epoxy oozed up above the lip of the arbor into the area where the check base fits.

I used a small scissor point to pick some arbor and epoxy build up out. While this helped, it did not solve the fit problem. Eventually, I had to use a razor blade and remove almost all of the inset lip of the winding check. Lots of extra time and difficulty fixing what should have been easy.

Things learned:
1. When the size of the blank is nearly that of the arbor insert, revert to the masking tape method.
2. Be sure your arbor ream job is centered.
3. Be sure to insert and glue the winding checks before the reel seat glue has "fixed."



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/13/2012 12:19PM by randy stainer.

One important item you forgot to add.

Dryfit all the pieces before you glue up anything. Check it twice. Then, when you're sure all parts fit together perfectly, pull out the glue.

That is one of the exact reasons I use tape arbors, it is pretty fool proof at centering reel seats. Unless you have a reamer or razor wand the exact taper of the blank it takes a pretty good eye to keep everything centered when reaming, and thats no gaurentee that the ream might not drift to one side either especially if epoxy has ran into one side in the ID of what your reaming, epoxy being harder than cork or foam will make the hole off center Another suggestion I might make is to mock up all the parts before permanently gluing them down. But, look on the bright side, you probably wont do that agan.
Good luck!

Didn't mean to repeat what Lance said....he was quicker at the keyboard.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/13/2012 01:00PM by JIM MOWL.

get several rolls of 1/4" tape -- for the small stuff LOL

Bill - willierods.com

As stated dry-fit everything, everytime. I know what it's like waiting on parts and while you have a simple task such as the reel-seat and handle to put in place, without everything (all parts to your design/fit) there, negative results is a guine possibility. I still have some left over arbors, because I've found the samething you mentioned - so I refer to the tape when arbors are needed.

I had the same problem with the SK2 reel seat. After adding the new winding checks that go with this seat, the graphite arbor extended into the lip of the winding check, pushing it away from the reel seat. This happened during the "dry fit". I cut 1/16" off the end of the graphite arbor and it fit perfectly.

Couldn't this happen with any reel seat? Not just the SK2? Unless I'm missing something, the SK2 had nothing to do with the problems. What am I missing?

The SK2 is designed to leave the blank totally exposed on all sides between the rear and front pieces that hold the reel feet. This means the ends of the seat are exposed and a small crack (1/16th inch?) between the seat and the blank exists. The graphite winding checks are made to neatly cover that space more effectively and with more strength than the vinyl pieces traditionally used.

[www.mudhole.com]

[www.mudhole.com]

Yes, it could happen, especially in a no foregrip rod where you intend to use a fitted check to "end" the front of the seat.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/13/2012 05:38PM by randy stainer.

Got it, thanks, Randy