I've removed the foregrip and now need to remove the reel seat but with the epoxy holding it tight, I am looking for a smooth way to break the bond and remove the reel seat.

Any ideas?

If you installed it properly, it will be almost impossible to break the bond without damaging the resin that holds the blank together. Best best is to spiral cut the reel seat and then pry it open and pop it off.

Some builders have been able to break an epoxy bond by submersing the handle assembly in boiling water.

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Tom's correct, it is possible to use very hot water to help break the bond. I've done this successfully around a half dozen times to remove fly rod reel seats mounted with Rod Bond. But, there is risk involved and each case is a little different. In one case after removal of the seat I noticed that the bottom four inches of the blank had moved (deflected) around one degree. After things cooled down I stress tested the bottom of the blank and found it to be firm. Since this was a personal rod used only in certain situations I replaced the wood insert and reinstalled the reel seat.

Jeff

Hi Dave,
If you don't want to save the reel seat do as Tom suggested. I have used the boiling water for one seat that was a snug fit on the blank and didn't want to risk damaging the blank by cutting. If you use it you will find that it will take several imersions to get it off. The alternate heating and cooling seems to break the bond. A pair of multi grips will help to loosen it but don't over do it or the blank can be damaged. If you want the seat you will need to wrap a rag around the seat to protect it from the multi grips. You need to keep boiling the water for best results. You can make a container to do it from a piece of pvc pipe with a cap on one end. I found a piece 3 or 4 inches in diameter and long enough to cover the seat well was the go.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

For me, the time it takes to get a well mounted seat off with boiling water, it's much quicker to cut it off and start again. Spiral cut the seat as Tom suggested and proceed with the repair. All it takes is a little care to avoid cutting into the blank. A dremel tool with a fiberglass reinforced cut-off wheel is a great tool for this work.

Terry

If you don't want to save the blank and want save the reel seat. You could heat up a metal rod with a torch. The metal rod should be about the size of the butt section of the blank. I use an old piece of a bar-b-que spit. Grab the glowing rod with vice grips and insert the rod into the butt section. The reel seat will slip right off, of course the blank is toasted.