I am sure this has been discussed before and I am sure there is a valid reason not to do it, but I have a medium power rod blank that is almost perfect if it was just a little bit stiffer. If I added some of the expanding foam into the butt and let it rise, shaved it even and then put the butt cap back on, would that not add a little stiffness to the blank? I know it will add some small amount of weight but I am not overly concerned about that. Just need a little stiffer blank. What say you?

It may work if it got far enough into the blank, but probably only temporarily, as it will break down under constant flexing of the rod.

How much does the lure weigh that you are using
Sounds like the rod is TOO light for the lure and you need maybe one up on a rod -- according to the lure spects and lure weight

Bill - willierods.com

Do you think the expanding foam will adhere to the blank wall after casting and fighting a fish? What about over time?

I think all it will do is to deaden the blank taking away from its ability to transmit subtle vibrations thus making it harder to detect a fish bite.

Cutting a half inch (or even an inch) off the tip may be a solution. It would slow the action slightly and may (or may not) require respacing the guides. I do this with many of my rods where I want increased stiffness (more power and increased lure weights).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2014 07:27AM by jim spooner.

X10 on Jim's comment.

Any time that I want to stiffen the blank a bit, I just cut a bit from the tip. Often, cutting as little as 1/2 in inch gives me the extra stiffness that I would like.

Be safe

tape a guide on about 1/2" from the tip ring Go out and test cast it using the tapped guide as the top Then try 1" until you feel it casts well for you

Then cut

Bill - willierods.com

No, I do not think foam will stiffen the blank. I think you are pretty much stuck with what it is. Cutting tip, maybe, if you just want to change the casting characteristics. I like the idea of testing casting it with a guide and do a CC test on it with the guide where you are thinking about cutting the tip.

Bill has the right idea to test the concept without destroying the rod. My experience is that whenever I've taken an inch off the tip, I didn't like the result. Maybe it's in my head, but it just seems like the blank isn't right any more. Feels dead.

Agreed, taking more than ½” can make a rod less versatile, however, for certain lures or techniques, shortening the tip can be beneficial (the benefits may be more appropriate in a new thread). I normally build on blanks that are longer than the length I’ll finish with. I usually cut from the butt end, but often cut from the tip to get what I’m after. I always measure the power and AA before I make the cuts. It’s just another advantage of being a custom builder.

I figured there was a good reason not to go with the foam. I think I am going to run the ERN numbers on it an inch back from the tip and proceed from there. Thanks for all the good advice.

Hmm,

Interesting question. I wouldn't dismiss the idea so quickly. I think the idea is worth testing. The foam probably isn't getting up into the blank where it really starts to bend so it might not crush and break down over time. There are all kinds of foams. Open cell, closed cell, different densities and properties. My gut tells me that if there were merit to this idea, it might be found in a closed cell foam similar to what insulation people use to insulate basement or foundation walls. That's not the kind of foam you get in a can to fill cracks from the big box stores.

Why not take an inexpensive blank and set up some test conditions. Do a full CCS measurement before and after. I think you could judge how far the foam got down into the blank by refrigerating the blank and then moving it into a warmer humid area. Think of the glass of ice water collecting water on the surface of the glass. You might be able to accurately determine how far the foam got in and make some conclusions as to the effect, if any, the foam had if the CCS numbers changed in a significant way.