Don't remember if I ever linked to this or not. The discussion last week about grip coring and how large the core should be relative to the outer grip is here:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Since the idea is to save weight, you want the core to be as large as possible, which means it should be just a tad bit smaller in OD than the smallest diameter portion of the outer grip. There are full details and more photos in Volume 14 #6.

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I'm going to attempt some cored wood grips this winter and being Canadian don't have easy access to that volume, what size bit would you bore with for a handle min size 1", I was thinking 5/8" but you seem to be indicating larger? I will be using a lathe.

It all depends on what size your grip will be. I'd go as large as I can to reduce weight by as much as possible.

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Thanks, think I will experiment with 5/8" and 7/8".

Tom,

I'm starting a build now that I will be experimenting with wood handles. Without having a two part eurathane foam, is there any reason why I cant turn the wood handles and bore them out to the same size as a reel seat arbor and then glue them in place onto the reel seat arbors? My train of thought is to turn the handles and bore them to the same diameter of the reel seat arbors, cut to length multiple reel seat arbors to get the right length, ream them out and glue them onto the rod and then slide the entire wooden handle onto the reel seat arbors and glue it into place. Keep in mind this whole process would be to install roughly a 10 inch rear wooden handle. For the front grip I don't see why you couldn't just ream it and glue it into place due to its short length.

The foam arbors from Flex Coat are more than good enough and easy to glue end to end to get the lengths you need.

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Perfect, that is exactly what I ordered and I didn't see why it wouldn't work. I'm excited to branch out into the wooden grip world as I have been thinking about it for a while now.

Nathan

Any weight you can lose on a rod is a good thing
If you can do the foregrip also - Don't get lazy

Bill - willierods.com

Bill

I planned on doing the foregrip as well by coring out as much as I could without going all the way through, that way the front will be a finished edge but the backside will be all foam core which will be covered by the reel seat. The reel seat spacer will probably be made out of acrylic like my last build and the butt section of grip will be similarly shaped to the new St Croix Inshore Legend Extreme. I held the rod about 2 months back and it was incredibly comfortable in the hand and I am going to replicate it as close as possible with a single piece wooden rear grip section. I plan on cutting and gluing multiple times to inlay some patterns into the handle as well. It will be a few days until the components come in but I will hopefully begin turning the handle this week after I glue it all up.

Thanks Tom. The request was from me and i submitted in the middle of a similar topic. This helps allot.

Thanks

Gabe

Gabe Neal

Neal's Custom Rods

I use 20mm foam reel seat arbors and bore with a 20mm Forstner bit.

Phil,

How deep are you cutting with the Forstner bit into the handle? I'm using 3/4 inch foam arbors and was going to use a 3/4 forstner bit but I can't figure out how to extend it long enough to core out a grip. I was looking at an 18 inch 3/4 in drill bit but I think the forstner will give a cleaner cut. I've also seen boring drill bits that are long enough but again figured the forstner would be better.

Nathan,

Check I've never used these myself, but they might be what your looking for:

[www.mlcswoodworking.com]