Hello. I am trying to help a friend with a broken reel seat. I seen somewhere that you can sometimes boil the reel seat in water to try and losen a reel seat. Has anyone done this or what is the best method. The rod is just a cheap production rod and was asked to give it a try. The seat is a split grip style and the rear section is the issue. I would like to ask for some input on this as I have never done this and would like to see if I can get it done cleanly. Thanks for any help. Cory

I take it it has guides on and a butt grip Even getting the seat off How do you put the new seat on
If the section moves You can probably re-glue it ???

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2015 09:55AM by bill boettcher.

Are you trying to save the reel seat or the rod?

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It is possible to enclose the reel seat in a plastic bag, tie it off with a rubber band, and submerge it in boiling water just until the heat transfer loosens the glue enough to pull the seat off (assuming the guides have been removed and you can pull the reel seat in the direction of the taper.) That said, too much heat can/will harm the blank. More importantly, this method works best with custom rods where the reel seat has been affixed using products like Rod Bond. Cheap production rods, especially those made in China, seem to have some kind of adhesive that resists heat. I have tried several times to get the reel seat off a broken Chinese rod, and have never had success with the boiling method. The only way I've been able to do it --which likely destroys the blank-- is to heat a disposable rattail file in the wood stove til it's red hot, and shove it into the blank. I've saved reel seats and handles that way (although I note you say yours is broken) but I would not count on the integrity of the rod blank after that kind of treatment.

I find it just the opposite Rod bond is harder to get a seat off ( at least how I put them on )
Factory rods are easier Tips seats do not seem to be glued on even when they glue over a painted surface It sticks to the paint - but the paint does not stick to the blank I do it to the bare blank

Maybe I should build the way factory rods are built ---- No Way

Bill - willierods.com

The Rod is a two piece so only one guide will have to be removed. The seat is broken. I'm trying to save the blank. The Rod was given to me to try and repair. It's not so much about the repair but I like to try things like this on rods of no value so if the time arises I will have a good idea of how methods will work when I do need work on a rod of value. Thanks to all that took the time to reply. Cory

if the reel seat is broken, then cut the seat from top to bottom on opposite sides of the seat and use a screw driver to pry the two halves apart.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

Thanks to all for your input on this. Cory