This is how I have been doing it. The secret is to use filament strapping tape, then cover it with heat shrink. You can also cover the strapping tape with electrical tape but that always seems to shrink a bit and leave sticky residue.

This is an ice rod I just did for myself.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2017 10:01AM by Chuck Mills.

you do good work , I have one question for you, the real fine black line that you used to offset the checker squares from the handle [ real fine dark line ] what is that ?
a cork slice ? card stock ? I could not tell , please fill me in , as I do a lot of that type handles , I think it looks great, Bill

William Sidney
AK

Thanks Bill! That thin black line is a 1/32" slice of burnt cork. I cut it on the Mudhole cork slicing jig by using a thick washer in the bottom of the jig. Drink decaf and go slow with the saw.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Looks GOOD Chuck

What type of tape is the red stuff?

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

It is Scotch Filament Tape. I just used red because I got a bunch of it free.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Cool, Thanks.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

The reason for the filament tape is because it does not stretch.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Another suggestion on the fine line between the checkerboard and cork. I get the same effect between burl and cork by using rubber/cork gasket material I buy from the auto parts store.

i use the filament / shipping tape also. zero stretch, reel stays put. i use colored athletic trainers tape ( mildy sticky cloth tape ) for building the grip over the reel. comes in lots of colors too. the cloth grip wont get hot in the Fl sun either. one thing, the shipping tape is very adhesive, f you plan on swapping reels on a semi regular basis, i would 'back wrap' ( sticky side up ) where the reel is to sit before applying the shipping tape.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2017 07:23PM by Sam Folds III.

Looks great!! I like it, may have to try that on one of my upcoming builds

Thx

I use cold snap reel wraps on all my ice rods and have yet to have problems. I like them because it doesn't cover up any of the handle

Brody Haakenson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I use cold snap reel wraps on all my ice rods and
> have yet to have problems. I like them because it
> doesn't cover up any of the handle

Brody - I have seen those, but never used them. It looks like it would feel a little weird. How are they for comfort? I'm not worried about covering up the handle - my hand does a good job of that anyway. =) FYI - you can buy those Castration Bands online or at Vet supply places.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2017 08:26AM by Chuck Mills.

i think they are pretty comfortable. I hold the rods in a pistol grip style so i rarely hold onto the handle unless i hook into a decent fish.

At first i bought a pack of the cold snaps so that i could get the tool to put the bands on easier.

I did go buy a bag of the castration bands at the vet supply store. About 2 bucks for 100 bands there instead of buying more of the cold snaps

castration bands at the vet supply store, Man just thinking about that makes me wince, Thats Gotta hurt like h#ll. Jaa



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2017 04:06AM by Jay Dubay.