Opinions Needed On Fixing Rod Guide

[Senko lover]

So today I noticed a scratchy sound when I reeled in. I thought it was my reel but I was pretty sure it was coming from my rod.

Turns out the top guide had lost some of the metal in the very tip, and it was fraying the line and causing a weird sound.

Not one of those things I can just make do with.

So what can I do? The rod is not worth shipping anywhere, as it is only a 50 dollar rod. Is there anything I can do at home or will it require profesional help?

I can post a pic if needed.

Thanks!

[5fishlimit]

If it's the very tip you can buy replacements at Walmart. Do it yourself.

[bigbill]

Get a replacement tip. Wal-Mart or ebay.

[Senko lover]

Yes but what do I do with the old one? Cut it off? Sorry if I seem ignorant, I have never done anything with rods before like this.

[EvanT123]

YouTube is your friend. It's a fairly easy job. The Fuji tip top kits will probably work but if you wanted to get technical you can take a pair of vernier calibers and measure about 1/2-3/4 of an inch below the very top of the rod and get the tip diameter. They are sold in 64th's of an inch. Then measure the guide ring they are sold in millimeters and buy a guide close to that size. I'd buy one guide smaller and larger than what(tip diameter) you get just to be on the safe side. It also doesn't hurt to have a few spares on hand.

[bigbill]

Heat the old rod tip with a match lightly. Just go near it. It should release from the rod tip. Only cut back to where the rod tip is solid.

Use some epoxy to install the new tip. Some new rod tips come with glue too.

I keep a assortment of New rod tips on hand.

[Senko lover]

Thanks so much guys. I know Walmart has a Fuji repair kit, so I will pick one up.

[Fisher-O-men]

I took mine to a local shop and they replaced it for $4,  part, labor and all.  Doubt your kit will beat that.  Check around!

[rippin-lips]

The insert came out. As mentioned heat up with a lighter and pull the old one off. Put the heat on the metal part of the guide and not the rod. Add a drop of epoxy and install your new tip. Get it straight and let sit overnight to fully cure.

[MickD]

It is easy for a newbie in rodbuilding and repair to overheat the blank and damage it.  The best way to avoid that is to apply tension to the tiptop as you heat it.  Then when the hot melt gives the tiptop will slide off with no excess heat having been applied to the blank.  Just use a rubber band hooked over something to provide the tension..

 

There is a problem with using epoxy or superglue to attach the new tiptop- it will not come off without applying quite a bit of heat in the event your new one needs to be replaced.  Better to use hot melt.  The best way to do this is to cut some hot melt chips from the hot melt stick and put them into the tiptop tube.  Then gently heat the tiptop barrel to just melt the chips (you can observe the ones that stick out the end of the tube.  Slip the tiptop onto the blank and you're done.  If you didn't get the tiptop aligned properly, just reheat it a little to get the hot melt soft and twist it into alignment.

 

There is a hot melt stick designed for this that is available at rodbuilding shops and sites, but any will work fine unless you live in a hot climate and let your rods get hot in a rodlocker or car trunk.  Which you shouldn't do anyway.

[tholmes]

Just a note of caution. When removing the old tip guide, be sure to pull it STRAIGHT! you can twist it a bit, but don't pull at an angle to the rod or you might break the end of the rod.

 

Yes, this is the voice of experience speaking. 

 

Tom