Broken rod handle. Can I fix???

[Oldbritguy]

A few years ago I built a really nice 6' casting rod using a graphite blank epoxied into one of those old-style solid plastic cranked handles, with the screw clamp to hold the reel.  Handle just broke across the screw hole. I was left holding the handle and the reel.  No rod!  Luckily there was no fish on the other end, just a chunk of weed.  So I was able to retreive the rod.

I'd really like to save this rod, as I love the way it casts. I have another old cranked handle I can use, it's aluminum and better quality.  Buy how to get the epoxied blank out of the broken handle first?   Is there any way to soften epoxy, or should I try to grind the broken plastic handle down to  suitable size to fit the one I want to use?  Any ideas very welcome. . .

[BobP]

I've removed handles by cutting the handle with a Dremel cut-off wheel (careful not to cut into the graphite blank!) and peeling the rest of the handle off with pliers.  You can heat any remaining epoxy with a heat gun to soften it and peel/slice it off the blank with a single edged razor blade. 

[.RM.]

BobP is right as far as removing the old grip with a dremel, but you can also heat a pan of water to the boiling point.

Then submerge the grip to loosen all the epoxy and twist the blank out (hopefuly).

The one problem width modern blanks they will melt at 300° F, and water boils at 312°F if I remember right.

You would have to watch the blank carefully, or use a thermometer and wait until the water temp drops below the boiling point..

But I think it could be done carefully....

Good Luck & Tight Wraps!

[Oldbritguy]

Sounds good.  Maybe I'll try the boiling water technique. 

Somehow I thought water boiled at 212 Fahr, but at 75 my memory is certainly not what it was, and it was never that good either . . . 

Thanks anyway. . .

[J Francho]

Water boils at 212 °F, or 100 °C.

[ksboy]

In golf shaft removal, it's common to use a heat gun to soften the epoxy enough to remove the shaft. I imagine this would work with a rod but I've never actually tried it. Some golf shops use a torch (it's quicker) I've never heard of anyone having any trouble with the graphite using this method of extraction.

Just another 2 cents worth.