shortening butt on spinning rod

[Smallieaddict]

Hey guys how's it going? I got a question for you all on how to shorten the butt of my aetos and a few other spinning rods. I fish from kayak and small canoe and Jon boat 100% of the time. In the yak and canoe I don't like the length of the butt section of the longer rods. My 6'3 avid is perfect. Any way to modify  and use my existing cork to fix the problem?  Thanks guys.

[MickD]

How much do you want to shorten them, and are they full cork grips or split grips?

 

If full cork, just cut them off, round off the end of the cork to a pleasing curve  and put an auto interior trim bumper from O'Reily's (look in their interior trim fasteners display for a bumper that is about 5/8 in diameter, sand the areas that will contact the epoxy to get rid of mold release agent) on it.  Using epoxy.  

 

If split grip, then I don't think you can salvage the butt knob but will have to buy new ones from a source such as Mudhole.com.  You'll have to ream the piece to fit the blank.  Use epoxy to glue it on.  If you need to plug a hole in the end, use the process above.  

 

To cut the blanks you have to be careful to avoid splintering them, very careful. MOst builders use a high speed tool such as a Dremel abrasive wheel.  Tightly tape the blank where it will be cut before cutting it.  Move the tool very slowly.

 

Be very sure of the length before cutting.  You cannot put it back on. ?

[Smallieaddict]

The rods are split grip, I would like to shorten them about half again what they are now. I figured the dremel part and was wondering about splintering.  Hmm I didn't want to have to buy new cork for the butt section, trying to be frugal as possible, was just checking to see if anyone knew a way to salvage existing cork.

[MickD]

You can try, but consider that you've chopped off a piece of blank with a butt knob on it.  How to clear the old blank piece?  Maybe someone has an idea I've not thought of.  If you try it, most likely will require a rotating tool of some sort, high speed would be best, but be sure you wear google type eye protection.  You will be making a whole bunch of little sharp things from dust to significantly bigger.

 

I suppose if the rod construction isn't very good you could get the blank out by applying heat and try to pull it out.  If you can do this then you can   build up the blank OD to fit and glue it back on.  Easiest way to do this is to wrap the blank with thread.  Won't take much. Worth a try.

[.ghoti.]

Steam will loosen the epoxy used to adhere the cork or eva to the blank. When you cut off the rear grip leave at least 1/4" of blank sticking out of the grip. Fire up your teapot.

Using pliers, hold the open end of the cut off blank in the steam whistling out of the teapot. When it gets good and hot, twist and pull the section of blank out of the grip.

 

To install the grip on the rod, build up the blank with masking tape, thread, or better yet, drywall tape. You want a slip fit. Apply epoxy, twist on the grip, and wipe the excess epoxy using a towel soaked in alcohol. Leave it alone for at least two hours, overnight would be even better.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Cut the butt off flush, trim the length accordingly then reattach the butt using a short splice inserted into each piece. A thin scrap blank, rod, or dowel will work. Just arbor whatever you use to match the taper. 

[OkobojiEagle]

... nobody is discussing how tip heavy this rod will be???

 

oe

[MickD]

This person has a need for special ergonomics which to him may be more important than balance.  

 

But if he wants to re-balance the rod he can slide and glue some lead sinkers into the sleeve or blank end to adjust balance.  It won't take much since he is only taking off an inch or two of blank, which is pretty light.

 

Smallieaddict, if you think you'll want to re-balance it then check it before you start to find the balance point, mark it, and when you do the rebuild add weights to get the balance point back where it was.  Keep in mind the rod will be heavier.   I generally do not add weight to affect balance, but this may be a case where it is warranted.  Your choice.  Cobble it together with tape to be able to try it out before final gluing.

[OkobojiEagle]

I'm aware of his situation, I fish from a small canoe and float tube, as well as from boat and shore.  I'm suggesting he think this through or he may find himself in a situation I went through fighting tennis elbow in my right arm for a year.  Balancing my rods, even though heavier, solved my problem.

 

oe

[Smallieaddict]

Thanks for the help fellas, I'm gonna practice on a couple scrap rods I have and get it down before I go cutting.

[gnappi]

On 2/3/2019 at 4:37 PM, MickD said:

This person has a need for special ergonomics which to him may be more important than balance.  

>>SNIP<<

Yup 100% spot on, balance be damned. I fish out of a 10' tinny from the bench seat, and a L-O-N-G handle clanks and whacks my vest and bench seat. I can deal with a bit tip heavy, not a long handle.

 

Unfortunately, rod builders today don't generally make rods with short grips, the rare exception is my 6' GX2 heavy rod.

 

I play guitar with my left hand on the neck, and am left handed, convenient for me as my strong hand is also my playing and casting hand.

[spoonplugger1]

Go to the Lamiglas site and check out the Paco kayak rods, the graphite tube gives you a nice slick butt when coming out of a rod holder or vertical rod tube behind you and you can adjust your rear grip length to whatever you want, use what's left of your split or full grips as arbors to just slide the tube over and glue in place, install a butt cap and go fishing.

By the way the tube won't be slick in your hand any more than that hickory handle in you hammer, axe, etc is.