Cork Repairs

[Mike L]

Another thread prompts this question…

 

I have a few full cork rods that are pitted kinda bad. 
What kind of filler do you guys use and how would you use it to fill the voids??
 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Boomstick]

Following, because I have a few semi pitted rods.

 

One thing you can do to prevent pitting is to apply U-40 cork sealant to the rods when they are new, but once pitting has happened, I'm not really sure what to do.

[Mike L]

Yeah that’s where I’m at. 
I seal when I get them and maybe once a year depending on use, but these are a few of the older ones I have and were kinda neglected. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[MN Fisher]

I don't have any pitted yet - but if I do, this is what I'd use. Strong, lightweight, close to the same color

https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/model-lite-balsa-filler-balsa-brown-240cc/DLMBD6.html

 

Balsa RC plane guys use this for repairs.

[Jig Man]

I used to mix sawdust with glue, fill the holes let it dry, sand it down then seal it.  That was before I discovered heat shrink tubing.  Now I put it on the rods immediately and don’t have any worries.

[thunderblack]

Elmers Golden Oak wood filler interior. Awesome product!

[Mike L]

Thanks Fellers

 

 

 

 

Mike

[RDB]

Last time I repaired one, I sanded a wine cork to create a dust and mixed with wood glue (much like the sawdust example above) to a cookie dough consistency.  You may have to apply more than once because when it dries, you may get some shrinkage.  Then just sand, clean, and seal.

[cyclops2]

Nothing beats a cork.  

 

 Unless it goes POP.     ?

[Log Catcher]

I had to do this to the handles on my rods. I used Dap Golden Oak wood filler in a squeeze tube. After it dries then sand it down and put U40 Cork Sealer on it. The color is not an exact match. It is slightly darker than the cork. Be sure you put some masking tape on the rod blank and around the reel seat to keep them from getting scratched up or wood filler on them.

 

I bought some little 1" wide foam brushes to put the sealer on and it doesn't take much.

 

If you go to Flukemasters website he has a video about doing this.

[WRB]

Grind up wine bottle corks with a coffe bean grinder in lieu of saw dust. Mix with any slow drying clear water proof glue. Fill the voids, let dry and sand until smooth. Final step polish with Mr. Clean pad. I don’t use sealers.

Tom

 

[RDB]

22 minutes ago, WRB said:

Grind up wine bottle corks with a coffe bean grinder in lieu of saw dust. Mix with any slow drying clear water proof glue. Fill the voids, let dry and sand until smooth. Final step polish with Mr. Clean pad. I don’t use sealers.

Tom

 

The coffee bean grinder is a good idea I hadn’t thought of.  I have just sanded a wine cork with a belt sander which is messier and more hassle.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Golden Oak wood filler is easiest and works well. Cork dust and glue definitely works but way more work 

[Chaos10691]

5 hours ago, RDB said:

Last time I repaired one, I sanded a wine cork to create a dust and mixed with wood glue (much like the sawdust example above) to a cookie dough consistency.  You may have to apply more than once because when it dries, you may get some shrinkage.  Then just sand, clean, and seal.

This is exactly what I did for putted cork and even repaired splitting cork with it. 

[new2BC4bass]

20 hours ago, Jig Man said:

I used to mix sawdust with glue, fill the holes let it dry, sand it down then seal it.  That was before I discovered heat shrink tubing.  Now I put it on the rods immediately and don’t have any worries.

Thanks for the idea.  Where do you get the shrink wrap?  Any particular size that works best?  I purchased a new fly rod that is highly regarded in its price range except.........it is known for having a cork handle that is pi$$ poor.  I figured to either seal it with U-40 or wrap it with something.  Was thinking I'd prefer to wrap it except I don't know if it would make my hand sore where the wraps overlapped.  Shrink wrap sounds like a better solution.

[Jig Man]

It isn’t shrink wrap it is shrink tubing.  Lately I have been buying it from Mud Hole rod building and tackle crafting.  I get the CRB Flocked.  The best gripping is the black and red but they all are pretty good.

 

You have to measure your rod handle then decide what will work best.  Most of my rods need the 40mm.

[NYWayfarer]

I use sandpaper on wine corks. Then I mix some Elmer’s glue in the cork dust and use a popsicle stick like a trowel to fill any holes with the mixture.
 

Has worked fine for me for years.

[bulldog1935]

On 1/4/2022 at 8:14 AM, Jig Man said:

It isn’t shrink wrap it is shrink tubing.  Lately I have been buying it from Mud Hole rod building and tackle crafting.  I get the CRB Flocked.  The best gripping is the black and red but they all are pretty good.

 

You have to measure your rod handle then decide what will work best.  Most of my rods need the 40mm.

Here's one - ok three - for you - I put the fore-grip on my 14' surf rod starting with inexpensive (beaver) cork tape, then covering with X-shrink tube

 

Indexed-position grips on my kayak paddle by rolling on thin closed-cell foam using 3M 77 spray glue, then X-shrink

 

I rescued the splitting foam grip on my stake-out pole with X-shrink

 

The quickest way to apply this stuff is using a tea kettle over the sink. 

Pour boiling water starting at the center and work toward each end.