Need help from rod building guru's on a reel seat modification

[fishEguy]

Hi guys,
I've got a rod with a Fuji ACS reel seat on a Kistler LTX that I would like to modify if possible. I want to remove the "contoured finger edge" that I have highlighted. My question is this, will it cause any issues with the integrity of the seat holding tightly or anything like that? If not, can I remove it right down to the blank or should I just smooth out the edge itself?? Ultimately I would like it to feel as close to the Fuji seat in the bottom pic (on a Helium LTA) as possible. Also, any suggestions on how/what to use to remove it?

I know nothing about rod building so I appreciate all suggestions/help......thanks.....

[dpage70]

I looked at an ACS seat that I have here and I cannot tell whether or not the edge that you're talking about is solid or hollow. I'm assuming it would be a solid but there's no way to know for sure until you sand on one. If you decide to go for it put several layers of masking tape over the hole that the blank shows through just to make sure you don't sand the blank by accident. Start with some 60 grit or something really close that's pretty coarse and get down pretty close to where you want it to end up. After that use some 120, then 320, then finish off with some 800 and that will give it a good glass finish. Make sure you stop a little short of where you want to end up with 60 grit because the 120 with still remove material as you get the sand marks out. Anytime you start to wear through the masking tape over the hole stop and replace it. sanding into the blank would be bad. Again I have no idea whether that edge is hollow or solid, I'm just guessing that it probably is, I just can't tell at all by looking at one. It won't be hard thing to do if you decide to try it, just be careful, and remember that sanding into the blank would be bad

[fishEguy]

Good point, never even thought about it possibly being hollow. Just assumed it would be solid. Guess I should call Fuji to ask them. Thanks for the help......

Btw, do you think it would be bad if I sanded the blank??..... .......lol....

[majorflipper]

I just looked at one I have. I don't think you should sand all the way to the blank. You should be able to round off the ridge without any problems.


Modified by majorflipper at 11:00 AM 6/16/2011

[fishEguy]

Yup, contacted anglersresource.net and they said it's not hollow inside and that I could just sand it down as well. Thanks guys........