First rod build maybe....

[rolloman]

Has anyone ever stripped all the components from a decent rod and been successful at using everything over on a new blank to end up with a new hybrid rod that was much better because of the superior blank. All of the components I would strip off are Fuju brand. I can't imagine any reason the guides couldn't be re-used. I think that possiby if the new blank was possibly slighty larger than the handle maybe I could ream the old handle for the new blank as long as it was only a very small amount. I could probably buy new cork if I have to because I don't know how I would get it off the old blank without destroying it.
Any help would be aprreciated. I don't have a whole lot of money but have all the time in the world and access to lathes and mills etc. Thanks guys.


Modified by rolloman at 7:59 AM 12/14/2011

[the_crab]

I don't think you would have any luck taking a reel seat off one rod and installing it on another. The better idea is to strip the guides off a rod you're not too attached to and upgrade it with some new light guides. A lot of factory rods, i.e. BPS, have enormous guides. By replacing them with smaller guides you completely change the dynamics of the blank. My first rod building project was to take a $30 BPS rod and split the grip, and replace the guides. It made a world of difference. It used to be very tip heavy and after refurbishing it balances perfectly.

[thedude]

about the only reusable parts would be the guides, it's virtually impossible to successfully remove reel seats and cork or eva grips once installed without destroying them.

A decent set of alconites will run you about 25 bucks. You could build an entire rod with single foot size 6 hardloy guides for even cheaper. you'd be better off just buying new parts along with the blank and building as new. The vast majority of performance is gauged in the blank, so taking the guides from a rod you like will not likely have much of an impact if any on a new build with a different blank. Plus if its a factory rod, you can definitely make improvements on guide sizing and spacing to reduce overall weight.

To answer your question, its not terribly hard to strip the guides and yes you can reuse them, just don't expect that the placement is exactly the same on a different blank.

[berger1b]

I just started building rods last year so I am not as experienced as some of the rod builders on this site. So here goes what I have learned so far. The cork handle is not reusable unless it was not glued well to begin with. The cork is too soft to try and remove it without ripping it apart. The reel seat can be heated with a hair dryer and removed but can be a challenge. It has most likely been glued on with epoxy. The guides need to be checked for worn spots. You can you a q-tip to rub around the inside of the guide to see if there are any spots that will snag the cotton swab. If so, then they need to be replaced. Based on what type of guides they are, you can purchase new ones a fairly inexpensive price. Since most guides on factory rods are not the best, this would give you the opportunity to upgrade and still not spend much. Mudhole.com has some great videos on line on how to do some of this. Good luck.

[PA Officer]

It can be done, by destroying the blank and removing the epoxied portion inside the reel seat. But it's messy, itchy and not worth the time. I can build three rod in the amount of time it takes to do that and not screw anything up.

It did several times in order to re-purpose MegaBass handles (slant bridge) and will never do it again.

[rolloman]

So re-using the guides is no good in my case because their not micro guides.
The reel seat maybe with a lot of work but not worth it. So that changes everything to doing a hop-up to the rods that I have possibly by changing out the large guides with a new set of micro-guides and splitting the handle. What I am working with is a several BPS Extreme rods. What do you all think about doing this. I never thought about the guides affecting the dynamics of the blank and could lighten things up too.

[sarmst100]

I've totally stripped and rebuilt a few BPS rods and they feel totally different after. A lot less tip heavy with micros.

[rolloman]

Yeah these rods have always felt tip heavy to me. I found where I can buy the Alconite guide sets.

[tsuprum]

I've tried striping the reel seat and cork. It was from a broken rod. I even cut the rod in pieces and couldn't get the blank out of the handle or reel seat.

The only pieces I've been able to reuse have been, guides, hooks holders and butt cap. Some rods have a differant piece of cork for the butt cap. I have cut those off to reuse them.

[rolloman]

Yeah, that's why if I do anything it will only be to.

1) Replace guides with a set of microguides to change the rod dynamics, lighten the rod, and try to reduce tip heaviness.

2) Remove some cork to make split handle.

[thedude]

both of those projects would be great to get started out.

[rolloman]

Thanks, I feel like it would give me some good experience with some possible good results, before spending anything on a blank or new handle.

[bhinson1]

Go to you tube and search rod building.
Lots of good videos to help you.

[the_crab]

I wouldn't use micros on my first try. Go with size 6's. Fuji Alconites in size 6 are still way smaller and way lighter than what is on the BPS rod now. Do this with an Extreme and it will become your favorite rod.

[rolloman]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by the_crab &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I wouldn't use micros on my first try. Go with size 6's. Fuji Alconites in size 6 are still way smaller and way lighter than what is on the BPS rod now. Do this with an Extreme and it will become your favorite rod.</td></tr></table>

I'll take that into consideration for sure. thanks

[bob o]

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=601269

i did this one, still a great rod

[rolloman]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bob o &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=601269

i did this one, still a great rod </td></tr></table>