Drilling Cork Grips

I am assembling my first fly rod and my question is can I use a standard 3/8" extra long drill bit or should I consider something else?

Greg

Greg
I have done this but you have to be VERY careful. It is a quick way to ruin a grip (ask me how I know).If you decide to do this route, go slow and take small bites. Besides, you want a tapered hole to somewhat match the taper of the blank.
Just my 2 cents,
Brad

Any suggetions?

Yep ... go buy a junk rod at a yard sale or flea market - I mean a real junker, like $1. Strip the guides and sand it like there is no tomorrow. Cut into about three sections around 18" long each. Put epoxy all over 12-13" of the smallest diameter section of each section - leaving yourself a "handle" of about 5-6" on the larger diameter end. Dip into medium grade abrasive grit and let it dry. Instant cork reamers in three sizes and they are tapered just right for what you need. Total cost about $8-9 ... junk rod, a piece of sandpaper, some epoxy and a bag of grit.

BTW, depending on what the junker is ... make sure that one "reamer" is less than .250 on the smallest end, this is the factory diameter of the grip.

A reamer is much safer!

Greg;
To expand a little on Tampa Jim's advice. I skiped the epoxy and abrasive step. A strip of 3m self adhesive non skid for stair treads cut into 1/4" strips. I spiral the strips down the rod section leaving an 1/8" gap to catch the cork dust.
Be careful these reamers will cut very fast (and last forever) so check the fit often.

Jim,
I'm glad I am not the only one using adhesive backed sand paper as a reamer. Not as easy to find as it once was, so, next "rebuild", will be of the non-slip variety.

:D

Thanks everybody! Think I'll hunt down and old rod and get some of the self adhesive tread material.

Thanks
Greg

I had an old ultralight rod w/bent tip. Cost $0.00
I had medium grit samdpaper. Cost $0.00
Picked up a can of 3m adhesive spray. Cost $4.00

Works great!