Handle Shaping on Rod?

[hutjensmpg]

Last year after the season closed I got a used custom z-axis for a song, but never got the chance to fish it until this season. Casts like a dream, but after several all day outings I'm realizing the grip is a too fat for my hand and tires it out by the end of the day.

It's not that far off of some grips that I fish all day with no problems, so I was thinking I could modify it myself. I checked out the rod building section in here, but that's for shaping off the rod. Anybody got a good method for shaping the handle once it's already on the rod? I'd prefer too not invest a lot of money in tools, but don't mind investing quite a bit of manual work time. Any help is much appreciated!

[Eric-WD]

with sand paper and patience you can slowly sand it down rotating it as you go to avoid flats. If it was mine I would rig a lathe like tool out of a variable speed drill and then sand it down, go slowly measure often. use a rod you like as a guide for size. (a clean crescent wrench works as a measuring tool when you are trying to get a certain size)

Eric

[kengore]

It can certainly by done by hand with a sanding block or strip of sanding abrasive, but you might be able to get some ideas from the following link....

http://www.thomaspenrose.com/cork.htm

On another web site some one set up a jig like the one above, but used a simple cardboard box with carefully placed holes for the 'bearings'. Cork is real soft and cuts well with sand paper, so it doesn't take a great deal of power to turn it down.

I would recommend using several layers of masking tape over any area that might get damaged in the process, like the winding check or areas in contact with 'bearings'.

[TampaJim]

I would recommend contacting a competent local rod builder.

Find one that has a rod lathe and it will make the work extremely quick and flawless. The grips will be nice and even when finished, unlike doing it by hand ... in most cases. I doubt they will charge you much at all, it isn't that much work.

TJ -

[chris from canada]

It is definately much harder by hand!

You must take the type of cork into consideration; if the cork is porous you will have quite a bit of difficulty. But if the cork is of a higher quality ; denser, things will go much better for you.

But the best would be to turn it!

Good luck,
chris

[Jack Hise]

I'm in the process of building a grip turning jig using a variable speed drill. I have a couple of cork grips that are too large and want to turn them down. If it works I'll post some photos.

[Gemrod]

You can go to Grizzly.com and take a look at the setup for turning with a drill. You could get the stand and their drill for perfect fit for around a hundred dollars, or the stand alone for half that. However, the point to point is 24" I think. For making grips this is enough. for turning your grip already on the rod it may not work for you.
Gemrod

[hutjensmpg]

All, thanks for the tips and links. Once again good info on the board!

Jack - let me know how it goes.

Thanks again.

[Uncle Barry]

Good evening.
For a one off, reshape and to save all the dollars in drills and presses etc.

Try your local hardware store.
Then find or ask for ..belt sander... belts.
They came in a number of grades.

Buy 2, a course and a smooth grade.
Cut the belts so that you now have a long strap like section of, whatever grade ?
Then wrap it around the cork
and DON'T NOT apply much pressure, just a soft back and forward.

Then the smooth belt the same.

Arr too easy, when you know how.

Kind regards,
UB