Thought I would post this…don’t know anything about the builder but found this site while searching for info on covering some bad cork on a serious budget/scrounge build.
Now, just need to find some Rattan locally.
Odd you should post that as I was looking for the same and found this last night.
both are good instructions
http://www.rodbuildingtutorials.com/Grip%20&%20Handle%20Tutorials/Rattan%20Grip%20Tutorial.pdf
I gotta find some rattan now! I just got an old Japanese bamboo rod that needs some TLC and this will fix the handle up very nicely! Now to figure out how to get the reel seat off so I can replace that.
Rattan grips are pretty cool, I have one on one of my cane rods.
Kevin the easiest way to get the reel seat off is to put a plastic bag such as a zip lock baggie over the butt end of the rod and then stick the end in a pot of boiling water on the stove. Just hold it in the water for about 45sec-1min at a time and the heat will break lose the epoxy holding the seat on after a few times of doing it. Depending on what type of glue and how old the glue is it might take a couple times in the water to get it free. Just make sure you don’t twist the seat to break it free, pull straight down on it so you don’t crack the blank.
Steve
It is interesting that he mentions the possibility of using a foam core. Tom Kirkman was pushing the idea of a foam core grip with a carbon fiber skin. What glue would be good for bonding rattan to foam?
I love the look of it. I know oyster Bamboo has a picture of one of there rods with a nice rattan grip. I never thought about the sensitivty thing, but I can’t see it being that big of an improvement when you are wrapping cork.
The only thing that has me warry of a Rattan wrap is that it looks like it’s only glue that is holding the Rattan to the handle. so true durability over time would be a small concern of mine.
Thanks for sharing guys!! It was a great read!
“The only thing that has me warry of a Rattan wrap is that it looks like it’s only glue that is holding the Rattan to the handle. so true durability over time would be a small concern of mine.”
The only thing holding the handle on the rod is glue…what is the point?
I have made 4 rattan grips. I sealed mine with Helmsman’s spar after gluing them to the cork. Two of them are 3 yrs old and no problems so far.
Brad
The author has given permission for us to have the article/instructions in our Rod Building section too. Turns out he is a long-time reader of FAOL. Thanks Lance.
There are lots of things in everyday life that are only held on by a bit of glue.
Things like the soles of your wading boots, the bamboo strips in your cane rod, laminated foam bodies on dremel bugs. Aren’t traditional cork handles and reel seats attached with nothing other than a little cement?
If you use the right adhesive there shouldn’t be a problem.
At first I thought the same thing, but it looked to me that only the ends were glued, however after re-reading this link http://www.rodbuildingtutorials.com/…20Tutorial.pdf he applies glue to the entire length of rattan. I dont see this handle going any where. The only problem I could see is if the rattan get damaged, re-wrapping may be a challage.
I went over to see David Plym at Tole House here in Denver to pick up some cane to try this with. Once I told him what I wanted it for, we talked for quite a while about different things that could be done with the cane. Weaving, decorative knots, braiding, dying, etc. He showed me several different types of rattan and we swapped ideas back and forth as to what a person could do with each one as far as a grip went. I decided to stick pretty much with these tutorials for a start and settled on some #4 Binder Cane. #4 is about 4mm wide. Dave was kind enough to give me enough to do a couple of grips. I was all ready to buy a hank (500 ft) but he said to take this and try it to get a feel for the cane.
Anyway, I was concerned about the super glue holding the wet cane to the grip. As it turns out, that is not a problem at all. The Super Glue Gel graabbed and held nice and tight. When I got to the tip, the Super Glue grabbed fast and I was able to finish it off nicely. Between the ends, the cork was smeared with Elmer’s Carpenter’s Glue. Once this thing dries, and the polyurethane finish is applied and dry, there is no way it is coming apart.
This is a cigar shaped grip and at the butt end, the 4 mm cane was a bit contrary to work with. I probably should have gone with a #3, maybe even a #2 for the sharper curves. The goal was to have the cork 100% hidden.
Now to let it dry and see what we have after wrapping the thread in and applying the finish.
Kb,
I for one, will be interested in seeing your outcome.
Hope all goes to plan.
Jeremy.
I like the looks of these rattan grips. Think I’ll try one on one of my wood-strip rods.
I do have a question, though. What is the purpose of the thread wrap after the rattan is glued to the grip?
Thanks.
Mostly decorative, but they also fill some of the micro-gaps that occur between wraps. Things really “pop” with the thread the same color as your guide wraps.
I have the rod wrapped and the first coat of Flex-Coat on it. I will be posting pics of it within the next day or two.
OK … I do know better than to ask, but I’m going to ask any how. What kind of store do you find rattan in? I’ve tried Michaels and Hobby Lobby, and it’s a no go. 
Betty, you can find rattan at wood working supply stores that sell it for furniture restoration. Sometimes they refer to is as ‘unwoven cane’, ‘chair cane’ or ‘wicker cane’. Here are some links to mail order sources…
http://woodworker.com/common-unwoven-cane-mssu-860-274.asp?search=cane&searchmode=2
http://www.rattansupplies.com/chaircane.htm
It is also used in basket weaving…
http://jb-designs.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=29
Note: the binding cane is used to hold pre-woven sheets in place and is too thick for rod handles, use the chair cane.
I was afraid someone would answer! I’m in real trouble now!!:rolleyes:
Have a WoodWorker store not too far from me. Guess where I’ll be this afternoon!!
A rattan store. :lol:
Furniture repair and restoration places are your best bet.
Do a Google search for “chair cane” and quite a few places come up. There was a furniture repair and upholstery place near me that came up and I went to them. They sold the cane on the website, but actually got it from the guy I mentioned above and actually sent me over to him. His is a little hole in the wall type shop. but he was very helpful and interested. He said he used to wrap his fishing pole handles in cane as a kid.
A LARGE supply is not very expensive at all.
You can order here.
http://www.furniturerestorationtoolsandsupplies.com/hand-caning/ Scroll down. there is a bunch of standard stuff at the top of the pages that makes you think you keep winding up the same place, but you really are moving from page to page.
This comes from David’s shop as he is not online. A thousand foot hank is enough to do a lot of experimenting with weaving, decorative knots, or about 50-60 handles wrapped plain if you use the 1.5-2.0 mm cane. Wider cane will yield more handles but is harder to lay in smoothly and do the fancy work with. I tried to do a turk’s head knot with the 4 mm cane and could not get it small enough for the handle.
He and I also discussed using raffia, which you can get at Hobby Lobby. Flatten it with a rolling pin or something like an old washer wringer, wrap it, weave it, whatever, and coat with Flex-Coat for durability. Raffia comes in many colors, too.
So how much (linear feet) do you need for an average rod handle?
There’s a Rockler store in my area that sells it, http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=815&filter=cane
that sells it but looks like it comes in 1000 foot bundles.
Next question, do you need to soak it before working it?
The rattan grip tutorial suggests 12 and a half feet of materials for the average grip. Yes, you do need to soak it first.
See? Got that part down already!!
Next though … oh. my. The woodworkers shop is NOT someplace where I should be allowed, without a handler. Oh, my, gawd!!! They have … oh, golly, everything!! Needed a bib I was drooling so hard! Have mercy!!! And yes, they had the rattan in 1000 foot bunches for 22 bucks (needed to order that), or as a chair repair, with 112 feet and all kinds of fun other stuff in the package for 17 (had that in stock)!!
Will keep you posted!