Handle assemebly installation

Finding the spine, or spline, of a rod can be quite simple, or quite complicated, depending on the individual rod.  The spine is the stiff side that runs the length of the rod blank.  To find this, there are various tools and techniques that can be used.  One of the simplest ways is to stand the rod at a slight angle on the butt end - the largest part of the rod - on a piece of carpet.  By gently griping the rod in one hand, press on the tip of the rod, take notice of how the rod turns around to one side.  This side is the spine.  Do this a few times to be sure the correct spine is located, marking the spine side in a few places for putting all the components on the rod.  Sometimes a rod may have more than one stiff side, or even none at all.  So doing this search for the spine a few times will help to be sure of the right one.

Once the spine is found and marked, the handle assembly can be fit to the rod.  There are different places that sell reamers for this purpose.  Also a tapered dowel with very course sandpaper glued to it may work.  What needs to be done is the center of the parts needs to be cut away so the handle parts will fit snugly to the rod, but not too tight.  The reamers do not generally work on wood handles, basically these are for EVA foam or cork handles and grips.  This is done for both the handle and the fore grip.

Two part epoxy, mixed and put on the rod will make it easier to slide the handle on the rod, the epoxy will provide some lubrication to position the handle.  Once the handle is on, the reel seat is next.  The reel seat needs to be lined up properly with the spine of the rod.  Also arbors can be placed under the reel seat with the epoxy to hold the reel seat securely in place.  If arbors are not available, masking tape can be used also.  All that has to be done is to take the roll of tape and wind it around the rod in two or three spots so that the reel seat is able to slide on snugly.    Do not put any of these items the whole way through the reel seat, as it will not have the proper adherence to the rod and the reel seat and it will come lose. 

After the arbors or tape is in place, put more epoxy on the areas between the arbors or tape to fill in as much as possible so there is a secure connection between the reel seat and the rod blank.  Center the reel seat on the spine correctly, depending on the type of rod being built whether it be a spinning rod or a casting rod.

Finally, the fore grip is placed above the reel seat and also epoxied in place.  A large clamp should be used to hold the pieces together and in place while the epoxy cures.  Generally the epoxy for this part of the construction should be a 24 hour curing epoxy, and can be allowed a bit more time to cure if desired, but that shouldn't be necessary. 

Once the rod assembly is ready, the next part to decide is whether or not to add a decorative wrap or weave above the fore grip.  Or perhaps just getting to placing the guides on the rod to get out fishing is what the plan is.  Either way, it is time to move on to the next step.