tape on reel seat

[starsandstriper]

hey guys. i have an 8' ben doerr one piece saint croix that i just took the cork tape off of. i am not experienced in rod building, but i would like to move the reel seat up about 2 inches cause i got some goofy long arms. My question is, how hard is it to remove the original fuji reel seat. And i would like to replace it with a tape on reel seat over some fresh cork tape, but is there a more permanent way of adhering this reelsat to the rod? perhaps i could wrap it on like a guide and use some epoxy or something? i plan to have this rod rewrapped soon anyways, but i would like to configure the grips by myself. your help is much appreciated.

[Ralph78]

Removing a reel seat is a delicate procedure, not to mention a PITA!!! Why not add an extension to the butt end?

[starsandstriper]

how hard is it to add an extension? i also wanna change the reel seat cause its screw tight end is on the bottom and has a tendency to wanna come loose.

[Saltheart]

Its easier to add the extension.

 

About the reel seat. People expect the reel seat for a spinner to screw "up" since that is what they see but IMO all reel seats should be down locking.

 

If you do remove the old seat , you can use a plate seat over the cork tape which you can tape on or thread wrap like a guide and apply finish.

[starsandstriper]

ive decided to remove the reel seat all together. i am gonna wrap and expoxy on the reel plate over some cork tape, or 3M grip wrap. im gonna try to dremel off the seat tonight. any tips i should know before trying to do this? i think i will wrap some heat shrink tape over the reel plate ends too after i wrap it to further secure it.

[Saltheart]

Cut length wise down the top and bottom of the seat. Do not nick the blank. then put a screwdriver in the cut groove and turn. the seat should pop right off. sand down the extra epoxy that will be left behind where the seat was,

[zimmy]

Do not nick the blank.

 

Be careful. I cut pretty deep into a blank one time doing this. Luckily the cut was located under the position of the edge of the new reel seat so that I could make sure it was thoroughly filled with epoxy. Can't remember what rod it was, but it hasn't broken yet. Still, when it happens it makes you wanna hurl.

[canyondiver]

IMO all reel seats should be down locking.

 

 

 

You too Salt??

I am a big proponent of downlocking

[starsandstriper]

i just got the reel seat off in 5 minutes with nothing more than a razorblade, heat gun, and a screwdriver. there happened to be a cardboard sleeve under the seat and i cut down along the thin channel of the sleeve with the razor. i warmed the sleeve with a heat gun to be able to better bend it and i was able to pry it off once i had cut down 3/4 of it lengthwise. now all i have to do is clean up the epoxy on the blank and try to find some 3m safety tape. then i can order the reel seat. what is the safest way of removing the epoxy? can i use some really fine sandpaper?

[Surfmaster250]

You could sand it down carefully you just don't want to sand into the blank. 220 maybe 150 grit, go slow!

[starsandstriper]

i will go slow! thank you once again.

[Saltheart]

How many times a night do you have to tighten the nut on an uplocking spinner vs how many times for a downlocking conventional. For me its about 10 to 1.

 

Despite this , people will say you put the seat on backwards if you do a spinner seat downlocking.

[zimmy]

How many times a night do you have to tighten the nut on an uplocking spinner vs how many times for a downlocking conventional. For me its about 10 to 1.

 

Despite this , people will say you put the seat on backwards if you do a spinner seat downlocking.

 

I was taught screw down and you'll never screw up

[Al Goldberg]

I have been mounting my reelseats downlocking for more than thirty years. For more security either place a tight-fitting "O" ring in back of the nut or wrap some electrical tape around the threads.

[canyondiver]

You could sand it down carefully you just don't want to sand into the blank. 220 maybe 150 grit, go slow!

 

I hope you have all day and night

I cheat and shave it off while on the lathe, but you can shave it off carefully with a utility knife. Just keep the bevel of the blade slightly turned uphill and you should never cut the blank.

If you are putting a grip over the seat area, even it it is cork tape, the cleanup needn't be flawless, just smooth and with no big step at the ends of the epoxy.

 

Al, how often have you found you actually needed that "extra security?

 

I am trying to remember if I have ever had to tighten up a seat while fishing a downlocking config.

I think I am having a senior moment