Hi everyone,

Not strictly rod building but I thought this would probably be the best place to get the right answer. I find the handle on my 8wt rod a bit big and would like to make it smaller.

What's the best way of doing this? Is it possible to do this myself without the need for special equipment? Instinct tells me I could just carefully sand it down and then treat it with a sealer, but I don't want to end up ruining it.

Thanks in advance
Mot

You could do exactly that... I personally hate that sealer stuff.. If the cork is good cork with not too much pitting and is pretty dense your finished handle will look and feel just fine... One thing i will say is to take it easy , I personally wouldnt use a coarse paper as it really roughs up the cork and can also rip chunks out... Use some 240 or even 320 & clean your grip up first, this way you will get an idea of where your taking material off as you can always take it off, but never back on..... Take your time and you will have a good result.... Like i said though, better cork is better cork, some you may open up piths a bit , perhaps you will do well to save your cork dust , mix it with a wood glue, and fill any voids if they are bad before you get to you final required shape or diameter of grip, then, take the filler down and then the grip , progressing through to finer paper around 600grit to finish the job...

easy goes it

ps.. Work around the grip ans you sand, dont stay in one spot as you only start to try to morror that on the other side and so on.. Keep moving around the grip evenly and all will be well

Good advice from FF mot, I have done it a few times, I like to use 1" wide strips of cloth backed emery paper, and always work with the rings of cork not against them.
In other words have the rod held firmly, mask off the blanks and reel seat well, and holding both ends of the strip work away in a circular motion, and keep it all concentric as you go.
Once you have removed the bulk of it, go to a fine grade, and as FF says keep your dust for filler paste.
Take your time.
S.

__________________
"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Thanks for the tips chaps, just what I was after. i'll give it a bash and let you know how I get on.
Cheers
mot

Thoroughly masking tape up the male ferrule of the butt section, mask off the blank and seat, insert male into power drill set to low speed held securely in a vice and tighten carefully to snug, steady the blank shaft with a teatowel and lathe away.