photo by Loudog99 |
 |
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Bullet Nose |
Wood Grips |
Lead | |
|
Sport
Posts: 77 (01/24/07 08:46:58) |
Does anyone have any experience building a glass rod with a wood grip? I recently received a wood lathe and have been at it almost non-stop. My plan is to build a light glass rod with a one piece red cedar grip/reel seat. I rescued a beautiful 3 foot log last year from going into a friend's fireplace. |
||
 jgestar |
Re: Wood Grips | ||
|
Posts: 4208 (01/24/07 09:05:11) ezOP |
The only example I can think of is Ron Kusse's cane rods, like his Bearverkill Special.
Wood lathes are great for turning conventional cork grips also. Tom  [Edit: Alec added the image to promote drooling!] [Further edit: I handled one of Ron's wood grip rods in the late 80's. Then, he checkered the grip like a gunstock and matched it with a deep brown tone blank. The visual effect was absolutely stunning!] |
||
|
lpirrone |
Re: Wood Grips | ||
|
Master Guide
Posts: 1926 (01/24/07 15:21:26) |
those kusse beverkill rods are magnificent. i think the biggest issue is getting the bore sized correctly. get as close as possible with the wood on a mandrell. then hand ream it.
i think you are going to want to season the wood for quite a while. some woods will warp or crack as they dry out. also, there are methods of impregnating wood with a stabilizing fluid and you might want to learn about that. |
||
|
Glastik |
wood grips | ||
|
Sport
Posts: 79 (01/26/07 10:24:27) |
Here's some photos of a Bernerd Hills (the Heddon bamboo maker) Custom rod. These same grips were used on a high grade Heddon bamboo. The grip is checkered like a gun stock.
 |
||
|
Flytackle |
Re: wood grips | ||
|
Posts: 790 (01/26/07 11:44:28) Board Founder |
Wow is that beautiful! Alec
|
||
|
goldenstair |
Re: wood grips | ||
|
Guide
Posts: 225 (01/26/07 19:35:35) |
Hi Bullet Nose,
If you get things going like you want them to with the lath let me know -I'd like to try making a lami with a wooden grip. -Aaron |
||
|
TXTrout |
Re: wood grips | ||
|
Guide
Posts: 237 (01/26/07 23:21:44) |
I will sound one word of caution with wood grips. They do not give and tend to tire one out gripping them all day. Even though cork is very firm, it gives. This allows ones hand to rest some. The Heddon 60 cane rod was the rod that had the walnut grips. While the Heddon 60 is collectors find, partly due to the fact that Remington Arms made the grips, there are a lot of them (comparatively to total amounts made) in mint condition. This is for two reasons, they where often given as presentation awards, they where also not that comfortable to fish all day. The 60 was exactly the same as a Heddon 50 President, just with walnut. A pristine 50 is much harder to find for they where more comfortable to fish in my thoughts.
I will say that they look great though. Here is one altenative: www.southcreekltd.com/cus..._rods5.cfm www.southcreekltd.com/gal...?work=true Robert.
The trout, the whole trout, and nothing but the trout. So help me Cod. |
||
|
Glastik |
A Bernerd Hills compromise | ||
|
Sport
Posts: 79 (01/27/07 16:58:42) |
Here's a rod with half cork half walnut. Lighter and probably more comfortable to cast.
|
||
|
Flytackle |
Re: A Bernerd Hills compromise | ||
|
Posts: 790 (01/27/07 17:07:30) Board Founder |
Very Handsome! Alec
|
||
|
steck123 |
Re: wood grips | ||
|
Master Guide
Posts: 275 (01/28/07 07:31:13) |
My only experience with a wood grip was on a Fran Better's graphite rod that a friend paid too much money for. I simply didn't like the feel of it at all, and it clicked, meaning that something wasn't secure in the handle, reel seat section of the assembly. As the photos show, some are very beautiful if you like that sort of thing, but I agree with TX statement regarding tiresome.
Rich |
||
|
jgestar |
Re: wood grips | ||
|
Posts: 4208 (01/28/07 14:42:33) ezOP |
Don't discount Andy's "source" of fine wood for rod projects. Old furniture has well seasoned, well chosen wood. The wood is unlikely to check or split. Hit a thrift store or church flea market and buy some "ugly" furniture. For a few bucks, you have the makings of a lot of reel seat spacers or trim rings.
Bring your portable power saw and hack your find into pieces so it will fit in the trunk. The shocked looks will be worth the price you paid. All the raw material will be a bonus. Tom |
||
|
Bullet Nose |
Re: wood grips | ||
|
Sport
Posts: 77 (01/29/07 17:44:20) |
Those are some beautiful rod, now I feel like hiding in a corner! I thought I had the drilling problem solved, but it's just getting there; doing OK with reel seat barrels, not so good with full wood grips. I'm currently fooling with a cork/wood combo grip. |
||
|
TXTrout |
Re: wood grips | ||
|
Guide
Posts: 237 (01/29/07 22:37:01) |
Bullet,
You might also try this, cork grip transition to wood reel seat. Here is one from my friend and mentor, Rick Cunnigham. www.cunninghamflyrods.com/garrison.htm Robert.
The trout, the whole trout, and nothing but the trout. So help me Cod. |
||
|
scud dog |
Re: wood grips | ||
|
Master Guide
Posts: 1594 (01/29/07 22:42:16) |
I recall a site that offered wooden winding checks. That, or a slim wood ring (like on a Scott) would be about all I'd fool with. Wish I could recall who's offering the wooden winding checks... The wooden grips do look nice though. The one shown with wood and cork is a lot nicer than the ones being sold at Mudhole currently.
|
||
