Thread: A re-work project...

I had purchased this rod off FleaBay awhile back - and it was damaged in shipping. The seller made it right. He refunded my purchase price - AND let me keep the rod. Two of the guides were bent, and the hoods on the seat were a bit mashed. The blank is fine, so it became a new project to pass the time - and a reason to get new toys.
I have cut the cork and seat off and prepped the aluminum extension for new grips...let the fun begin.
any tips, hint and general information would be welcomed!

Cutting Grips, on a DIY lathe....So if you see some ole' fart fishing the pier with a beater rod with bright yeller split grips, stop by to say hello.

Also sealed the sanded places on the blank with some Rustoleum Lacquer. They will be covered by the under wraps and I don't know if this was necessary - but felt like a good idea.

The lathe is great. Variable speed?

That sanded area on the blank might have looked great natural, if stripped the whole blank, wrapped guides and flex coated
Did the blank have a manufactorer sticker on it?

Bo - yes variable speed w/ trigger lock. The sanding blocks are 80 and 30 grit coarse. I had planned on having to smoothe with a 120/200 block but it was not necessary.Ironman...I would not even imaging the time it would take to strip and sand an entire blank. I may give it a go sometime in the future..but October is coming soon and I've got to get this rod ready. The markings on the rod are a Silver oval label that has Master Fishing Tackle Co. on it and a small circular label that says engineered design...something.There was also a grafic on the grip that said California, USA. I could find no information about the company or the rod...It is well made - no junk and solid components.

They actually strip fairly quick.....I have grown to like a certain older blank.....I have a few ready to wrap and flex coat.....I dought they get done before a future trip.....I have enough to fish with as it is
This 2nd part time job is taking up a lot of time,hunting season is coming soon.....I have plenty of excuses

Glad to say the "outside" grunt work is done. It is still hot as crap and I will be glad to return to the man cave and some air conditioning! I have stripped 3 rods, an 8'6 Okuma, 7' Penn (ugly stick blank) and this 8'0 beater. I'll set the seats and re-grip tomorrow night - and start wrapping this weekend. It's my first time laying thread - so there may be a few re-do's before I get the hang of it.

I am learning too.....good luck, it will be nice catching fish with something you built yourself

Update on tonight's work:
Building up the seat


Grips and cross cord wrap