Plugging Fiberglass Blanks

Plugging Fiberglass Blanks

Whether you decide that plugging a glass blank is right for you and you think that it doesn't matter, or that you've heard all sorts of things about fiberglass wall thickness integrity or moisture prevention. Me, I think it does all of those things plus it gives my rods a finished look. It's one of those details that I make sure we do on our custom builds.

Plugging a graphite blank is no big deal as the blank is not as transparent as fiberglass. We typically will use a dense rubber plug on our Sage builds but the rubber plugs show through glass blanks and just plain looks hideous. We had to come up with a solution that works and looks good.

We use epoxy adhesive to plug our glass builds. Here are the simple steps for making a very clear and transparent ferrule plug:

1. Make sure the ferrule is square and not cracked or jagged. Use a Q-tip with lacquer thinner to clean the inside of the ferrule. Blanks will typically have a waxy residue from the mandrel during the manufacturing process.

Glass blank ready for plugging

 2. Mix your epoxy adhesive and place into the ferrule, put about enough glue to fill        approximately 3/8" to 1/2". This really depends on the diameter and your particular likes.

Inverted ferrule on plastic while drying

3. Stand the glue filled ferrule upside down to let the epoxy level inside the ferrule. Place on a piece of plastic as not to glue the ferrule to your workbench. 

Cured epoxy waiting for sanding

 4. Let the epoxy cure completely before sanding and trimming. If you use 5-Minute glues, wait at least 60 minutes before working on the ferrule. Obviously, if you use slow set glue wait at least 8-12 hours. You want the glue to be hard, so don't rush it.

Sanding the ferrule

 5. Using an abrasive sanding disc or just a piece of sandpaper on your workbench, sand the end of the ferrule and don't forge to bevel the edge slightly. We don't want any glue to prohibit the proper fitting of the blank sections.

Voila! The clean transparent glass ferrule plug

We've been very pleased with this process and it's very simple to do with a little bit of preparation and patience. I like that it gives the ferrule a professional finished look.

Luggage for Traveling Fishermen

Luggage for Traveling Fishermen

Custom Fly Rod Crafters is now offering travel luggage for fishermen;
including the Temple Fork Outfitters Signature Series Luggage to bring
a great line of fishing luggage, designed by anglers, for anglers. These
functional gear bags from TFO feature innovative designs for the traveling
angler. The TFO luggage is manufactured with the highest quality material,
including 1000D rip-stop material, lockable oversize zippers, internal rod tubes,
visual ID storage and much more.

Large Rolling Cargo Bag

Rolling Carry On Bag

Rod/Reel Travel Case

We also offer the Sage Aluminum Multi-Rod Carrying Cases and the Sage Ballistic Cases.

Stacked Bamboo Reel Seat Inserts

Stacked Bamboo Reel Seat Inserts

CFRC now has received material to turn stacked bamboo inserts for reel seats. The bamboo is cut, glued and then turned to specific sizes for different reel seat hardware. Right now we have been turning specifically for the Lemke seats but we will begin to turn for other skeleton hardware as well.  As the bamboo is made of pieces and not a whole burl as the custom inserts are made, we can keep the cost moderate; $9.95

 We make two inserts as of this post, for the Lemke LC1 and the LC14.

These inserts will send your custom build over the top! If you have a specific reel seat skeleton that you would like us to make a stacked bamboo insert, drop us a line or give us a call.

Epic Bandit Blanks!

Epic Bandit Blanks!

Custom Fly Rod Crafters has just received an Epic fiberglass blank order which include the Bandit Blanks. We are working our way down our notification list and have just a couple of blanks left.

If you're thinking about one of the new Bandit blanks, don't think too long or hard. They are just plain awesome! 

These rods will pull an old Chevy out of the river!

Repairing A Cracked Cork Grip

Repairing A Cracked Cork Grip

Sometimes whether it's your fault or simply a minor defect in the cork itself, you end up with a crack in your grip. If the grip is not properly reamed to fit the blank, the pressure from forcing the cork down onto the blank may crack the cork. Most of time this crack follows a natural defect in the cork. Here is a simple fix for a grip that is cracked but not entirely broken.

As you can see this is a crack along the front of this full wells grip.

Step One: Using some kind of arbor (we use a tapered ring sizer); spread the crack just enough to get some epoxy adhesive inside the crack.

Step Two: Force some epoxy into the crack by using a thread pick or bodkin or something similar.

Step Three: Squeeze the excess glue from the crack and clean with a clean wipe. We use denatured alcohol to clean any type of epoxy adhesive before it sets.

Step Four: Using tape to keep the crack closed, place aside until the epoxy has cured completely. Even if you use 5-minute, let it set for at least 1 hour. Obviously, slow set will take 8 to 12 hours.

Step Five: Check to make sure your crack is closed and the glue is completely cured.

Step Six: Sand the repaired area and there you go; a repaired cork grip. You just saved yourself at least $20!

Follow these same steps if your grip has a broken or cracked hood where the reel seat fits into the cork grip. If your grip is broken, then it most likely a ring needs to be replaced or the entire grip needs to be replaced.

Custom Fly Rod Crafters WYSIWYG Inserts

Happy New Year!

Introducing Custom Fly Rod Crafters' new exotic 'WYSIWYG' reel seat inserts.

Our 'WYSIWYG' Inserts (What You See Is What You Get) are the exact piece of exotic wood that you will receive.

We have provided a 360 degree view for each piece by taking 6 individual photos and creating an small animation.

Here is an example of our exotic Spalted Maple wood insert for Lemke LC16 Slide Band Reel Seat

This insert fits the Lemke Concepts LC16 slide band reel seat.

No more guessing on what the 'backside' of the cool insert looks like and nor more surprises when you receive your fabulous exotic insert that you saw on someone's website and it turns out to be something less than fabulous.

New Sunset Red Fiberglass Blanks

New from Custom Fly Rod Crafters
Sunset Red Fiberglass Blanks

Introducing a very affordable fiberglass blank from Custom Fly Rod Crafters!

$59.95

• Gorgeous sunset red blank color
• Available in 6'7" 3wt or 7'8" 4wt models
• 4pc design; yet light and smooth with just enough power!
• Includes a  Free rod sock with each Sunset Red blank

Has 'Add a Rod Tube' option. A 2"D brushed aluminum rod tube for Only $19.99!

We have put together the blanks with a component kit.
Check them out; Fiberglass Rod Kits: 6'7" 3wt  OR 7'8" 4wt