Cork Handle Bore (i.d.) Increase

[Crymdawg]

I'm trying to put a new reel seat and rear cork handle onto a LEW'S Crankbait rod. The bottom of the blank is a piece of very firm hollow woven material (fiberglass?) that is the same diameter. The foregrip is on the rod blank and is not going to be replaced as it is OK. The problem I have is that the handle that I ordered from JANN'S Netcraft has a hole thru the center that is WAY TOO SMALL to fit onto the blank. I really dont want to but the fancy spade drill bits for $15 each to run down the middle and increase the size. I have regular spade bits but not ones with the solid piece in the center like the fancy ones in rod catalogs have on them. I DO HAVE a Medium and LARGE handle reamer but they are too big to fit in the handle hold (bore). I can order a new handle with a larger I.D. bore and cut off the extra length to fit my remaining space. Just wanted to check with those who have done a similar repair for suggestions. Also has any one used "GORILLA GLUE" in rod building/repair. Since it expands as it cures it seems to make sense to me that that would be helpful.

[Mattman]

The problem I have is that the handle that I ordered from JANN'S Netcraft has a hole thru the center that is WAY TOO SMALL to fit onto the blank. I really dont want to but the fancy spade drill bits for $15 each to run down the middle and increase the size. I have regular spade bits but not ones with the solid piece in the center like the fancy ones in rod catalogs have on them. I DO HAVE a Medium and LARGE handle reamer but they are too big to fit in the handle hold (bore). I can order a new handle with a larger I.D. bore and cut off the extra length to fit my remaining space. Just wanted to check with those who have done a similar repair for suggestions.

The Flex Coat pilot tip bits are the very best way to increase your ID. They keep the hole centered without any effort at all.

A good reamer is the 2nd best choice. Just go slow to keep your hole centered.

A rat tail file will also work. Again, keep your eye on your centering.

Also has any one used "GORILLA GLUE" in rod building/repair. Since it expands as it cures it seems to make sense to me that that would be helpful.

I know quite a few guys that use it to glue up rings. But not grips to blanks.

Personally...I hate the stuff. Its messy and it stains. I much prefer a rod building epoxy for that type of work. Rod Bond to be specific.

[ratstar]

I grabbed an old broke down rod, cut the guides off of it, glued some 100grit sandpaper all the way down that blank and use it for reaming out cork, it works great, just go slow like Mattman said.