Adding Reel Seat to Finished Rod

forefrazier · Nov-05-2009, 02:10 PM

Kind of a dumb question but can a reel seat be added to a rod that has already been finished as a deckhand style? Seems like the seat would need to go over the tip of the blank to fit right and now that the guides are on and wrapped they would all have to be removed...Looking to add an Alps reel seat to a CJBF80.

Thanks, SF

**SALTYDAWG** · Nov-05-2009, 03:01 PM

It can be done, But is a major pain in the ass.

Comedie · Nov-05-2009, 03:39 PM

If you are going to be tearing up the deckhand style grips anyway, why not get a seat large enough to slip over the butt and rebuild it from that end.

forefrazier · Nov-05-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comedie

If you are going to be tearing up the deckhand style grips anyway, why not get a seat large enough to slip over the butt and rebuild it from that end.

You are correct in that I would be tearing up the DH grip but wouldn't a seat large enough to fit over the butt end up being WAY too big once it gets up to where it will eventually be put in place on the rod?

Lou W · Nov-05-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forefrazier

You are correct in that I would be tearing up the DH grip but wouldn't a seat large enough to fit over the butt end up being WAY too big once it gets up to where it will eventually be put in place on the rod?

Maybe yes....maybe no. figure out the OD of the blank where the seat will go.
Next measure the OD of the butt. Determine what size reel seat will fit over the butt. That may be what you use or you may need/want to go down a size in reel seats. If you really need/want the smaller seat you will need to put it on over the tip. You know what that means.

**SALTYDAWG** · Nov-05-2009, 04:23 PM

The reel seat isnt going to be the real big issue, Pushing hypolon over the big end of the butt is a pain in the ass. Unless you are going with cork tape again and just adding the real seat, That wouldnt be too bad. If I'm not mistaken though, The blank you are talking about has a pretty large diameter at the base and may be too big for an Alps seet, You may have to use a big Aftco or the like

BakerStBobby2 · Nov-05-2009, 09:13 PM

We have been installing grips from the bottom of rods for people for years (fore grips, too!). As Bill stated it is a pain in the ass, but very doable. However, the seat that would fit over the butt of a CJBF80 would be too large for the rod on my opinion.
If you want an ALPS seat, they don't make them large enough to fit over the butt of that blank. It would have to be stripped of guides to get a Centra-Lock or Easy-Tight Alps on there.
Bobby~

Ray.S · Nov-05-2009, 09:18 PM

get a plate seat.

EDIT:
oh, i reread your question and saw the alps seat. my bad.

MKUHN138 · Nov-06-2009, 03:02 AM

actually, alps makes a 26mm reel seat that would theoretically fit over the butt of that rod. The problem is, as I have seen, the super seeker blanks aren't always cut to the spec'd length, and more length = thicker diameter, so without actually measuring the butt of your rod it is hard to say. You can most likely make it work with a rasp and a file.

BakerStBobby2 · Nov-06-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKUHN138

actually, alps makes a 26mm reel seat that would theoretically fit over the butt of that rod. The problem is, as I have seen, the super seeker blanks aren't always cut to the spec'd length, and more length = thicker diameter, so without actually measuring the butt of your rod it is hard to say. You can most likely make it work with a rasp and a file.

He did not say it was a super seeker, just a CJBF80 which would be a Black Steel. The butt diameters are very similar, however. I still think you'd have to sand down the blank too much to fit that #26 centra-lock over the butt end of either one. I'm gonna check this out later today when I get to shop just to be sure, though

Comedie · Nov-06-2009, 10:24 AM

Lots of good recs. A whole lot depends upon that butt size really, and sizes vary blank to blank,,, sometimes substantially.
So job #1 is to get the gimbal or cap off and measure what you have to start with.
#2 is to guesstimate the blank diameter where you want the seat to fit, or if you are commited to tearing up the grips anyway, do so and measure.
Depending on 1 and 2, you can then choose your path.

BTW,,, for myself, if the butt ended up being much larger than the chosen mounting spot, I'd perhaps turn down the butt to fit. And then epoxy a fit section of blank into the butt to replace the wall strength. It's a thought.

Another thought would be to cut the blank right where you want the seat to go, put on the seat loose, rejoin the blank pieces using an insert as you would in repairing a broken blank, and then mount the seat in place.

BakerStBobby2 · Nov-06-2009, 09:16 PM

Ok, I checked the butt end of an SS-CJBF80(I'm assuming a CJBF80 is very similar in size) today at the shop and it's too big to get a #26 Alps seat on. Way too fat to sand, as well. Dave's idea of cutting the blank where you want the reel seat is a great idea!!! I would have never thought of that...
Bobby~