Changing Butt Caps to Gimbals

[ScottB]

Hi All,

I have a few rods with rubber butt caps that I want to change to gimbals. Are there any tricks to doing this? I assume that to get the caps off it will be a case of gently gently with a stanley knife to cut them off, or is there a better way of doing it?

And once the butt caps are off, measure the sizes required for the gimbals then Araldite them on (maybe pack with masking tape to make them a neater fit if required)? Is Araldite too permanent? Is there anything else recommended??

Anything major I am doing wrong or any traps for young players???

Thanks for any advice!

Scott

[Owen]

You pretty much nailed it Scott.
If you need to use masking tape only use a couple of very narrow strips so that araldite can contact the blank directly

[Micadogs]

Hi Scott, you may also need to trim some of the rear grip. You want the blank running all the way through the gimbal. Once again carefully, carefully.

Tip 1: It may also help to wrap masking tape around the grip where you want to cut to get a straight line.

Tip 2: Start 3-4mm shallower incase you dont get it straight and need to do it again.

Tip 3: On made up rods, you may have trouble getting the gimbal to stay in place due to air pressure. There are a few things you can do a) cut ridges in the packing tape so air escapes b) drill a small hole in the base of the gimbal, this will let air out, the additional expoxy inside will reseal it.

Tip 4: before placing the gimbal on wrap making tape over the grip and have some acetone ready, as any overruns or drips will need to be cleaned up pretty quickly

Tip 5: Dont use 5 minute expoxy, if you make a mistake it is hard to rectify. Normal Areldite is fine and will actaully set stronger


All pretty basic stuff really, but it is the small things that can make a difference. I have made all the above mistakes, so these are more learnings than tips to make it look great.

Regards Adam

[Stuart]

All good advise above. I will add to what Micadogs said about air pressure. You can get around this issue by simply making sure the fit between the gimble and the tape is very tight, that is its hard to put on. The harder it is to put on the harder it will be to come off.

Stu

[finga]

Gees I got worried reading the title of the thread until I saw the author.

Lucky Phill (with 2 l's) said that a rod he has 'borrowed' from me should have a gimble and not a rubber butt.
For a second I thought my rod was going to be 'raped'.

[sid_fishes]

i didnt think you owned that anymore scott
the way lucky phill [with 2 ll,s] put it ,it was his all over champ
can i bring a chair and popcorn i really want to see a catfight
ian

[ScottB]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated

Scott

[ScottB]

Hi All,
Just a quick follow up question, after I have cut the hypalon to suit the length of the gimbal, what is the best way (material/method) to shape a round onto the edge hypalon so it matches the other ends of the grips (rather than have the hard 90 degree corner that is left after cutting)??

Any ideas?? Or don't bother??

Thanks

Scott

[Owen]

The best way is to throw it in the lathe and spin it.
Some sandpaper on a wood block or similar will make short work of it.
If you don't have a lathe, wrap tape around the blank to build it up just a bit smaller than your gimbal diameter.
This will give you something to rest the sanding block on and help keep it round when sanding freehand.

[ScottB]

Thanks for that Owen,

Put 5 gimbals on yesterday and they all came up really well, no doubt thanks to all the advice that was given to me.

Thanks again

Scott