Allcocks Lough Spinning rod

[TrentFisher]

I will have this rod needing some attention.(once it arrives)
It will be used as a pike rod once it has been under the knife.
The handle is made up of the usual cork and screw winch type reel fitting

Here's my proposal.....

My aim is to remove some of the cork on the upper part of the handle above said reel fitting.Move the fitting up the handle and then replace the missing cork following that part of the surgery.All in the attempt to create a more practical reel position.

......So do any of you experience rod makers/restorers know if the reel fitting will be glued only and easily loosend by applying a simple heat source or will I experience bad language to play its part ?

The other option is of course to embrace the original rod as it is...

I look forward to your replies and parting of wisdom.
All the best Nige

[Wallys-Cast]

Hi Nige, it looks a nice rod which should be up to handling decent sized Pike, Carp etc.

The removal of the fitting.
There will more than likely be a beechwood tube underneath the reel fitting. This will be glued to the cane and the fitting will be pinned and glued to this tube.
The pins generally go through the fixed cap on the reel fitting.
If the fitting is the plastic type it will be almost certainly be destroyed using heat so it is probably best to cut through it in a spiral fasion until you can open it up and remove it. (Also worth noting, these Allcocks plastic fittings shrink over time and the threaded metal ring is no longer a good fit on the thread of the plastic fitting). The tube will come off easily if you split it and pare it away with a sharp chisel.
Once the fitting and tube are removed you can rebuild the area with new cork. Now file and sand down the whole cork grip to a suitable size to accept either a lockslide screw fitting or a pair of reel bands.
Sounds more complicated than it really is.

Wal.

[Olly]

Asking Wal really - if you removed the corks below the fitting - fewer in number - could you still remove the screw winch fitting - perhaps more easily? Replacing with reel bands on the uppermost untouched cork section?

I ask because I have a couple of spinning rods that are similar.

[Mr B]

Interesting..
I have a Dawsons Of Bromley Burly but really dislike screw fittings.. ( unless on my catch and cook sea rods then it doesn't mater)
I was thinking of attacking it and try to get them nasty fitting off, and finishing it with cork..
Its a nice rod for loch Lomond Pike! ( on my bucket list, camped on the bony banks but didn't fish for Pike... 50 years ago)
He's 9ft and all man.
Mr B

[TrentFisher]

Hi Nige, it looks a nice rod which should be up to handling decent sized Pike, Carp etc.

The removal of the fitting.
There will more than likely be a beechwood tube underneath the reel fitting. This will be glued to the cane and the fitting will be pinned and glued to this tube.
The pins generally go through the fixed cap on the reel fitting.
If the fitting is the plastic type it will be almost certainly be destroyed using heat so it is probably best to cut through it in a spiral fasion until you can open it up and remove it. (Also worth noting, these Allcocks plastic fittings shrink over time and the threaded metal ring is no longer a good fit on the thread of the plastic fitting). The tube will come off easily if you split it and pare it away with a sharp chisel.
Once the fitting and tube are removed you can rebuild the area with new cork. Now file and sand down the whole cork grip to a suitable size to accept either a lockslide screw fitting or a pair of reel bands.
Sounds more complicated than it really is.

Wal.

Many thanks Wal. It won't be a rush job for sure ,as I won't have time to complete it for the current season but certainly it will be in place for next October.....we all need a project or two in the clos season. I will try my best to maintain a good Stannard of finish as there are many wonderful examples on this forum!
All the best Nige.

[Wallys-Cast]

Asking Wal really - if you removed the corks below the fitting - fewer in number - could you still remove the screw winch fitting - perhaps more easily? Replacing with reel bands on the uppermost untouched cork section?

I ask because I have a couple of spinning rods that are similar.

Yes Olly, that's probably the best way to remove the fitting and the easiest way to fit the new cork rings too. I think I was probably looking at the cheapest way to do it, saving on cork rings. It's the Scots blood in me, cant help it mate. Haha.

[Olly]

It saves rewhipping the butt section!