The cork on my rod handle cracked "around" the handle (not the long way).  I can still fish with it but I would like to fix it.  What will it take and what kind of glue should I use???

You can take some ground up cork or cork dust and mix it with some epoxy.  Fill in the crack, let dry and then sand.  Good as new.

Well now that sounds nifty.  I will do that, and thanks for the tip.

HMmmmmmmmmm! I don't have any cork around so I guess I will have to buy a bottle of good wine just for the cork.  Not being a wasteful man, I will have to consume it so it doesn't go bad.

This idea keeps getting better.  Thanks again.  

silvercliff, I like your style.

If I read you original description correctly, it almost sounds like one the cork rings has separated from it's neighbor. If that's the case, you may be able to inset a thin spatula between the rings, and work some thinned woodworkers glue in the joint. That will probably leave you with some minor damage which could be repaired with the cork dust glue mix.

You may have to go through several bottles of wine to find a real cork. Many vintner's are using something else now. I don't know what it is, but it's not cork. Sounds like some fun, in any event.

Cheers,

GK

Actually it started to crack at the union, but cracked the cork ring in a spiral around the handle.  HMmmmmm! :-/ I know what I mean, but I don't know if you will know with my word scramble.

Actually it started to crack at the union, but cracked the cork ring in a spiral around the handle. HMmmmmm! :-/ I know what I mean, but I don't know if you will know with my word scramble.

Well, you have me stumped, but I'm not the expert here. If you get an answer from Reel Mechanic, Alpster, or flechero, you can take that to the bank. These are the guys around here that do a lot of rodbuilding, and would have the experience to know what to do in your case.

It almost sounds like you've damaged the blank under the cork grip. If I'm reading your description correctly, that is. I may have to go pop open a bottle of wine, and think about it. ;D ;D

Cheers,

GK

silvercliff_46,

  If I have this right in my minds eye. The glue ring between to cork rings started to crack and the cork ring finished cracking in the center of it's neighboring ring. I would replace the rings....

 Well, ok this isn't going to as easy as making up some cork paste and forcing it into the crack.  You will need to replace the rings, you will need to carefully remove the 2 broken rings down to the blank then clean up the old epoxy and make the space ready for new rings. No you need to get a hold of 2 new cork rings. Ream the 1/4" hold to fit the blank size, then cut the rings into half circles. Now your going to need a good epoxy (water proof) to glue the rings into place. Once the epoxy has set then using a 40gt your taking the new rings OD down to the OD of the original rings, and then using a 100 gt fine sand for smoothness.

 The best way to keep your cork grips from cracking and falling into disrepair is to clean and seal them..

 Now this is my way of repairing the grip, Alpster, or flechero may have their own way..

Good Luck and Tight Lines!!!

HMMMmmmmmm!

Maybe I'll get the universal repair kit out and duck-it.

The cracking of the grip is a result of being wet and being dried out over and over.

Again this is a perfect reason for cork sealing the grips on any rod no matter how old.

I am sorry for being the messenger of bad news, but if your going to repair the rod that would be the best way.

There is one other way.

Inject epoxy into the crack, then cover the rod grip with a Rod Wrap..

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

Aw! I'm just injecting a little humor, before injecting the epoxy.

Thanks for the advise.