Tape, polyurethane, or graphite. Which do you prefer and why?

I use the poly arbors. They're easy to bore and are rather inexpensive. Not a fan of tape, however, it is used a lot and if properly executed, is just as durable as poly. If tape isn't totally encapsulated in epoxy, it will turn to mush and fail.

I prefer cork for an arbor. It is lightweight and will not crush. Fishermen have been using cork since the 40's or longer. They are easy to make by hand too.

I'll use tape if the gap can be filled with 10 or fewer wraps. Other than that either the poly or graphite arbors. Cork works to if you have a way to turn them and boring too thin they will collapse.

I used Polly on the rod I built. Easy to work and cheap. No worry of failure or rot.

Poly for the most part, unless the gap is too small, then tape. Never used graphite, but I have spinning rod build coming up using a woven graphite tube handle. Got some graphite arbors to try with the tube.

Poly for the most part, unless the gap is too small, then tape. Never used graphite, but I have spinning rod build coming up using a woven graphite tube handle. Got some graphite arbors to try with the tube.

Same here on the graphite handle. I'm ordering all of my stuff Monday for my first build.

Poly for the most part, unless the gap is too small, then tape. Never used graphite, but I have spinning rod build coming up using a woven graphite tube handle. Got some graphite arbors to try with the tube.

 

I just sold a rod in the flea mrkt with this kind of grip. I liked it a lot and will do another shortly. The short graphite arbors with the groove worked well. Upon recommendation I placed one for every 2" of grip length, reamed and glued them in place and once set, glued the tube directly to the arbors.

DVT, I take it that was a Tennessee handle? I would understand the every two inch spacing when you don't know exactly where the reel will be placed.

 

I'm going with the smallest Fuji plate seat for this one, and planned on four arbors; one at the butt, and one placed under each seat wrap. What do you think? Handle will be around ten inches.

You'll be fine .ghoti. The one I referred was indeed a TN handle and consciously erred on the overkill side. Even then, the finished rod weighed only 3.3 oz. I've never fooled with a plate seat but was looking at them the other day. Let me know what you think. 

The rod is for my brother. He's been after my Airrus Tradition spinning rod ever since he first saw it. It has a plate seat. on a large diameter blank. TT did a review on them. Look it up sometime. It's an interesting rod.

 

I wanted to build something for him that resembled, and maybe feels, in hand, like the Airrus.

 

Thanks.