Well thats the question?  ;D

I do have several old rods that I could make reamers out of, it is much cheaper I see doing it this way.

The kit one is like $45 bucks at mudhole

If you recommend making them, give me an idea of sizes? And where do you start at the blank to cut off, do you start at the butt end or above it some what?

I won't say much more cause I know its a bit opened for what ever maybe :-?

Yes I'm still working on my tool list :

Got another question, Mandrel wax, is there a substatute? That stuff is 10 bucks!

I bought 2 of the dream reamers from Custom Tackle  in TN. They were 12  a peice, but as a hobbiest, I will not have to buy any more for at least 5 years. I just bought the 2 smaller ones. The larger of the two will do almost any bass rod.

Parafan wax.

Go buy a single 3" by 36" belt (coarse grit) for a belt sander...  cut a 1/2" wide strip and epoxy it spiraled down an old blank.  You'll get several reamers out of each belt.

You can use any wax.  I used regular turtle car wax and furniture wax in the beginning.  I don't use wax anymore.  

Thanks Flechero, so it should start at the butt end of the rod blank and go say 18" long like they sell for?  

I use these reamers:

http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Reamers-and-Abrasives/Professional-Reamer-w-Handle

Started with the small size and use it 10:1 compared to the other sizes I also have. Really like these reamers. And like flechero said, I replace the paper with belt sander pieces cut in strips - note though - just don't cut it in two - cut on the seam that is glued/taped together. Otherwise, is hard to lay flat when putting on the reamer, I heard about this, never happened to me :-[. I use rubber cement to glue the stips on.

Eddie

I use these reamers:

http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Reamers-and-Abrasives/Professional-Reamer-w-Handle

Started with the small size and use it 10:1 compared to the other sizes I also have. Really like these reamers. And like flechero said, I replace the paper with belt sander pieces cut in strips - note though - just don't cut it in two - cut on the seam that is glued/taped together. Otherwise, is hard to lay flat when putting on the reamer, I heard about this, never happened to me :-[. I use rubber cement to glue the stips on.

Eddie

I read on rodbuilder that Lance from swampland makes those reamers. I've been making my own using the method described by flechero, but I'm itching to either turn grips down and put them on mine, or just buy one of the ones you've listed.  I bet their easy on you hands.

I bet their easy on you hands.

Seriously, they are like butter!!  

Buy a couple closeout eva grips for just this purpose.  for $2 or so each, you can quit tearing up your hands.  

Seriously, they are like butter!!

Buy a couple closeout eva grips for just this purpose. for $2 or so each, you can quit tearing up your hands.

Yes, that is the way to do it.

I bought a "discount" blank to make my own, but, just couldn't bring myself to cut up a perfectly good blank.

When you make one, just leave about 1/2 to 3/4" of the end exposed out of the handle so you can chuck it up in a drill/lathe. That is what I love about these. Chuck them in the drill to get the hole so it is workable, then, take out of the drill and the grip is very easy on the hands to finsh and fit to the blank.  I epoxy dowels in mine to make them very strong and hold in the chuck better.

Just be careful when using in the drill/lathe when working with EVA or hard/dense grip material like rubber cork rings. The reamer can get really hot causing the glue to melt and making a real mess. Once again, hasn't happened to me, I, uh, heard about it happening to another guy...... :-[

Eddie

thanks for the info guys. My hand are just now starting to really callus over, I've ripped them up pretty good over the past couple of months.

what exactly is a reamer used for?

what exactly is a reamer used for?

To fit the cork rings, or the assembled grip, to the blank.  The rings tyipcally have a 1/4" dia hole in them and they have to be reamed to fit on the blank.  Pretty tedious as you want the internal shape that you are reaming to match the taper of the blank.  Its quite a bit of work but does get easier the more you do.

Eddie

ok thats what i figured it was for just by looking at it