I have a bunch of old tap handles and just for a side project would like to make a few fishing rods with them. If anyone has done this where can I get the reel seat that screws into the tap handle and how do you attach the section of rod to the threaded part of the tap handle? These will be for decoration only on my trophy wall so they don't need to be perfect.

Nope, that is alcohol abuse right there...

Mudhole, Jan’s, and a bunch of places will have reel seats. The easiest way to attach the rod is to build up the rod blank with masking tape until it’s a snug fit and epoxy it.  For this purpose you can use 30 minute two part. 

I'll check it out, thanks.

There are two issues, 1.  attaching the tap handle to the blank.  2.  attaching the reel to the tap handle.

1.  I think, without seeing the tap handle, that the challenge is to bore a hole through the tap handle.  Which I think takes a lathe.  If you don't have one, maybe you can find a craftsman around you that can do it.  

2.  If you use white silk thread and wrap the feet of the reel to the tap handle, and don't use any color preservative, the thread will go almost transparent.  Use wrap epoxy over the thread.  Or experiment with a polyurethane glossy finish over a dowel wrapped with white silk to see how it looks.

 

Whatever you do, experiment on disposable stuff before committing your collectibles.  Any other ideas, builders?

That pic looks like a plate reel seat screwed on to the tap handle.

7 hours ago, S Hovanec said:

That pic looks like a plate reel seat screwed on to the tap handle.

I agree.

 

Just thought that for display only the reel could  be attached to the tap handle with structural epoxy adhesive.  The plate seat will certainly be very stable.

29 minutes ago, MickD said:

I agree.

 

Just thought that for display only the reel could  be attached to the tap handle with structural epoxy adhesive.  The plate seat will certainly be very stable.

 

 

I missed the part where he said for display only.  I really need to pay closer attention!