Rod repairs

[al44]

Can anyone recommend a glue to mix with cork dust to use as a filler for rod handles?

I have tried using wood glue but this sets very hard against the rest of the cork and gives a very uneven feel. In addition it is difficult to sand down as the soft surrounding cork erodes first.

[dangler]

Strictly as an amateur I have always used araldite and made a very stiff paste with a high proportion of cork dust. I try to then do any shaping before the glue goes off and clean up as much as possible with water during this process.
I should also stress that I only attempt to fill very minor holes in this way. For anything significant I prefer to cut out the damaged cork and fit a new cork ring cut to length and cut through the radius so it can be "sprung" over the blank and glued in again with araldite.
I hope this is of help, but I agree entirely, its hard to sand down the glue when the surrounding cork is so much softer.

Mike

[al44]

Thanks for the tip.

[rpsalmon]

I've used Aquasure wader repair for one repair. A small amount was put into a small dish and warmed over hot water in order to thin. After mixing cork particles is was compressed into place, later (sort of) sanded to shape.

I'd still recommend Wood Glue. When you come to sand it to shape, sand down the lump using a block until you have leveled it off, when you start to clean the surface of the surrounding cork you have finished. To minimise the hard feeling, you could glue a large piece of cork into the hole to fill the majority of the gap, only using the dust/glue mixture for the surrounding part.

[Fruin]

Personally, I do not like filling holes in handles, unless they are very large through damage to the handle. I find that the filler will not age the same as the cork and will, ultimately, look worse than a hole over time.
If I was to fill a hole I would use a wood glue, with a slightly darker cork dust, maybe some cork mixed with rubberised cork. This will stop the filled part from looking out of place as the handle ages.
Another thing that I have not tried, but was told that it works, is to fill the holes with a slightly thinned wood glue or paste, and then turn/sand the handle. The cork dust should force into the crevices and mix with the glue.
Mick Bell at Bloke Rods has his very own recipe for filling holes on custom rods. You could ask him nicely and he may let you know his secret.