Shorten my rod

[drew03cmc]

Hey guys, I'm looking to have a couple rods shortened, both to 5'6". One is a Falcon FC-4-16, the other is an old St. Croix Premier 6' M (already cut 3" off). I'd love to see these cut down and get new 5" rear grips put on with the existing seats. The guides should be fine where they are I'd think. Anyone willing to help me out, I'll buy components and pay for your time and labor. Or if you know someone or have suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!

[fishinwrench]

What's the hourly rate of a custom rod builder these days, about 4.50/hr. ?  🤔 

Do it yourself or buy a new rod. Neither of those 2 blanks are worth all that IMO.

[snagged in outlet 3]

You could whack them off and buy new Winn grips.  Sounds like a two beer job.  

[drew03cmc]

17 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

What's the hourly rate of a custom rod builder these days, about 4.50/hr. ?  🤔 

Do it yourself or buy a new rod. Neither of those 2 blanks are worth all that IMO.

They are if I'm willing to have it done. If I knew the least about doing this, I'd do it myself. I know nothing about removing the old grip, seats and relocating. That's why I asked. Hell, if anyone wanted to walk me through it, I'd gladly listen and do the work, just looking for a good topwater rod and I really like these two blanks for it.

[snagged in outlet 3]

 

[drew03cmc]

4 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

 

On the St. Croix, I have cut 3" and it's not short enough for my tastes. I'd like another 3, and the seat moved forward enough to accomodate a 5" straight grip. 

The Falcon is still stock, but I'd like to do the same to it. 

[Bushbeater]

I'd use a Dremel and cutoff and scrap the handle and reel seat. Go back with new installed from the bottom, using tape or split arbors to make up diameter differences. New parts would be about $25 per rod if you go with good cork handles. It's more than a 2 beer project, more like a 12 pack.

[fishinwrench]

If you want another 3" off the rear handle just carefully whack 3" off with a hacksaw blade.  Then carefully cut off 1/2" of just the cork.... leaving the blank uncut. Sand off the exposed blank and build a cap.  Put the reel on and see how the rig balances, add weight to the cap or shove some lead up into the end of the blank to balance it out the way you like it....Then epoxy the new cap on.  

3 beers max  😊 and 2.50 worth of materials.

Removing the reel seat and all is just nuts, way better to buy a blank and build a new rod from the ground up. Reel seats and handles are fitted from the tip down. Doing it backwards is gay.

[drew03cmc]

58 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

If you want another 3" off the rear handle just carefully whack 3" off with a hacksaw blade.  Then carefully cut off 1/2" of just the cork.... leaving the blank uncut. Sand off the exposed blank and build a cap.  Put the reel on and see how the rig balances, add weight to the cap or shove some lead up into the end of the blank to balance it out the way you like it....Then epoxy the new cap on.  

3 beers max  😊 and 2.50 worth of materials.

Removing the reel seat and all is just nuts, way better to buy a blank and build a new rod from the ground up. Reel seats and handles are fitted from the tip down. Doing it backwards is gay.

3" more off leaves me with 2" of cork on the handle. That's not good for me. Yes, if I must, I will definitely pay to have them redone tip down with quality guides if need be. I really don't mind. These blanks are great for what I'm wanting to do with them. The Falcon has a 7" grip, losing 6" makes it a 1" grip. Again, no bueno. I'd gladly flip someone some coin to knock this out for me. 

[Bushbeater]

I'd like another 3, and the seat moved forward enough to accomodate a 5" straight grip.

Gay or not he wants the reel seat moved.