Fixing Cork on Handles

zelmonster · August 31, 2007, 04:02:06 PM

I prefer rods with cork handles, but hate the pits and holes that develop in them after a bit of use. I've found a solution. I have an old broken cork handle rod. I take a Dremel power tool to the broken cork handle and create a mound of cork dust. I then mix the cork dust with quality outdoor wood glue, and fill the pits and holes in the cork handle. After its dry, I sand it down and the cork handle turns out looking and feeling almost like new.

Bassinkorea · August 31, 2007, 09:06:16 PM

My cork handles are getting a bit rough, I'll have to give this tip a try, thanks for tippin'

zelmonster · September 01, 2007, 09:39:50 AM

Oh yeah, one last point... be sure to clean your handle first in order to remove oils from you hands before applying the cork patch paste.

Nickk · September 01, 2007, 11:01:05 AM

can you recommend a glue brand?

zelmonster · September 02, 2007, 08:21:13 AM

Iv'e been using the weatherproof Titebond II Premium Wood Glue with good results, that I pick up at Home Depot

Swede · September 05, 2007, 05:51:29 PM

Great tip - I prefer cork too.

Oneslowz28 · September 08, 2007, 04:35:24 AM

I think Mike told me this tip a while back. I had a few handles with chips and pits missing. I took an old broken rod and made me a "cork powder" with a sander and used some tight bond from lowes and after a little sanding with 180 and then some wet sanding with 600 they looked new.

scatch1 · September 08, 2007, 11:02:55 AM

another great tip from a UB,er.thanks.

1FASTLASER · September 09, 2007, 06:45:44 AM

I do rod repair to help out fellow bassers and also defer the cost of some of those $15 crankbaits that I have gotten so fond of. As far as cleaning the handles before fixing them I use very fine steel wool. It conforms to the rod handle better than sandpaper and is very fast. Any rod that I repair gets a cleaning before I return to the owner. That alone has brought back MANY customers.

lure buddy · September 17, 2007, 03:20:07 PM

To make them look new again use rubbing alcohol. Put some on a rag and whip it down.

tntitans21399 · September 20, 2007, 11:03:53 AM

I've got a handle that needs to be redone but I don't have an extra cork handle. Where is some were you can get one?

zelmonster · September 21, 2007, 08:13:59 AM

If you don't have a cork handle to work with, you can always use the cork top from a bottle of wine.

Fixing Cork on Handles

1FASTLASER