I was reaming out a cork grip for a big butt Lami 5 wt and must have lost some patience and wound up with a gap at the front of the grip - see photo below.

A winding check would be an obvious fix, but I don't have one that fits and would like to avoid shipping costs on a single check, plus I wasn't planning on a check anyway.

With the full wells grip, a thread hosel is out, but I have thought about a narrow epoxy "ramp" that covers the gap, but it would be hard to keep the thread from falling down on something so steep.

I experimented with a double wrap (how do you tell where you are on a 2nd wrap on a double wrap? I had trouble with that), but the gap is still too big.

Finally I thought of doing a single wrap, coating with epoxy and after it dries do another single wrap on top? And doing 2 coats of epoxy over that.

What do you think? Any other suggestions? I should probably just pony up the $5 for shipping and get a winding check....

Thanks for the help!

Having been here, pony up. Lots of attractive checks , and they are inexpensive. Buy one size up and one size down as they can vary in size. I have done the stepped thread with success, but never really liked the look. Epoxy ramp is a one and done and a good way to have a project turn sour. Opinions from an old rod tinkerer.
Cheers and Merry Christmas!

I would use sheet cork as a check. Use a hole punch/leather punch/series of drill bits to get a snug fit. Glue in place and sand to shape. If you want to be fussier, you could do the same with a cork ring shaved/cut/sanded thin. Scrap leather, hole-punched and cut to fit also makes a nice winding check.

Many 50-cent hardware or craft store items, starting with a simple O-ring or hair band elastic make good checks. A small wooden button drilled out and stained/finished as you like works well.

From the picture it really doesnt look like you took out a whole lot of cork. Try a couple of turns of masking tape to flush up and then wrap over that and see if it works.

A couple more options. If you have cork dust from shaping the grip, mix it with epoxy and push it into the gap. It won't be perfect, but it may be enough.

Add a winding check and a full diamond wrap. Or chevrons. Or any flashy butt wrap. The wrap will get all the attention. Diamond wraps and mylar are endangered species anymore.

I liked whrlpool's suggestion of sheet cork. That would give it some of that Scott Rod Co. feel.


Tom

All good advice here. If you decide to go with a check, I'd gladly send you one. Just send PM with blank diameter and address, and I'll get one in the mail.

I've also filled a similar gap with a single layer of #D thread:



I've also packed regular #A windings under checks that are of loose fit. You could use that approach here as well, ending up with very good coverage.

So, there are plenty of options. I rarely put metal winding checks on my rods, and will just add a thread wrap flush against the grip. But everyone who builds rods sooner or later finds themself with an over-reamed grip and a gap at the fore end of the grip. There are lots of solutions as many have already suggested. My favorite way to close the gap is to wrap a layer of thread, and pack it between cork and blank.

Awesome ideas guys, I want you to know how much I appreciate your help. I have been a member of other forums that if I asked a question deemed "stupid", I was ridiculed. Another forum I was a member of seems to be more of a flyfishers facebook, a place for them to post hero shots and communicate with each other, but I was not long time member and was ignored. Everyone here has been so kind and welcoming over the years - thanks.

Anyway, lots of great ideas and I tinkered around with a few. I will remember these. I got offers from a few members to send me a check and I think I will go that route for now. Thank you! I shouldn't have been that cheap about shipping anyway - it is that darn Scandinavian blood. There is a reason the Mrs. calls me "Cheap Man" or because she knew my father well, "Son of Cheap Man."

Good idea Picketpin, I'll do that, thanks!

Thank you, Sir!