Repairing Reel Seats?

[Jaybr]

I've got a couple boat rods with loose reel seats and rather than take them somewhere for repair I'd like to learn to fix them myself. I'd actually like to replace the plastic seats with aluminum. Can anyone give me some tips as to where to start? Or a good book on rod building and repair?

A couple of the ones that need repair are cheap rods so I don't mind practicing on them. I've got a catalog from Mudhole so I can order the new seats and grips once I figure out what I need.

[Rodman]

Start from the bottom end and work up. Take off the gimbal, rear grip, and reel seat. Use a torch and utility knife to remove the old parts. Once everything is removed and the blank is exposed and cleaned. Measure the Blank diameter and buy your parts. Then use 2 part water proof expoxy and glue everything back on. Use tape rings under the reel seat to bring the blank to the right diameter. leave a gap between each ring of tape for extra glue. That should do it. However, unless you are experienced...you will like spend twice as much money and time as it would take someone that is a pro at doing it.

[Seahunter]

Don't mess around trying to disassemble the butt of the rod. Cut the the butt off right behind the reel seat. Dip the reel seat in boiling water for a minute or two and it will twist right off the blank. Modify the reel seat shims to suit a Tuff Butt assembly or similar product and glue it up. Rod Bond is my epoxy of choice.