Ice rod building

  • Nick Schmitz
    Posts: 65
    #1763756

    Been building ice rods for a little while now but the handle options are limited in my book. Wondering about making my own handles. Where is the best place to get the cork rings for doing so? What grade of cork are you using? What kind of glue or epoxy are you using?

    Red Eye
    Posts: 947
    #1764113

    Start with a lower grade cork. That way you can get some practice before buying higher grade cork. I’ve found ebay is about the cheapest place to buy cork. I use a 2 part pro paste.

    Randy Wieland
    Lebanon. WI
    Posts: 13473
    #1764127

    Use pretty much any of the slow cure epoxies. 5 minute epoxy will get brittle.

    trumar
    Rochester, Mn
    Posts: 5967
    #1764272

    Nick if you have Face Book search out some ice fishing rod building groups ..There are some very good rod builders that have all the info you need..

    If you PM me I can send you some of those groups

    curleytail
    Posts: 674
    #1764376

    I buy my ice rod cork at Janns Netcraft. Fairly inexpensive and best part is they have a 1/8″ bore which is better suited to ice rods than the standard 1/4.

    Quality of cork isn’t great but use some pit filler and they look about as good as most.

    I glue mine up on a small threaded rod wrapped in teflon tape. Use washers and nuts to tighten. Use Titebond III waterproof glue then epoxy handle to the blank with a 30 minute 2 part epoxy.

    Tucker

    Ryan Wilson
    Posts: 333
    #1764813

    You could also always use a 1.25” hole saw and get some birch bark. The bark should be about 1/8” thick. You can either source your own or buy sheets of bark from Mudhole (other places may also carry it). Get a long bolt (12” or so) and some wide washers w/ wing nuts to make a handle clamp. Glue it up, clamp it tight, let it dry then chuck the bolt into a cordless drill and sand-lathe the bark to the final shape. Coat the handle with wax, epoxy, or varnish and you’re done. Mount the handle and go fishing.

    I know you asked about cork specifically but birch handles are rare, unique, and beautiful.

    Jeff Telander
    Posts: 125
    #1764985

    I’ve thought about buying bigger summer rod handles and cutting/ shaping them to suit my needs. Haven’t tried it on an ice rod yet, but it seems like an easy way to get what you want without reaming and clamping rings.

    bigcrappie
    Blaine
    Posts: 4322
    #1842821

    Mud Hole will have all the items you need to make your own handles. Cork rings and Pro paste to glue together. I use a drill with a 1/4″ threaded rod and washer/wing nuts to turn the cork. Start with 50 grit and then 80/100/150/220 seal if you want or fill pits with oak wood putty then sand with 220 again. Check out You Tube for videos on this. Good luck

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    Rodwork
    Farmington, MN
    Posts: 3975
    #1842853

    It sounds like most of the stuff was covered by everyone. I like to add wax to the mandrel to prevent the glue from sticking to it. I turn the handle on my lathe but you can also chuck it up in a drill.

    sheppy
    Posts: 40
    #1842919

    It sounds like most of the stuff was covered by everyone. I like to add wax to the mandrel to prevent the glue from sticking to it. I turn the handle on my lathe but you can also chuck it up in a drill.

    Will you share some pictures of your work?

    Rodwork
    Farmington, MN
    Posts: 3975
    #1842944

    This is some of the stuff I have with me.

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    Rodwork
    Farmington, MN
    Posts: 3975
    #1842948

    I really like the glow-in–the–dark tip wraps.

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    Rodwork
    Farmington, MN
    Posts: 3975
    #1864797

    I was doing some playing around.

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