Change color of Hypalon Aftco Reel Seat/Pole Butt. Done!

[droppedit]

Figured I'd take a couple of pics of the cold shrink. Slide it over the blank and pull the plastic off and as it unwinds it forms to the blank. Cool stuff.
Here are 3 sizes and I know they make way more. You can see how much it shrinks down to. A lot of the commercial tuna guys out here are using it on the unibutt as they do most of the work from the rod holder and it doesn't chew it up.

Dave

[steelfish]

nice, first time hearing about cold shrink tube, looks pretty cool

[otghoyt]

Cold shrink?   Now there's new trick for this old dog.  I like it.  Aaand pictures too!  Woo-hoo!  Getting close to a plan here, guys.  Proper names for the parts of the butt section.  If I don't watch my Ps and Qs, I may just learn something here.

Is this "Cold Shrink a "system" by the Minnesota Mining folks.  The expansion coil in particular.

What thoughts do you all have about the Aftco "Max Force 1" stand-up harness.  Any ideas?

Hoyt

[thorhammer]

I've only personally used heat shrink, but Jon Vadney showed me the cold shrink he applies and I was sold. IMO it looks more durable than heat shrink especially for a rail or butt application. I think Alan has it as rail pad on his UC's from Jon; he might weigh in after the recent LR trip.

[gstours]

I have used both the cold shrink in the last pictures and the heat.   The cold is a thicker rubber like tube feeling, and definitely will wear better in a rod holder, and the heat shrink thinner and quite available, versatile.   You might dye it first, with leather dye etc,  then cover it when you change your mind.... I like a slick butt for the rodholder priority rods and they are inexpensive and wear well.   just my 2 cents worth..... You got a lot of options.

[droppedit]

Here is one I forgot about. We did a jig rod that was designed to be used on the rail (butt section) for jigging. The owner was at the John Deere equipment shop and saw some hydraulic hose. This is the ultimate! Steel reinforced. I slid the hose up from the butt (shimmed about every 2 inches) and then used heat shrink to cover the areas where the steel could come through. I did a lot of filing before the hose went on. Sometimes we get way too much time on our hands.

[thorhammer]

now that's HD right there

[otghoyt]

I been tryin to egumicate myself  and I must admit, I am overwhelmed with Slick Butt, Tuff Butt and the like.  Personally, I'd like to see some Party Butt around here.  Ah well.

The Cold Shrink has it's place and it brings a fix to something previously un-fixable.  The downside is it looks like a radiator hose on your Chevy.  Beyond that, the longer sizes get real pricey real fast.  Nearly 75 bucks for my need and Blue Hypalon is starting to look good!  There is a less expensive Tool Handle repair version but those are all about 8 inches long and won't cover my fore end grip.

I am fairly convinced that I am going to re-do the fore end with flocked, heat shrink and probably a full R&R of the 10" long butt section.

Here's some links to places I have been.......

https://www.amazon.com/Stiletto-AG-102-AirGrip-Coldshrink-Diameter/dp/B001445114
http://www.anglersworkshop.com/Heat-Shrink-Tubing/Rubber-Shrink-Tubing
http://www.anglersworkshop.com/Handle-Components
http://www.captharry.com/fishing-accessories/harnesses/aftco-maxforce-i-stand-up-harness.html

Hoyt

[thorhammer]

Hoyt, I have to do the same thing in a bit; I have a cracked reel seat that has to be replaced so I'm going to shrink the fore while I'm in there. haven't decided on rear yet.
take pics

[PacRat]

I just remembered that Ted colored some EVA knobs with Plasti-Dip. You can find it here: http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=18265.0

-Mike

[droppedit]

I just remembered that Ted colored some EVA knobs with Plasti-Dip. You can find it here: http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=18265.0

-Mike

Thanks, I have 4 ProGear handles that this will go well on.

[conchydong]

If you use the rod for trolling or other fishing out of rod holders, as mentioned previously in this thread, a slick or  aluminum butt would be the best bet. Some of these butts could often be found at lower costs than the 3M Coldshrink.

[otghoyt]

And yes, dropping it in and getting it out of rod holder under load is definitely a concern, no question about that.  That part of the rod isn't really used for anything else other than a rod holder.  Probably Tuff Butt, Slick Butt from what I have seen.

[otghoyt]

You ain't gonna believe this.. The huge magic markers that the hoodlums use to tag everything.  Well they do a bang-up job of changing the color of your Hypalon pole butt foam material.  When the stink is gone it does not rub off.  Don't get it near alcohol. The ink comes right off and is messy as hell.  Other than that it is very permanent.  

I will post pics soon.  

[oc1]

Good.  I didn't want to say anything Hoyt, but that was the ugliest fishing rod I've ever seen.
-steve