Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: JasonGotaProblem on November 18, 2020, 05:44:19 PM

Title: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on November 18, 2020, 05:44:19 PM
Ok so here's a fun one. Having lots of hand and wrist injuries from a lifetime in martial Arts, I've become a huge fan of the round "power knob" type handles for reels, and i have them on 5 reels and counting, so far all metal ones that match the reel's color. But in the name of comfort I was looking at one of the EVA grip ones and started thinking about how i strongly prefer cork to EVA for rod grips. So what about a cork power knob? From my limited googling, some exist but it seems few are spherical, and of the ones I can find, all are listed as out of stock, and all seem to be of the (IMO) less desirable "burl cork" variety. And surprisingly expensive compared to the metal ones.

So what if I make my own?

I'd start with one of the cheaper and narrower ones without regard for color, and the top from a patron tequila bottle, drill out the cork as precisely as possible, and glue in the necessary parts from the purchased knob.

As with many of my ideas that seem brilliant to me, there's likely something I'm overlooking that would actually make this a dumb idea. So what am I missing?
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 12:13:00 AM
why don't you just make a cork glove  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

EDIT:
seriously, consider the Belgian Monk Ales -- dense cork, beefy base/stem
(albeit, small "sphere" w/ wire dents...  maybe, chubby torpedo?)
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: Dominick on November 19, 2020, 01:44:33 AM
Jason, go online to ebay or amazon and purchase bulk cork.  Glue it into a block then shape yourself a handle.  Dominick
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: Benni3 on November 19, 2020, 03:06:42 AM
Cork is great,,,,, :D on a fishing trip the cork grip broke and had to wrap it with leather shoe lace and gorilla glue,,,,, ??? Not pretty,,,, :o but it just feels right,,,,, ;) a power handle like this,,,,,,, ;D
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 03:15:43 AM
Ugly gonna sue you :o
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: thorhammer on November 19, 2020, 02:11:24 PM
Quote from: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 03:15:43 AM
Ugly gonna sue you :o


that's hilarious, I'm using it! the joke, not the wrap :)

I have cord and GG both in my travel repair kit- you can make a lot happen with them and electrical tape.

Actually, when I do a cord wrap I use a bead of GG, and it works well for reel seats also as it expands into voids for more surface area contact. I saw guys using it to secure toe rails on boats on large boats, so I was sold at that point.


Good call on the bottle corks for knobs- that sounds like something Mo would show us on a spinner.
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: mo65 on November 19, 2020, 03:09:25 PM
   Is this what you're talking about? I've used a few of these knobs and they seem to be pretty sturdy...no problems yet. 8)

     https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fishing-Knob-Handle-Baitcasting-Power-Knob-Fishing-Reel-Handles-Replacement-/233249307435?hash=item364ebdfb2b
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on November 19, 2020, 05:35:11 PM
Quote from: mo65 on November 19, 2020, 03:09:25 PM
   Is this what you're talking about? I've used a few of these knobs and they seem to be pretty sturdy...no problems yet. 8)

     https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fishing-Knob-Handle-Baitcasting-Power-Knob-Fishing-Reel-Handles-Replacement-/233249307435?hash=item364ebdfb2b
Yeah I saw those. I was hesitant about the "burl cork" but that one is very reasonably priced. Does it come apart or is it still fitment only? What I'm wondering is will it work on my shimano 27.5mm handle shaft or would I need to drill?
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 06:52:22 PM
which shimano reel?
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on November 19, 2020, 07:42:28 PM
Quote from: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 06:52:22 PM
which shimano reel?

My Spheros 4000XGSW (my personal favorite in my collection)

I know or at least believe this to be the shaft length because that's what the one currently in place says its meant for (currently rocking one of the 'gomexus' balls and generally liking it)
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 09:37:28 PM
nope, can't help w/ 4000 -- need more direct-drive stuff, myself
have extra 6000 handles -- thought that would be your ballpark, judging by your Penn's
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: jurelometer on November 19, 2020, 10:27:12 PM
Burl cork and cork composites are much more durable than natural cork,but a bit less grippy and a bit harder.   I like using it for rods where I used to use cork.    The stuff wears like iron, and won't  get destroyed by rod holders, etc.  The stuff turns and sands well, and you don't get any surprise voids as you shape it.

There is also a cork composite with some rubber chunks.  More grippy and squishy, and a bit heavier.  I haven't tried turning it.

Plus high quality natural cork is getting hard to find and expensive now.


This is a good idea.   I was trying to find some extra hard EVA foam to make oversized knobs for the fly reels that I use for tuna.   I think I will use  cork burl instead.

(https://alantani.com/gallery/30/11927_19_11_19_7_30_28.jpeg)

-J
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on November 20, 2020, 12:47:40 AM
Quote from: jurelometer on November 19, 2020, 10:27:12 PM
...
This is a good idea. 
...
-J
I should screen shot this.
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: CooldadE on November 20, 2020, 12:50:48 AM
I wonder if you could stabilize the cork knob like they do wood ? Would add weight though. But it would be hecka durable...

Cool
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: oc1 on November 20, 2020, 06:36:14 AM
Quote from: CooldadE on November 20, 2020, 12:50:48 AM
I wonder if you could stabilize the cork knob like they do wood ?
Cool
Cactus Juice is readily available in small volumes.
-steve
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: philaroman on November 20, 2020, 04:39:46 PM
Quote from: thorhammer on November 19, 2020, 02:11:24 PM
Quote from: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 03:15:43 AM
Ugly gonna sue you :o

that's hilarious, I'm using it! the joke, not the wrap :)


it all goes around:  I'm stealing,

"'X' is an unkown quantity and 'SPERT' is a drip under pressure"

from Tiddlerbasher

;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on November 23, 2020, 06:28:13 PM
Quote from: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 09:37:28 PM
nope, can't help w/ 4000 -- need more direct-drive stuff, myself
have extra 6000 handles -- thought that would be your ballpark, judging by your Penn's
Just realized I missed this one.

Yeah I've been drifting toward larger rigs lately, but I need to stop that. I don't go enough places with big fish. I do mostly inshore fishing so my next purchase should really be a salt friendly ultralight. Or maybe a house first? That's what my wife would say. Thanks though.
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: philaroman on November 23, 2020, 09:41:00 PM
Quote from: JasonGotaPenn on November 23, 2020, 06:28:13 PM
Quote from: philaroman on November 19, 2020, 09:37:28 PM
nope, can't help w/ 4000 -- need more direct-drive stuff, myself
have extra 6000 handles -- thought that would be your ballpark, judging by your Penn's
Yeah I've been drifting toward larger rigs lately, but I need to stop that. I don't go enough places with big fish. I do mostly inshore fishing so my next purchase should really be a salt friendly ultralight. Or maybe a house first? That's what my wife would say. Thanks though.

hey, I'm plannin' a really light Dunkin'Stradic 4000/5000 for that (have plenty through-the-gear Shimano stuff):
going back to early 90's graphite white frame & rarenium 80's solid bronze bushings on main gear
can downgrade to Malaysian brass bush line-roller assembly, or have plenty spare BB's to keep swappin'
can go w/ earlier model w/ multi-point rotor AR, that's easier to flush, inspect, etc.
or, FE instant AR & have a stack of spare clutch assemblies (easy to pop a fresh one in & less reeducation to service many together)

Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on December 07, 2020, 04:44:38 PM
So the one I ordered arrived yesterday. I like it, but wish it were a hair softer, which is why i wanted to go with non-burl cork. But the hardware is perfectly set up for me to re use it for a home made knob in the future if I really wanna go that route.
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: Donnyboat on December 07, 2020, 11:30:20 PM
Brings to mind, if you had a large cork handle, the reel may float as well, ha haa, cheers Don.
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: Benni3 on December 08, 2020, 12:16:51 AM
That looks fantastic man,,,,,,,, ;D
Title: Re: Potentially my craziest idea yet (cork power knob)
Post by: basto on December 08, 2020, 12:24:46 AM
Would look great on a rod with cork grips too.