Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Fishing Rods => Fishing Rods => Topic started by: Shark Hunter on May 04, 2013, 04:34:34 PM

Title: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: Shark Hunter on May 04, 2013, 04:34:34 PM
I have a 160lb rated roller rod, but the gimbal butt is not lined up square with the guides.
When I strap on my Harness and belt, the reel is twisted too far to the right and it will not work.
This is for a 14/0 senator and there is no way I can hold it up without a harness.
I have heard that I could stick the butt in a pan of boiling water and twist it off, then epoxy it back on straight. Do you think this will work?
What kind of epoxy should I use. I have the 15 minute type from hobby lobby. Is this good enough?
Title: Re: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: Bryan Young on May 04, 2013, 04:45:33 PM
This may work depending on the type of epoxy that was used. You may need to heat it even hotter though.

15min epoxy will be fine to re-glue it back on.
Title: Re: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: Shark Hunter on May 04, 2013, 05:08:10 PM
Thanks Bryan,
I will give it a try this evening.
This site is the BEST! Blows SOS out of the water.
I can always depend on you guys for help.
Title: Re: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: Keta on May 04, 2013, 06:09:09 PM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on May 04, 2013, 05:08:10 PM
Thanks Bryan,
I will give it a try this evening.
This site is the BEST! Blows SOS out of the water.
I can always depend on you guys for help.
I use a heat gun, a propane toutch takes off the coating.  A new gimble butt will run around $10.00.
Title: Re: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: locknut on May 04, 2013, 07:56:56 PM
You are not clear if the gimbal is Metal or  Plastic. Heat might work on the metal but maybe not on plastic. If you cannot move it they are not hard to remove. Cut down the sides with a hacksaw  slowly. Be careful to not cut too deep and cut the blank. There are plenty of places on line you can get a new one such as Mudhole.com. Good luck.
Title: Re: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: Keta on May 04, 2013, 08:03:35 PM
It's a 160lb rod, I've only seen aluminum gimbles on heavy rods.
Title: Re: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: UKChris on May 08, 2013, 01:27:43 PM
I have an old Harnell 180-Unlimited (Royal VII) - lovely - with a wooden butt. The gimbal fitting is heavy chrome-plated brass and I think no longer available. Aftco and others do make aluminium glue-on ones that would suit a heavy rod and as Locknut says Mudhole and others will have them.

Hope you are successful.

Chris
Title: Re: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: Normslanding on May 08, 2013, 02:27:57 PM
Caution in heating. If you heat it hot enough to remove it you may heat the rod blank to hot. You might get some good advice from the rod builders on Bloodydecks rod building page. I have removed some stuff like this but if it is attached with anything other that tip cement you my have heating issues destroying the butt.
Title: Re: Misaligned gimbal butt
Post by: Bryan Young on May 08, 2013, 04:04:29 PM
Please post some pics so that we can offer more educated advise.