Grip Turning?

[lowwall]

I would like to start up to turning my own grips be next winter. Would like to experimnet with things other than cork, Birch bark, Poker Chips, Exotic woods etc. ao I will be trurnig on a mandrel for sure.
Just need to decide on a Lathe? Any advice on what to get
Mike

[fessiewig]

Mike,

I know Bill Thompson over at North Country Angler has all that gear and turns his own grips. Maybe you'd want to talk with him.

[j_harper]

Lowall, I've used a variable speed drill in a bench vise to turn grips. Check this out, it seems liek an improvment on my setup:

http://www.flexcoat.com/equip.html

[Mountain Angler]

If you have bucks to burn you mat want to check out the Renzetti rod lathe. This system doubles as a wrapping tool and drying motor as well. But, at $750 it isn’t cheap.
My first rig used a bench grinder as the motor. The grinding wheel was removed and a drill chuck was added. You need to make some kind of device to hold the rod. This is a step up from using a drill. I still use this rig from time to time for some jobs.
For directions on how to make one of these check out The Custom Graphite Fly Rod by Skip Morris.
The lathe I use now is an old metal turning lathe made around 1900. It is belt driven and I use an old washing machine motor to run it. It has a self centering chuck. I also use it to turn wood inserts for reel seats. The old girl has a history of rod making. I brought the lathe from Bill Franke who is one of the finest custom rod builders I have ever known. Bill is the genius behind the OnePfoot. Before Bill owned the lathe it was owned by a well known bamboo rod maker.
You might check around some old machine shops in your area you never know what might turn up.
If I can offer you any help let me know. Should you decide on the Renzetti let me know as I am a Renzetti dealer. Hey might as well do a little advertising while I am at it.
Good Luck, turning your own grips is a lot of fun and adds a lot to your custom rod.

[Tom Jutras]

Mike
If you could find an old bench top lathe that was made by South Bend I would jump on it. I don't know what they would sell for but I know they are hard to come by.