Tightening screws on reel clamp?

[Xue]

Not sure if I've ever read about how tight is safe to torque down the screws on a blank. Some of my reels still seem to move even though the clamps are tight. I'm always afraid to clamp it down too much as the rod looks like it could crack. What is the rule of thumb on tightening rod clamps?

 

[lazyfisherman]

Give something for the clap to grab on to. Some heat shrink, cord, or more cork tape will help the reel and clamp dig in and hold on. I've seen people put cold shrink directly onto the blank, but there's not enough give in the handle for the reel to hold on. Then all that clamping force is transferred to the blank. Eventually, you'll have your blank flattening out at the point.

 

[plj46]

It depends on the blank.A lot of newer stuff has thin walls and will fracture easier than you think.Also the size of the clamp.I've got an older Calstar 6480 that somebody managed to crack by over tightening and that rod has some thick walls.I managed to fix it with a sleeve made from another blank.I've been sleeving thinner walled blanks just for this reason.

 

[Xue]

I've just now taken off 3 reels that's been on rods and there is an impression on the foam but it doesn't look like the blanks are affected. I'll put some cord on that section and see.

 

[plj46]

I've just now taken off 3 reels that's been on rods and there is an impression on the foam but it doesn't look like the blanks are affected. I'll put some cord on that section and see.

Look for a very faint white line.It's usually hardly noticeable.

 

[Xue]

Look for a very faint white line.It's usually hardly noticeable.

For the crack?

 

[Highwayman]

Not sure if I've ever read about how tight is safe to torque down the screws on a blank. Some of my reels still seem to move even though the clamps are tight. I'm always afraid to clamp it down too much as the rod looks like it could crack. What is the rule of thumb on tightening rod clamps?

I don’t like DH rods fishing tuna for the reasons you are sharing. One way to disperse the pressure is with a cork puppy with or without a wide aftermarket clamp. This device works well preventing slippage. In the past I have put a screw driver in my pocket. I also have wrapped tuna cord with flex coat to stiffen the clamp area.

 

[mike mitchell]

I don’t like DH rods fish tuna for the reasons you are sharing. One way to disperse the pressure is with a cork puppy with or wide aftermarket clamp. This device works well preventing slippage. In the past I have put a screw driver in my pocket. I also have wrapped tuna cord with flex coat to stiffen the clamp area.

I prefer deck hand rods for under 30 lb. and under.

 

[Rick U]

This stuff is thick and has adhesive. You won’t need to torq the screws down because the reels seats itself.

 

[pukahd]

I use a few layers of friction tape over cork and it help to hold the reel from swiveling or moving as you don’t have to torque it as much

 

[Peteb]

I would venture to guess that you would break the clamp bolts before you cracked the rod.
Don't ask me how I know.

 

[lowprofile]

Wrap or tape a plate seat on. It eliminates 90% of the side to side action when taped on and 100% when wrapped. Add the clamp with a modest amount of torque and the reel isn’t going anywhere.
Having one point of contact to secure the reel is absurd to me and I personally hate deckhand grips. It’s lazy and people mount the reel too low anyways.

 

[lowprofile]

I would venture to guess that you would break the clamp bolts before you cracked the rod.
Don't ask me how I know.

Maybe on a CUI or old calstar. These thin walled seekers and newer calstar jig sticks crumple under the pressure.

 

[broton]

I fish exclusively fish deckhand rods for everything under 80#. All UC’s, I have never had an issue. I do fish Accurates and always upgrade the clamps to the Pitbull clamp to get more surface area. I do put shrink wrap where the reels go and on some of the blanks I have put tuna cord then cork over that. I prefer deckhand rods (I guess I am lazy as one poster said).

Oh and I do like my reels “mounted too low”.

 

[Gouryella]

View attachment 1491703

This stuff is thick and has adhesive. You won’t need to torq the screws down because the reels seats itself. View attachment 1491704

Where can you buy this?

 

[Mr. DRE]

I've switched to these clamps and they work much better than factory clamps.

 

[OutFishing2]

Good point I seen that on some of my blanks look like they had been over tight like leaving a big mark on the blank

 

[Rick U]

Amazon has similar

 

[Rick U]

Where can you buy this?

XHF 1.5 inch 3:1 Waterproof Clear Heat Shrink Tubing Marine Grade Wire Cable Adhesive Lined Tube Insulation Seal Against Moisture Corrosion and Air Leakage, 4 Ft https://a.co/d/dxIpDBB

 

[Xue]

All good ideas. Thanks.

I just ordered some of that XHF tubing.

 

[Noms]

I've switched to these clamps and they work much better than factory clamps.

View attachment 1491823

Well are you going to give us the name of said clamp?

 

[fishharvester]

Well are you going to give us the name of said clamp?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[brilliantdodo]

Well are you going to give us the name of said clamp?

Steel Baits clamp. I don't know where you get them, everything is always sold out on their website? I'd like a couple

 

[Mr. DRE]

Steel baits. They come if two sizes and a few color choices

 

[diseasedscrotum]

My Gosh!!! Now that's quite a collection of sticks!!(one any angler would be proud to own!!).