How do you fix a broken rod tip?

On 14 May 1998 13:58:27 GMT, 'Darren Bender'

If it snapped off just right below the tip, it could mean that the builder could have trimmed down the tip to fit a tip top that has too small a diameter. If this is the case you might want to bring the rod back to the shop and complain.

Otherwise you may heat up the tip top just enough to melt the hot glue and remove the broken piece inside. The tip top may be reused but if it is now too small to fit, get a new one and install with tip top glue. The distance from the guide to the tip top may not warrant repositioning of the other guides if the break is just at the tip top.

Ron Looi

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Your problem is very common and quite easy to fix. Since the rod is tapered you will not be able to salvage the old tip guide and use it. You will need a new one fitted to the end of the rod.

First take a razor blade and gently trim off any jagged edge at the tip to be sure it is a clean edge. Also make sure there are no lateral cracks in the rod just below where it broke. If so, cut it off below all the cracks so you have clean solid rod blank.

LIGHTLY sand about half an inch of the tip with a fine grit sandpaper. This is just to clear off any finish and give it a little rough so the glue can take a good set.

You are now ready to install the new tip. I would suggest a good quality tip like a Fuji BNLG of the proper size for your rod. You should take the rod in with you to a tackle store so they can select the correct size tip for you.

There is a glue especially packaged for this job. It comes in a stick about the size of a crayon, either opaque white or clear amber, and is a hot melt type glue.

DO NOT APPLY HEAT DIRECTLY TO THE ROD TIP. Heat the glue stick until the end melts. Wipe the melted glue onto the tip and let it set for a minute. Take the new tip guide in a long nost pliers and heat the guide until it is hot enough to melt the glue on the tip of the rod. Carefully slide the heated guide onto the tip of the rod and adjust alignment. Allow it to set for several minutes.

OR: Just take the rod into any good tackle shop and they will perform the above for you for a very nominal charge.

Can one remove the tip top later on using heat?

Ron Looi

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Good idea.

May not be necessary if such areas (cracks) are going to be inside the tip top tube portion. Use 5 min. epoxy instead of hot melt glue in this case. Remember that trimming too much off the tip top may require guides to be repositioning and may change rod action.

Ron Looi

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