hazmail Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 (edited) In the distant past I used to make rod grips from champagne corks, it's easy and nearly as good as the store bought grips (better then factory grips) - sound's stupid I know but at the price of cork here - believe me like everywhere else, Portugal is a long way from here, it's really worth making your own -------------------- Plus, making anything rather than buying it, for me is priceless????. As a lot of you would know it's a heap of work making a tutorial, so is anyone interested ??? The 'Melbourne Cup' is on in 2 weeks, so there will be heaps of Champagne, drunk women, and free cork (grips) round here - AND I am about to make my first rod in 20 years, cause I am sick of waiting for one I ordered 2 months back - Pete Edited October 26, 2009 by hazmail 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Wine/Chapagne corks seem to be better quality than most rodbuildingcork so I would definitely be interested ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balls Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 G'day all Hazmail I do the same, I use a die grinder to cut the centre out of the champayne cork to suit the rod blank I'm making. I've just done the handles for two Samarai blanks I use for 1 & 2 kg line class comps. Piece of cake to make up the clamps with metal threads & timber, I glue them up when I have excess epoxy when gluing eyelts into lures. Best part is the rods are made to suit individual requirements, corks on tap for me working in a Casino, I also use the corks in a similar fashion for chasing Sailfish & Marlin, corks are partially routered out to allow skirt & rigged bait to fit snuggly into recessed cork, painted to what ever colour spins your wheels, cheers Balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The WB Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I know this is an old topic, but I thought I would share my story: Just started building a coupla months ago, but quickly noticed the price and quality of cork grips and cork rings sucks. So, I bought 400 champagne corks off etsy.com for less than $50. See my first attempt attached. My intention was to sand down the irregularities, but I've decided to leave as is. The grip feels like a dream. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshng2 Posted March 24, 2017 Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 8 hours ago, The WB said: I know this is an old topic, but I thought I would share my story: Just started building a coupla months ago, but quickly noticed the price and quality of cork grips and cork rings sucks. So, I bought 400 champagne corks off etsy.com for less than $50. See my first attempt attached. My intention was to sand down the irregularities, but I've decided to leave as is. The grip feels like a dream. Wow pretty neat. ...I like it. What are your plans for the remaining corks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshng2 Posted March 24, 2017 Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 On 10/26/2009 at 8:00 AM, hazmail said: In the distant past I used to make rod grips from champagne corks, it's easy and nearly as good as the store bought grips (better then factory grips) - sound's stupid I know but at the price of cork here - believe me like everywhere else, Portugal is a long way from here, it's really worth making your own -------------------- Plus, making anything rather than buying it, for me is priceless????. As a lot of you would know it's a heap of work making a tutorial, so is anyone interested ??? The 'Melbourne Cup' is on in 2 weeks, so there will be heaps of Champagne, drunk women, and free cork (grips) round here - AND I am about to make my first rod in 20 years, cause I am sick of waiting for one I ordered 2 months back - Pete I like it I think it would be a great tutorial. If it were me I would just post a few pictures and keep it simple though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted March 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 Had forgot all about this post--2009 ??? This is what I do to get the ''rib and cap'' marks out of the used corks, they come out round and square on the ends, and slightly larger in diameter---nearly like new. I get a big pot of water (in the shed preferably) and about 1/4 fill with water, boil it, then throw all your corks in and turn the water DOWN to simmer, WITH a lid on for about 15 min-- Don't fill the pot with corks , they will expand push the lid off. When you think you have got the best shape, drain the hot water and place them on a cake grate (WARNING they will be hot), then put them in the sun for a few days to dry. WARNING--don't do this inside the house, your wife / partner will crack, the stale Champagne and hot cork are a pretty smelly. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshng2 Posted March 25, 2017 Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 Thank for posting. This is good info that everyone should know that is considering recycling old corks. Another nugget I read: The better grade cork comes from more expensive champagne and wine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
