On 6 Aug 2007 12:32:28 GMT, Scott Seidman
wrote:

wrote in news:lqq7b3t8vtds44jt73alhjh2o4or93evqu@
4ax.com:

If you want to lathe a grip, make a
new one on a mandrel and install it on the rod. Hey, as always, YMMV.



Why would you give up a tight ring-by-ring custom fit?

OK...why? Seriously, as far as the exterior finish, I'd offer it is
pretty clear that it would make no difference whatsoever as to where the
cork is sanded - blank or mandrel. As to the rings fitting together,
again, it makes no difference. Now, if the mandrel is larger than the
blank, that would be a problem, but as long as the mandrel is the same
size or slightly smaller to allow for a final rasping, one would not be
able to tell the difference by use or appearance. Some think a mandrel
is the way to go because if there is a tear-/chunk-out or void, you
don't need to remove the "oops" from the blank, plus, you don't risk
damaging the blank or a ferrule in a lathe. Others don't worry about
it. IMO, both ways are equally "correct" as it is simply a matter of
personal choice.

On a grip replacement on a otherwise OK rod, I'd say guess is that most
experienced repairers would choose to go with a mandrel rather than
directly on an otherwise-fine finished butt section, but I don't claim
that I _know_ that. I can say _my_ choice would be a mandrel or by hand.

And as an aside, when I've used "lathe," I mean something set up as a
rod-finishing lathe, not a wood-turning lathe. A rod "lathe" is a
set-up to allow wrapping, grip _sanding_ (you don't finish a grip with
skews, gouges, etc.), "varnish" distribution, etc., and the "average"
wood-turning set-up is, IMO, not a substitute. And for the picky, yes,
I'd agree that one could modify certain wood-turning lathes into
something that would function as a rod lathe...and in only slightly less
time than building a water pipeline from Colorado to Lake Wobegon...

TC,
R