Original Loomis 1562 IMX Rods are Getting a Face Lift

[Spiel]

In the shop today, two old school 1562 IMX builds are currently getting a face lift.
I'm swapping out the old worn and low quality cork work for modern custom wood seats and top end cork.

There's gotta be a better way to make a buck. 






 

[misfish]

That has got to be a be atch of a job, to get that crap off.

[Spiel]

10 minutes ago, misfish said:

That has got to be a be atch of a job, to get that crap off.

With factory builds Brian I know what I'm getting into most of the time, it's the custom builds that always throw a curve or two at me.

You can see in the first picture where I have already cleaned the blank down to factory smooth forward of the original reel placement.

[BillM]

I've got that same factory handle on one of my IM6s, lol.    

[Ron]

I had to look at the reel seat to see if it was my stolen rod. Lol. Just kidding of course.

[Spiel]

Well one of them is now cleaned off entirely and will be getting the new handle installed starting tomorrow.
It could be fishing for Steel by next weekend. 

 

[Spiel]

Well the first IMX 1562 is done and ready to bank Chrome again.

 

[Silvertracker]

If you ever get a 1562 IM6 for sale - i am interested

 

Thank you

 

[misfish]

Beauty work bud. Is that the fat cork handle ?

[Spiel]

1 hour ago, misfish said:

Beauty work bud. Is that the fat cork handle ?

 

Thank you Brian.

Not sure what you mean by "fat" Brian.

It's as thin in diameter as I can get it (at its maximum diameter) for the reel seat hardware size which is used in the majority of my Steelehead rods.

[misfish]

16 minutes ago, Spiel said:

Not sure what you mean by "fat" Brian.

The same as what you did on mine. I found that the cork was much thicker then a factory build. Took a bit to get use to, but much nicer to hold on to then a factory one.

[Spiel]

Just now, misfish said:

The same as what you did on mine. I found that the cork was much thicker then a factory build. Took a bit to get use to, but much nicer to hold on to then a factory one.

Factory builds, especially sliding ring handles are rather thin (in diameter) I find and tiresome over long days with grip fatigue.
Many of my customers and friends now prefer a slightly beefier grip as they find it less fatiguing.



 

[Fish Farmer]

Nice !!!

Looks to clean for me, you need some scales and slime on it.👍😂

[BillM]

Chris, you ever seal the cork or leave that up to the customer?  

[Spiel]

18 hours ago, BillM said:

Chris, you ever seal the cork or leave that up to the customer?  

I usually leave it to the customer to ask Bill.
However if I'm using a lower grade cork at the request of the customer that requires some filler I always use a sealer afterwards.

[Ron]

Meh... The rebuild you did for me looked better. LOL

Just kidding, they all look GREAT!