Sections Don't Meet On New Rod

[mauser]

I've just bought a new TFG 13' carp/match ''Grunt'' carbon fibre rod but I'm not happy. The sections/joints don't completely go all the way so there is a gap of around and inch of bare grey carbon exposed. I rand TFG and was told that this is normal. I watched the Matt Hayes vodeo on float fishing and he was using the exact same rod but all the sections completely went home, no bare carbon exposed. When I mentioned this to TFG I was told that he was using a prototype rod for the vid. What do you guys think? Should I send the rod back?

[gullyworm]

Not to sure about your exact rod mate but my Zziplex's dont go all the way home and there not suposed to.
On a new rod there is usually a good inch showing and over the years this will shrink with wear.
I also have a couple of carp rods for light sea work which dont come together.
I wouldnt worry about it,i m pretty sure its normal,if they went all the way home after a bit of wear the two sections would become lose and fall apart.
Good luck

[Vagabond]

All you need do is ease the male end of the ferrule with a bit of very fine emery paper.

Do it VERY gently, making sure to offer the sections up (ie test if they fit yet) frequently.

You are probably only needing to take about one or two thousandths of an inch off the diameter.

I bought a couple of Conoflex beachcasters direct from the factory (top of the range stuff) One fitted perfectly, the other was as you described.

Less than five minutes with the emery paper had that rod fitting perfectly also.

Engineering tolerances in modern rods are usually pretty good, but sometimes one half of a joint will be at the top end of the tolerance, and t'other half at the bottom end. Result - a tight fit.

Hand finishing as above takes care of it - far less hassle than sending the rod back.

BTW you don't want the sections to actually meet, - about a quarter inch gap is fine - that allows for a bit of wear over the years.

[Banana Steve]

How much of Ferrell is showing and how much is going into the rod. Because if it is only mm going into the rod, then that is not right, however if is a good proportion then that is normal, like vagabond said you can always sand the spigot down to fit. If you are not happy then tell them that and you want to return the rod and your money back.

Regards, Steve

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Banana Steve

like vagabond said you can always sand the spigot down to fit.

Errr not quite what I said.

Definitely NOT sandpaper Steve, EMERY paper, and the very finest grade at that.

[gullyworm]

I d be very very carefull,no way would i use anything on my rods.
As Someone said if your not happy take it back.

[mauser]

Thanks for all the replies. Steve, they go in a good way, I suppose there's about 3/4" showing. The reason I asked this question in the first place is because I also bought a new Maver Match rod and all the sections completely meet. This is what made me concerned.

[Banana Steve]

Originally Posted by Vagabond

Errr not quite what I said.

Definitely NOT sandpaper Steve, EMERY paper, and the very finest grade at that.

my bad, hand fisted, thats me use the ruffest stuff i can find, you don't want to see the toilet paper i use then

[maghouse]

Just to add my 10p's worth - rods rarely 'meet in the middle, there is always an inch or so left to allow for wear so if they meet then as they do wear , the rod will get 'sloppy and rattle in the middle ....
If it goes in a good few inches - the bit left over wont matter (thats what the wife says )