If any one knows how to get the reel seat off so that I can put on a new handle and the best way to remove a ring I would appreciate some assistance so that I can fix the rod before going to Malaysia.
Easy peasy.
Ring, use a stanely knife to cut the thread (along the ring foot to avoide damaging the blank) and then heat with a hair drier. The epoxy should them peel right off.
Handle, I tend to make a cut into the cork, and then pry it apart cork ring by cork ring. Sometimes they pop right off leaving noting on the blank, other times they leave a lot of crumbles cork glued to the blank. In this case, use a sharp knofe to remove as much as you can, then sand paper to get back to the blank. You will need to remove any rings on the butt to allow the new handle to slide into place.
