Guide insert replacement?

[aqua71]

I recently chipped the insert on one of my rod guides. It’s chipped pretty bad and must be replaced. Not sure if it matters, but it’s a Fuji Aconite guide.

Anyway, I have some spare guides laying around and I have one that matches exactly so I was wondering if I could swap the old insert with a new one. If so, I’m assuming it’s anchored in place by glue. If that’s the case, what would be the proper way to remove it?

I realize I could have a new guide wrapped on but the nearest rod repair facility is 30+ miles away, so I'd rather avoid that option if possible. Thanks!

[Snyder Rods]

The normal repair for that is to replace the whole guide.

[panyafish]

It's definitely better to re-wrap a new guide on--it's easier and stronger than trying to glue in an insert. However, if you can get the alconite ring out of your spare guide without cracking it you can superglue it on and it should hold up nicely. I've done it before with an SIC insert that popped out of its frame.

Getting the alconite ring out without cracking it is going to be difficult since they are so thin. If you are handy with a dremel you might cut the frame and pop the ring out.

[cjtoad]

Use epoxy not glue, if you are able to get the new ring out of the guide without damaging it, good luck.

[Mattman]

Replace the entire guide

[Bigs|ick]

Replace the entire guide

X2

[smalliesteve]

Try it. What's the worst that can happen? (You ruin the spare, or you successfully swap out the insert and it fails tomorrow) You'll be no worse off, you'll still have to swap out the entire guide. I would think that epoxy would be stronger than super glue but I don't have any real evidence to support that thought.

I suppose you could argue that tomorrow you might be fighting the biggest fish of your life and the ring will pop out and the frame will cut your line. I wouldn't bet on it though. I'm optimistic, but not THAT optimistic.

[aqua71]

Try it. What's the worst that can happen? (You ruin the spare, or you successfully swap out the insert and it fails tomorrow) You'll be no worse off, you'll still have to swap out the entire guide. I would think that epoxy would be stronger than super glue but I don't have any real evidence to support that thought.

My thoughts exactly.....

I appreciate everyone's input.

[panyafish]

I suggested superglue because it's thin enough to wick along ther inside where the frame and ring touch. I had trouble getting epoxy into the contact area between the frame and the guide when I first tried this, it would peel off once it hardened and the ring popped right out. Also, superglue will actually bond the ring to the metal.