I have been handcrafting rods now for about 4 years but have yet to use an exposed blank. My next work will be on a Rainshadow 1024F blank and I will probably use their reel seat component. My main question is choosing the proper diameter as the bottom of the reel seat will need to be resting against the blank with out anyway to be built up. Or am I wrong?
Also any tips about attaching an exposed blank is appreciated since once you start to glue you pretty much gotta finish otherwise you have a mess. The people who taught me have never attached exposed blanks so maybe someone can help me out.

PS. After fishing with these rods for little over a year I just don't understand why someone would fish with anything else. I have repeatedly overloaded these and they just stand up to the challenge every time. Thank you Pat and Gordy for turning me on to these.

The reel seat should dry fit an inch or two above it's final resting place. Once you put the rod bond on it will slide down and fit tight. I have the luxury of being able to take the blank in to Greg's and make sure I get an exact fit but they can be reamed a little if necessary.

Nothing else magic about them. Make sure you clean up the exposed portion well, you'll have you finger there forever and any imperfection will be noticed forever.

Go to Rodbuilding.org and do a search. Mass of info.

You have to love Rainshadow rods! I fish with them exclusively now. We have been building them for a couple of years now, a great product coming from the Batson's. If I remember correctly, we don't use tape to build up the exposed realseats, we bought these gray "spacers" I guess you would call them. They worked alot easier. Just remember to wipe the blank really well after is in the correct placement.

later
Elkman