I'm looking for some insight on how to put a decorative band that covers the seem from the rod blank (covered with chevron pattern) and up onto the cork tape....Do you make an epoxy "fillet" or build it up with thread to get to the same height? Any help - Much appreciated...

I sand down about 1/2" on the top of cork tape grip. I sand it pretty close to flush with the blank, seal it with Zap A Gap, then sand it smooth. That way you can do your butt wrap right up to it and run the tie-off over the sanded area.
I'll try to get some pics up so you can see better what I mean.

Fishaholic18 - Fantastic. That is great info......I will give it a try. The last few rods I've made, I built up the area with epoxy.....didn't really look "great". Does the tape "sand" pretty well with normal paper? Thanks again, much appreciated...

Fishaholic18 - Fantastic. That is great info......I will give it a try. The last few rods I've made, I built up the area with epoxy.....didn't really look "great". Does the tape "sand" pretty well with normal paper? Thanks again, much appreciated...

Yup, I glue the cork tape down at the end with Zap a Gap so it doesn't come up as I'm sanding on my rod lathe.

fishaholic18 - Last night I did exactly what you said....Worked like a charm. I appriecate the help.
I attached a couple of "camera phone" pics.....

fishaholic18 - Last night I did exactly what you said....Worked like a charm. I appriecate the help.
I attached a couple of "camera phone" pics.....

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_55.gifhttp://img126.exs.cx/img126/997/36_1_11.gif

Scotch tape helps with the transition