The Rodhouse take

Swapping the original EVA ring for a metal one shows up immediately on a handle. With 15 inner diameters and 10 finishes in the catalogue, you dial in exactly the look you have in mind. Few finishing touches change the character of a build this much.

16.5 mm OD, 15 inner diameters from 7.5 to 14.5 mm

• Rodbuilders’ Republic TRCSTG16.5 winding check
• Fixed outer diameter: 16.5 mm
• Inner diameter: from 7.5 to 14.5 mm in 0.5 mm steps, 15 sizes
• Weight: from 1.18 g in 7.5 to 0.33 g in 14.5
• 10 finishes: Gold, Silver, Gloss Black, Matt Black, Red, Cobalt Blue, Titanium Chrome, Deep Sea, Jungle Green, Bronze
• Compatible with the CSTG-VSS16 soft touch grip, grip side
• Also closes a size 16 thread
• Use: split grip builds and thread finishing

What this winding check changes on a split grip

Closing the CSTG-VSS16 on the grip side

The CSTG-VSS16 soft touch carbon grip ships with its EVA rings. Replacing the grip-side one with a TRCSTG16.5 lines the outer diameter of the check up with that of the grip and gives a clean transition between blank and handle. The contact face stays square for the epoxy, which makes gluing and centring easier when you fit it. Three uses come up most often at the bench:

• Closing the CSTG-VSS16 on the grip side of a split grip build
• Clean finishing of a size 16 thread
• Echoing the colours of your wraps or your reel seat

From 7.5 to 14.5: picking the right inner diameter

The 16.5 mm outer diameter stays the same. So it is the inner diameter you choose according to your blank: measure it with callipers at the exact fitting point, then take the next size up. Final fitting is done with epoxy, using shim tape or an arbor if there is still noticeable play. For the butt-side finish, the TRCSTG18.5 follows the same logic on a wider outer diameter, and you will find every reference in the winding checks collection.