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How do you remove old guides from a rod?

I'm trying to convert one of my old fishing rods into an ice fishing rod. I don't know how i could remove some fo the old broken guides. They seem to be cemented rock solid onto the rod. I want to put on new guides. I'd welcome any help. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. You are right about the cement. After winding the thread over the eyes you cement them to seal the and strengthen the eyes. You should be able to take a lighter and melt the cement than cut the thread holding the eyes on. Hope this helps.
2. you are going to have to remove all that old epoxy that they sealed the wraps with by carefully scraping it off. but first, cut the wrapping along the foot of the guide, loosen a thread and just unwrap it as you have evidently already done. grab the guide with needle-nose pliers and gently twist it side to side until it falls off. don't try to burn it off or you'll ruin your rod. usually, the only place you need to heat it is at the tip which is usually applied with a hot melt cement. use a candle and don't let it get too hot. it should slip right off.
3. Use a sharp knife and slice the treading that holds the eye in place, thats how I do it.
4. The guides are attached with thread and then coated with some kind of epoxy or varnish. You need some single edge razor blades and a heat source to warm what ever finish was used. I warm the finish and cut the thread on top of the guide against the metal foot. This way I don't damage the rod blank. Try to remove the thread by unwrapping it and using the minimal amounts of cuts, and warm if necessary. Change blades as needed as they dull fast and will cause more problems later if you cut into the rod . On older rods the epoxy used was fast curing and will chip and not soften with heat. The same applies to rods coated with a varnish finish. Just take your time with these and try not to cut into the rod blank. When heating the finish remember to just WARM and avoid damaging the rod blank by overheating. I use a modified propane torch for heat but the Butane lighters with the long extension made for lighting candles work great, just move the flame and don't over heat. They give a nice clean blue flame and don't leave soot as a normal cigarette lighter will do. If you have a yellow flame you will have a soot problem that will cause troubles with applying finish to the new guides.
5. heat the epoxy around them then giggle them lose and they should come right out
6. cut along the guide foot, remove the thread and epoxy little by little with a razor or knife. DO NOT SCRAPE against the rod. Most epoxies will flake off or peel with the thread. Don't rush this or you can end up damaging your rod permanently. Don't use heat to remove the guides, only the tip. On a graphite rod, the heat will weaken the wall of the rod blank, and this can cause a weak spot that can crack or shatter under stress of a fish loading the rod. If you want to take the risk....it's your rod. I would NEVER do it though.
7. Get a lighter and heat the guide while pulling on it with needle nose pliers It should come off, it might take a little effort but it will come off eventually. Good luck! ;)