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.