Author Archives: dave49

Chuck Jaw Regrind

Posted on November 19, 2013 by dave49

The 4 jaw chuck is a workhorse for reelmaking. Sherline’s 4 jaw is just big enough to hold the 2.5 to 3 inch diameter material needed to make reel frames. Since these parts have to be machined from both sides, … Continue reading →

Posted in Work Holding | Leave a comment

Size 4 Reel, One Piece Frame & Spool

Posted on October 29, 2013 by dave49

Just finished a reel for WF4F line. It is 2.53 inch diameter and 2.8 ounce weight. I will use it on the fiberglass rod that I recently built. This is just a larger version of the last reel that I … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reels | 3 Comments

Counter-Electrodes for Coloring

Posted on October 27, 2013 by dave49

Anodized coatings can be dyed, but I prefer the process of electrolytic coloring; it is easier to get a uniform finish. My earlier post on coloring was on 24 Aug 2012. When growing the anodize layer, the design of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anodizing/Plating | Leave a comment

Mill Enclosure

Posted on September 30, 2013 by dave49

When I first got my Sherline mill, I put it in a large tote to help contain the chips that are thrown in all directions. I screwed the mill base to a piece of laminate covered shelving, which was not … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures | 2 Comments

Custom Tap Wrench

Posted on September 26, 2013 by dave49

Having a wrench guide virtually eliminates the breakage of taps. Sherline’s web site has “Machininsts Tips”, and number 7 shows a wrench for holding small taps. I have made a similar wrench. The brass sleeve is the guide, and is … Continue reading →

Posted in Threading | 2 Comments

New Foot Fixtures

Posted on September 16, 2013 by dave49

My new reel design has a one piece frame, so the foot has to attach in a different way. Previously, the foot had a tooling hole that allowed simple clamping on two special fixtures. Without the tooling hole, clamping is … Continue reading →

Posted in Foot | 2 Comments

Line Guide Gadget

Posted on September 13, 2013 by dave49

The first time I saw one of these was at a silent auction, and it took a while for me to figure out what it was. It is a visual aid for a rodmaker, to help get the butt section … Continue reading →

Posted in Rods | 4 Comments

Rod Wrapping

Posted on September 9, 2013 by dave49

To assist in putting the thread wraps on my fiberglass rod, I was able to borrow this deluxe fixture from RKP. This is my homemade rotation device for wrap finishing. It was originally made to be a fly tying tool, … Continue reading →

Posted in Rods | Leave a comment

Making the Grip

Posted on September 3, 2013 by dave49

Pre-made rod grips are available, but I chose to buy cork rings. This fiberglass blank is .435 to .403 diameter in the span of the grip, and I thought it would be difficult to enlarge a 1/4 inch bore (6.5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Rods | Leave a comment

Fitting a Reel Seat

Posted on September 1, 2013 by dave49

For a while, making a rod is displacing the making of reels. I am not an accomplished caster, but I have recently learned that a slower rod is probably better for me. A friend acquired a rod made from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Rods | Leave a comment