Author Archives: dave49

Way Covers

Posted on December 18, 2012 by dave49

The Sherline lathe has leadscrews that are under the bed and cross-slide; these need no separate way covers. On the mill, the X and Z leadscrews are similarly protected, but the Y axis leadscrew is exposed to falling swarf. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Milling | Leave a comment

Minor Design Change

Posted on December 4, 2012 by dave49

While making a second Fixed Spindle Reel of the smaller (3 wt) size, I increased the diameter of the lightening holes. (Modification on the right below.) I believe that I like the larger holes a little better than those of … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reels | 1 Comment

Electrochemical Etching

Posted on December 3, 2012 by dave49

This post documents another attempt to mark my reels. Here I have used an electrochemical etch kit from Lectroetch. They promote its use to knifemakers, where the blades are typically steel. The kit consists of a low voltage AC transformer … Continue reading →

Posted in Engraving/Marking | 2 Comments

Tap for Aluminum

Posted on November 12, 2012 by dave49

The frame screws of my reels are 4-40 UNC. There are 10 such holes (foot & pillars) to tap for each reel. On repetitive tasks, it is good to have the best possible tool. McMaster-Carr sells “Vanadium Steel Hand Taps … Continue reading →

Posted in Threading | Leave a comment

Engraving with the Mill

Posted on November 10, 2012 by dave49

In the previous post I showed the artwork for a logo in the form of a circular monogram. This is meant for use in electrochemical etching. After making this artwork, it occurred to me that it might be simplified to … Continue reading →

Posted in Engraving/Marking | 2 Comments

Logo

Posted on November 6, 2012 by dave49

This is another post on the problem of marking my reels. In the spirit of “divide and conquer”, I have decided to put just the initials “NB” on the external screw head, and the sequence number somewhere inside the reel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Engraving/Marking | 2 Comments

Number Punches

Posted on October 28, 2012 by dave49

This post is about another attempt to make identification marks on my reels. Number punches are often used to mark a serial number on equipment nameplates. The resulting characters are usually readable but not very neat; the punch is not … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh Etch

Posted on October 27, 2012 by dave49

I like to put some identifying marks on my reels, typically the letters “NB” (for North Branch) and a two digit sequence number. In the past, I have taken a group of rear bearing caps to a jeweler’s shop and … Continue reading →

Posted in Engraving/Marking | 5 Comments

Plan Set for Fixed Spindle Reel

Posted on October 23, 2012 by dave49

Soon available at The Eclectic Angler is my new plan set for two sizes of the Fixed Spindle Reel. Update 27 Nov 2014: Sales of this plan set have been moved from The Eclectic Angler to Reel Lines Press. The … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reels, Plans | Leave a comment

Fixtures for the Fixed Spindle Reel

Posted on October 10, 2012 by dave49

These are the fixtures and modified tools that I use to make the Fixed Pillar Reel. Like yesterday’s post , this one supports an upcoming plan set. There is nothing new here, I have just brought it all together in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alignment, Fixtures, Tools, Work Holding | Leave a comment