Author Archives: dave49

Progress Report #4

Posted on January 10, 2012 by dave49

I have a substantial part of the machining done on two reels that I expect to deliver at the end of January. The spool ends here have been tumbled and will brighten up with fine sanding. The end plates are … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reels | Leave a comment

Plans for Aluminum Frame Reel

Posted on December 30, 2011 by dave49

I have been machining parts for the Aluminum Frame Reel from a few finished drawings, but mostly from sketches on yellow lined paper. It is time to put together all the drawings, so next year I can still figure out … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reels, Plans | 7 Comments

Toolmaker’s Clamps

Posted on December 22, 2011 by dave49

A friend gave me this pair of clamps. They were made by Brown & Sharpe, perhaps 1950s or so, and have the part number 754-A-5/8. I believe the 5/8 in the part number indicates 5/8 inch jaw depth. The bars … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Progress Report #3

Posted on December 17, 2011 by dave49

Two reels finished and ready to ship. Reels 17 and 18. Here is the final configuration of the click. And a meager assortment of parts for the next two.

Posted in My Reels | 1 Comment

Sherlock Holmes, Metallurgist

Posted on December 15, 2011 by dave49

Recently I anodized two reels. All end plates and pillars (6061 aluminum) look right. The feet (7075 aluminum) look right. Of the 20 screws (all 7075 aluminum), 14 look right but 6 of them are dark and dingy. What happened? … Continue reading →

Posted in Anodizing/Plating, Materials | 5 Comments

Knobs

Posted on December 13, 2011 by dave49

I am getting down to the final details on the first two reels of my winter 2011-12 production. This week I am making knobs of a variety of materials. This is “Alternative Ivory”, a plastic substitute for the real thing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Knob, Materials | 1 Comment

Second Expanding Mandrel

Posted on December 6, 2011 by dave49

When I prototyped my aluminum frame reel (blog post of 10 Aug 2011), I fastened the rear bearing cap with two small screws. For the “production” reels, I did not want protruding screw heads, and so decided to secure the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bearing Cap, Fixtures, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Pflueger Hawkeye

Posted on December 3, 2011 by dave49

This is another one of Steve’s reels. It has rubber sideplates and nickel silver rings. It is small, only 2.5 inch ring diameter and 0.88 between rings. He has it fitted with a WF3F but no backing, and says that … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Reels | 3 Comments

Bonding Fixture

Posted on November 23, 2011 by dave49

The Delrin assembly on the left is a fixture that holds the spool ends square on the shaft while Loctite 609 adhesive sets up. The ends fit a bit loose (0.001-0.002) on the shaft because there has to be some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonding, Fixtures, Spool | Leave a comment

Starting a Threading Die

Posted on November 18, 2011 by dave49

I am finishing end plates, and that involves a lot of tedious hand work and a lot of waiting for the tumbler to do its job. There is a feeling that no progress is being made. So as a remedy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, Screw | 6 Comments