Author Archives: dave49

“Power Fibers” Article

Posted on April 26, 2011 by dave49

Power Fibers is an on-line magazine of interest to bamboo rod builders. The April 2011 issue just came out, and you can download the .pdf file here. I mention this because I authored one of the articles, “Small Machine Tools … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles | Leave a comment

Spool Capacity

Posted on April 23, 2011 by dave49

When I designed my first reels, I intended to accomodate 5 weight lines. I set the spool capacity from measurements of some other reel, now forgotten. So yesterday I made some measurements on the line that I installed on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Line/Knots, Spool | Leave a comment

Pawl Wear Test, Higher Speed

Posted on April 13, 2011 by dave49

My original pawl wear test (post of Nov. 16, 2010 ) used a gearmotor that ran at 20 rpm.  The wear pattern on a pawl showed an impression on the flank of the pawl where each ratchet tooth initially made contact, … Continue reading →

Posted in Pawl, Testing | 3 Comments

Alternative Pawl Design

Posted on April 11, 2011 by dave49

Some months ago, the pawl arrangement used by Brent came to my attention . Brent (eotr) is a prolific creator of new reel designs and a regular contributor to Rod and Reel Maker’s Forum.  He is also a very helpful guy. His configuration uses … Continue reading →

Posted in Click, Pawl | Leave a comment

Reel Bags

Posted on April 7, 2011 by dave49

I have just made bags for the group of reels. Got an antelope hide through Ebay; it was nice and soft. Then my close acquaintance who sews was able to cut the pattern and sew 2 sides of the clingy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bags | 2 Comments

Two Reels Finished

Posted on March 22, 2011 by dave49

I reduced the anodizing current, so now it is taking 14 hours to plate the parts for 1 reel (7 runs @ 2 hours). Finally got enough parts done to assemble two reels. These two have identical spools, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reels | 3 Comments

Anodizing Problem

Posted on March 6, 2011 by dave49

I have machined and sanded all the aluminum parts for 5 reels, but have been putting off the anodize process. It’s boring, 1 hour per part, 7 parts per reel. Today I finally started. The first part, an S-crank, came … Continue reading →

Posted in Anodizing/Plating | 4 Comments

Metal Finishing

Posted on March 3, 2011 by dave49

When I made my first reel, I used wet/dry sandpaper to remove tool marks on the aluminum parts. On lathe parts such as rings and spool ends, I started with 320 grit and progressed through 600 and 1200 and ended … Continue reading →

Posted in Abrading, Process | Leave a comment

Raised Pillar Frame

Posted on February 3, 2011 by dave49

For my 5 reel group, all parts have been machined for 4 reels. These have round rings and side plates, as shown in the photo that is presently the header of this blog. For the 5th reel, I wanted to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Frame, Reel Parts | 1 Comment

Progress Report #1

Posted on January 13, 2011 by dave49

I am working on a group of 5 reels, and have enough parts done to dry fit them. Here is an illustration. Still have to make 2 nickel silver parts (crank screw, click end bearing cap) and the wire pawl … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reels | 2 Comments