Author Archives: dave49

Chuck Spider

Posted on July 1, 2020 by dave49

I finally sold my Sherline lathe, my first machine tool. I could do this because I have made enough upgrades and fixtures for my newer minilathe to produce all reel parts with just it and my mill. The last consideration … Continue reading →

Posted in Ring, Turning, Work Holding | Leave a comment

A “Perfect” Reel Configuration

Posted on June 13, 2020 by dave49

An iconic reel design is the Hardy Perfect. I have never had one in hand to photograph but I did borrow a Hardy Bougle from a friend, and it is the same thing except that the frame is raised pillar … Continue reading →

Posted in Frame, My Reels, Plans, Spool | 4 Comments

Threading with the Minilathe

Posted on June 11, 2020 by dave49

I have had reason to single-point some threads recently. This was motivation to further improve my Minilathe so that threading is easier. First, the spindle that carries the intermmediate cluster gear needs a brass shim (oblong) to bring the two … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Terry’s First Reel

Posted on June 5, 2020 by dave49

Terry is an active bamboo rodmaker, now from Idaho but with background in Michigan. I met him once at the RKP rod shop. He has equipped himself with Grizzly mill and lathe and is starting out on reels. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Reels by Readers | Leave a comment

Internal Grooving

Posted on June 1, 2020 by dave49

When I first got a lathe, I bought a group of randomly selected turning tools from the auction site. These two were a mystery to me and I never tried to use them. This morning I was browsing through Youtube … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, Turning | Leave a comment

Lathe Bit Grinding, Redone

Posted on April 29, 2020 by dave49

I posted the article “Lathe Bit Grinding” on 1 July 2013. Since then I have arrived at a better scheme, as described here. Bit grinding is somewhat an art and you will find many alternative styles of lathe bit. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, Turning | 2 Comments

Alaska 2019

Posted on June 24, 2019 by dave49

Last summer, we had a good partial day of fishing on a creek near Juneau. We decided to make a longer trip this year, and so went to a fly-in lodge northwest of Anchorage. The trip was by float plane. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fishing | 1 Comment

Power Hacksaw

Posted on June 1, 2019 by dave49

Before milling or turning, stock typically needs to be cut to length. My first tool for this task was a handheld power bandsaw lashed to a plywood frame. This worked quite well, and is still functional. The reason that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting | 1 Comment

Inefficient Use of Material

Posted on December 6, 2018 by dave49

I am starting a reel with a winding plate, similar to a “Perfect”. Here are the aluminum parts. Left: spool, 25 grams from a 233 gram blank (10.7%). Right: frame, 42 grams from a 391 gram blank (also 10.7%).

Posted in My Reels | Leave a comment

Faceplate for Minilathe

Posted on October 9, 2018 by dave49

I was working on a new reel design, and realized that several operations would best be done with the parts clamped to a faceplate. The problem, however, is that on my Minilathe, the carriage cannot travel far enough left to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Turning, Work Holding | 2 Comments