Author Archives: dave49

Bronze Frame Reel – Rear End Plate

Posted on January 29, 2017 by dave49

The rear end plate has many details. I have been making this from C544 bronze rod, but c360 brass flat bar could also be used. For the 3 weight reel, the ratchet gear is too small diameter to allow a … Continue reading →

Posted in End Plate, Plans | Leave a comment

Bronze Frame Reel – Front End Ring

Posted on January 26, 2017 by dave49

The North Branch Reels metal shop is not yet back in operation after its relocation from Michigan to New Mexico. I have unpacked almost all the moving boxes and built two new workbenches. Here you see the mill on one … Continue reading →

Posted in Plans, Ring | 4 Comments

The K’Nex Furling Machine

Posted on January 9, 2017 by dave49

I have fished furled leaders for several years now. At first I made them by twisting with an electric drill: Furled Leader Later, I made a hand cranked furling fixture: https://northbranchreels.com/2014/07/31/furling-machine/ A week or so ago I was contacted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Line/Knots | Leave a comment

Jemez River Reels?

Posted on November 17, 2016 by dave49

I haven’t written any blog posts for some time now. It is because I have been busy packing and moving to New Mexico. The motivation is better weather. So reelmaking operations now have to fit into the 0.5 car space … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

A Foot Fixture for the Lathe

Posted on July 24, 2016 by dave49

Since starting this hobby in 2010, I have built about 50 reels. For every one of these, I shaped the top of the reel foot with a vertical mill using this rotary table fixture. This is a labor intensive process … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Foot, Turning | Leave a comment

Wire Bending

Posted on June 13, 2016 by dave49

Here is the latest variation on my reel click design. I have used this basic pattern for a long time. The spring is a round wire and the pawl has a groove that acts as a cam against it. Click … Continue reading →

Posted in Forming, Spring | Leave a comment

Engraved Reels

Posted on April 19, 2016 by dave49

My engraver is now operational; here are the first reels. This is the same bronze frame design I have made for more than 2 years, but with some porting holes left out to make room for lettering. This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Engraving/Marking, My Reels | Leave a comment

Collet Grip

Posted on April 9, 2016 by dave49

I have one more problem to solve before my CNC engraver is operational. It is that end mills come loose in the spindle. This is the spindle, it is 1.2 inch diameter and uses a “WW” collet (0.125 inch bore). … Continue reading →

Posted in Engraving/Marking, Milling | 10 Comments

Bushing/Clicker Wheel

Posted on April 7, 2016 by dave49

For several months I have been building an engraving mill and not producing any reels. So now I am back on reels, and have to re-familiarize myself with the processes. At the center of the reel is a critical part … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushing, Ratchet/Gear, Thrust Bearing | Leave a comment

More of Greg’s Reels

Posted on March 17, 2016 by dave49

Greg is an Ohio based bamboo rod maker. In November 2014 I posted pictures of two reels that he made from my plan set (eclecticangler.com). Greg is now seriously into reel production, using CNC to assist on the more complicated … Continue reading →

Posted in CNC, Reels by Readers | 6 Comments