Category Archives: Frame

Rear End Plate

Posted on October 9, 2012 by dave49

I have made prototypes of two sizes of my “Fixed Spindle Reel” (see post immediately preceding this one), and am now starting the first reel for a customer. Also, I have committed to deliver a plan set by the end … Continue reading →

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Aluminum Finishing

Posted on August 21, 2012 by dave49

By now I have made enough reel parts of aluminum to have established a routine procedure for finishing. My goal is to arrive at a finish that is uniform but not highly reflective. If the aluminum is shiny before anodizing, … Continue reading →

Posted in Abrading, Frame | Leave a comment

Front End Ring

Posted on July 12, 2012 by dave49

Since my new reel design has a fixed spindle, it requires a front end ring instead of a full front end plate. Here is the sequence of steps to produce a thin end ring for a raised pillar reel. Starting … Continue reading →

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

Dyed End Plates

Posted on May 9, 2012 by dave49

Having dyed some scrap metal parts (this blog, 23 April 2012), I moved on to some machined reel parts. On my first attempt, the result was not satisfactory. There were small but obvious flaws, like this spot on the rear … Continue reading →

Posted in Anodizing/Plating, End Plate, My Reels | 3 Comments

Progress Report #8 : Little Progress

Posted on March 20, 2012 by dave49

This is how far I got on the next two reels before I was rudely interrupted: Last Wednesday I set these front end plates down and left the house for an evening meeting. Just before walking out, I took the … Continue reading →

Posted in End Plate, My Reels | 3 Comments

Using the 4 Jaw Chuck as a Vise

Posted on February 7, 2012 by dave49

Sherline’s 4 jaw chuck was designed to fit on the lathe spindle, but can also be used on the vertical mill. This is very handy; when I make end plates for raised pillar reels I frequently move the work between … Continue reading →

Posted in End Plate, Fixtures, Work Holding | Leave a 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

Aluminum End Plates

Posted on November 12, 2011 by dave49

I have been having trouble making end plates for my “aluminum frame reel”, and had to scrap a couple of parts that were nearly finished. The problem was pillar lugs that were not symmetric. At 1.5 inch radius, an 0.1 … Continue reading →

Posted in End Plate, Milling | Leave a comment

Boring with the Lathe

Posted on November 2, 2011 by dave49

I have been making end plates for my “aluminum frame reel”. I start with a section of rectangular bar, round the corners for lathe clearance, then remove almost all the material with a roughing end mill. Then I make the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting, End Plate, Turning | 2 Comments

Aluminum Raised Pillar Frame

Posted on May 29, 2011 by dave49

At Classic Reels Forum I saw a reel by E. vom Hofe that I particularly liked, so I am using the photo as a general model for my next reel. Here is the aluminum frame, with parts tumbled in coarse … Continue reading →

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