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Category Archives: Reel Parts
Bronze Frame Reel – Spool
Recently I have been making spools from a single piece of aluminum, even though it takes a lot of time to remove all the waste material. An advantage of using aluminum is its light weight, and the most significant aspect … Continue reading
Posted in Plans, Spool
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Bronze Frame Reel – Spindle
I make spindles from stainless shaft material that is already ground to a fine finish. It is important that this part screws all the way into the Rear End Plate. There is a thread relief counterbore in the plate, but … Continue reading
Posted in Plans, Screw, Spindle
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Bronze Frame Reel – Pillars and Screws
I have been making pillars from nickel silver. The two pillars that fasten to the foot have cross drilled holes that are off center. This helps balance the Front End Ring with the heavier Rear End Plate. I buy 18% … Continue reading
Posted in Frame, Plans, Screw
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Bronze Frame Reel – Foot
The foot is made mainly by milling operations. The challenge is sequencing these operations so that the part can be clamped. Only recently did I figure out how to cut the top surface with my lathe. Earlier posts on the … Continue reading
Posted in Foot, Plans
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Bronze Frame Reel – Rear End Plate
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
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Bronze Frame Reel – Front End Ring
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
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A Foot Fixture for the Lathe
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
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Wire Bending
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
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Bushing/Clicker Wheel
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
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A Bullet Shaped Knob
This is the knob shape that I have adopted for recent reel designs. The profile is a concave curve. I like the appearance, and it provides a positive grip. Last night I was talking to a prospective customer and the … Continue reading