Category Archives: Reel Parts

Expanding Mandrel

Posted on October 16, 2011 by dave49

I machine my spool ends (vs. spinning or forming) and it is something of a problem to hold them so that all surfaces can be cut. On seven reels to date, I have clamped the 0.75 diameter back side hub … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Spool End, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Shaft

Posted on October 13, 2011 by dave49

I have been trying to make the rather complex end plates for my aluminum frame reels (blog entry of 10 Aug 2011), but having serial failures. So I decided to take a break and make some really straightforward parts, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alignment, Reel Parts, Shaft | Leave a comment

Sole of the Foot

Posted on September 25, 2011 by dave49

The AFFTA standard for fly reel feet calls for a 0.350 radius on the bottom. It seems strange that they chose this decimal fraction of an inch; why not 11/32 so the radius can be cut with an 11/16 ball … Continue reading →

Posted in Abrading, Foot | 5 Comments

7075 Aluminum

Posted on September 21, 2011 by dave49

The most widely available aluminum alloy for home craftsmen is 6061. I have been using 6061 for many of my reel components. But when I decided that I should make (vs. buy) aluminum screws, I chose alloy 7075 to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Foot, Materials | Leave a comment

Pawl Testing at Higher Speed

Posted on August 23, 2011 by dave49

This is the seventh posting in this blog on durability testing of ratchet and pawl materials. Previous posting are: 1. Picture of tester based on a “gearmotor”, 25 rpm (30 May 2010) 2. First results from tester (22 Aug 2010) … Continue reading →

Posted in Click, Pawl, Testing | 6 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 →

Posted in Frame | Leave a comment

Using the Foot Fixture

Posted on May 28, 2011 by dave49

This post is of interest to anyone who bought my plan set at The Eclectic Angler, and will be making the foot fixture of drawing 1015. I started to use the fixture this morning and went through a “deja vu” … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixtures, Foot, Milling, Work Holding | Leave a comment

Raised Pillar Rings, all over again

Posted on May 9, 2011 by dave49

On Feb. 3, 2011 I made a post on the fabrication of raised pillar rings. Now I am working on a new design that needs similar parts, and I am reminded of how demanding it is to get these right. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ring | Leave a comment

Two More Plastics for Pawls

Posted on May 7, 2011 by dave49

Someone brought Ertalyte and Ertalyte TX to my attention as possible materials for pawls. The data sheet properties looked promising, so I bought a small quantity of each and made pawls. I tested these on the low speed tester, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Materials, Pawl, Testing | 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