Category Archives: Spool

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

One Piece Spool, Again

Posted on August 15, 2017 by dave49

This post is not so much about how to make a one piece spool (topic covered June 2013) as it is about a comparison of two types of metal lathe available to hobbyists. I now have both a MiniLathe (China … Continue reading →

Posted in Spool, Turning | Leave a comment

Bronze Frame Reel – Spool

Posted on February 12, 2017 by dave49

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 | Leave a comment

Spool Porting

Posted on February 13, 2015 by dave49

The “ports” are holes in the flanges of a spool, made to reduce weight and to provide ventilation for a wet fly line. Today I am using my rotary indexer to port a group of 5 spools. I am building … Continue reading →

Posted in Spool | 4 Comments

Reel 37 Spool

Posted on March 19, 2014 by dave49

On fixed spindle reels like this, the knob and its counterweight attach directly to one face of the spool. So I have made the face flange thick enough to accept 4-40 screw threads. A step-by-step pictorial on making this part … Continue reading →

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One Piece Spool

Posted on June 1, 2013 by dave49

For some time, I have been plotting how to make a one piece spool. My spools so far have been assemblies. The difficulty is the limited power and size of my Sherline lathe and mill. Recently I am developing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Milling, Spool, Turning | Leave a comment

Line Volume

Posted on May 10, 2013 by dave49

I have some friends who are interested in small reels. This fits well with my machining resources, as my lathe and mill are quite small (Sherline). So I am working on a new design that can be made in several … Continue reading →

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A Loss of Concentration

Posted on April 5, 2013 by dave49

This was to be the front spool end of a reel. The very last machining operation is to plunge mill 10 larger lightening holes. It is a repetitive operation; plunge, index 30 degrees, plunge again. But at this radius, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Spool End | 2 Comments

Spool Capacity Data

Posted on February 19, 2012 by dave49

I get a few questions about the line capacity of my reels. So I did a study to try to see how commercial reel manufacturers rate their reels. Many have ratings (line size + yards of backing) on their web … Continue reading →

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Bonding Fixture

Posted on November 23, 2011 by dave49

The Delrin assembly on the left is a fixture that holds the spool ends square on the shaft while Loctite 609 adhesive sets up. The ends fit a bit loose (0.001-0.002) on the shaft because there has to be some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonding, Fixtures, Spool | Leave a comment