Category Archives: Reels

Presentation Reels

Posted on July 22, 2022 by dave49

These are engraved reels that I made for a friend from High School days, to be presents for companions at an annual outing. Frames are bronze, spools are aluminum with electroless nickel plating.

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More on Powder Coating

Posted on January 21, 2022 by dave49

Terry continues to powder coat his reels. I have not used the process, so the following text is his note: “Powder coating has not been a hard process to master. In fact it is really pretty simple. The most important … Continue reading →

Posted in Anodizing/Plating, Reels by Readers | 2 Comments

Brass S-Crank

Posted on December 1, 2021 by dave49

This reel, serial number 72, will probably be a one-off. I have given up trying to make batches of reels to sell. It is 3 inches across pillars. Because it is mostly brass it is heavy, 7-1/8 ounce. Only the … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reels | 4 Comments

Terry’s Reel #6

Posted on March 26, 2021 by dave49

This is my friend Terry’s most recent reel project. The intended use is steelhead and salmon fishing with heavy tippets. Photo of the finished reel. This reel is 3.75 inch in diameter and is patterned after a Hardy Marquis #9, … Continue reading →

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Reel #4 by Terry, Trout Size

Posted on December 3, 2020 by dave49

Another reel by Terry from Idaho. He has been busy designing and making one-off reels for his own use. I think this one is just slightly larger than his first reel. Pictures and captions below by Terry. Here a 1-1/4” … Continue reading →

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A Salmon Reel

Posted on October 13, 2020 by dave49

This is the work of my friend Terry, for whom I have shown two other designs. It is a 4.5 inch diameter reel for “big game”. Terry has several decades of experience with salmon fishing including regular visits to Alaska … Continue reading →

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Terry’s Second Reel

Posted on September 5, 2020 by dave49

Terry is bamboo rod maker in Idaho. In June I posted pictures of his first reel. Now he has produced a 2.25 inch diameter reel for a 5 foot bamboo rod. This is about as simple and straightforward as a … Continue reading →

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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

Terry’s First Reel

Posted on June 5, 2020 by dave49

Terry is an active bamboo rodmaker, now from Idaho but with background in Michigan. I met him once at the RKP rod shop. He has equipped himself with Grizzly mill and lathe and is starting out on reels. This is … Continue reading →

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Inefficient Use of Material

Posted on December 6, 2018 by dave49

I am starting a reel with a winding plate, similar to a “Perfect”. Here are the aluminum parts. Left: spool, 25 grams from a 233 gram blank (10.7%). Right: frame, 42 grams from a 391 gram blank (also 10.7%).

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