First Reel & some notes

[Amabilis]

Thank you Michael for this great forum. We are very fortunate that you are willing to share your knowledge. I always wanted to do this but didn't know where to start !

A few photos of my first reel and some notes on what I did:
Screw heads and pillars left unpolished ( just sanded ) so they have a matt finish for a little contrast. Added a counterbalance opposite the handle. Handle made from a hex section of bamboo. Mounted the reel foot via two small pillars as someone else on the list did. The most difficulty I had was making the reel foot so that it would fit well with all the diffetent reel seats and hardware that I make for my rods. After making two from brass tube sections which worked on some but not all reel seats my third attempt which worked the best was a single piece reel foot.

I didn't take any photos as I went but did take a lot of notes. As soon as I can get them organized I'll post some comments about my experience, the few problems that I had along the way, and a few suggestions and tips for the book.

This is really exciting... Just about as much as when I started making bamboo rods ! Can't wait to start another one and try some different things. I am also looking forward to eventually try to do a click pawl.

- Amabilis

[fishketcha]

Amabilis,

Very nice Sir. I like the idea of the counterbalance, I love the bamboo handle and how many hours do you have polishing????? Great job all around. That's a cool little stick you have there also. Have I seen that on another rodmakers forum? Did you make the rod?

Wayne

[eclecticguy]

Very nice job! I love the counterbalance and bamboo handle. Your polishing job looks first rate. Did you do that by hand or wiht a polishing wheel?

You are the 4th inductee to The Reelsmith's Primer Challenge! Congratulations!

Please do share your experiences and suggestions for the book. It will benefit everyone.

cheers,
Michael

[Amabilis]

Thanks guys for the comments.
I did spend quite a while in the finishing and polishing. Sanded with 360 up to 1500 grit then polished extensively with a buffing wheel charged with ( I think ) jewelers rouge. Final polishing with Brasso.
The rod I have it mounted on in the photo was my first attempt at a mortised reel seat. I haven't shown it on any other forums. You may have seen it on my website if you've been there. http://www.amabilisrods.com.
Still working on getting my notes together to post and have already started another reel which will be smaller (2.5") which I'll use on one of my two or three weights.
Randy - aka Amabilis

[432taylor]

real nice web site to go along with that wonderfull reel realy nice work
richard westerfield

[fishketcha]

Randy,

I have been toying with the idea of a smaller or lighter reel for my little rods also...I was leaning towards the same size reel but much narrower. That way, Micheal has already laid out a nice design, just need to shorten the pillars and hub. How do you think that would work?

Wayne

[eclecticguy]

That should work fine Wayne. I've made a few smaller reels of this same design doing exactly what you describe. 2 1/2" works great with a 7/8" pillar length. Also, reduce the width of the front ring so it is barely wider than the screw heads. It looks too heavy if you don't. You could also go with 1/8" diameter pillars and use 2-56 screws. That's actually what I did. I had 2500 oval head 2-56 x 3/4" screws made earlier this year for my production reels. I'd be happy to shoot some your way. Also, consider use 0.040 gauge brass (especially if ou use the oval heads - they require countersinking a bit).

The friction drag is perfect for these smaller reels.

Cheers,
Michael

[eclecticguy]

I forgot to mention, one easy way to get started with a smaller (or larger) reel using this design is to scale the drawings. Basically, you print the PDF files using your printer driver's Scale function. To determine the scale factor, divide your desired reel diameter by 3" and multiply by 100. So, for a 2.5" reel you get:

scale factor = 2.5/3 * 100 = 83%

You can scale up the same way. When you print, select the Scale option and enter 83%. Then print the drawings. You can double check the prints by measuring the diameter of the frame front disk.

Be careful with the decorative holes on the spool and back frame disks. You should measure the diameters on the print out (or calculate the diameters by multiplying the scale factor (.83) by the hole diameter. If you used the size of the drills printed on the drawing, they may be too large or actually cut in to each other.

cheers,
Michael

[fishketcha]

Thank you Michael. I will do just that. Don't tell anyone, I had a scull cramp and probably saved me some time.

Wayne

[landrodz?]

How did you make the counter balance?