A fun exercise in Reel Making

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john elder
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A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by john elder »

Awhile ago, Jim Schottenham challenged me with trying to invent some sort of wooden side mount reel, roughly based on some examples he had seen. After stewing a bit, I gravitated back to my two favorite materials for the project, cocobolo and brass. Both materials are very amenable to lathe work and a pleasure to use....as long as you aren't allergic to the rosewood family!

This is what I ended up with after some trial and error. There are a few things I'd change in future efforts, but it does the few things asked of it:



I took a bunch of pics along the way, but won't bore you with all of it. Basically, the missions were to drill out the wood blank and turn the wood without getting a lot of tear-out from the decorative aeration holes; then figure out a stand, clicker and line guide that were simple and practical enough to make something that would catch more than Shelf Fish without falling apart. It remains to be determined if I was successful at that! Here are the final bits:



The grasp is turned from hard rubber, mounted on a brass post that is press-fit into the faceplate.
RAM
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by RAM »

Beautiful work Deke! By the way, what do you do in your spare time ? Go to the office?

Bad Bob
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Jim Schottenham
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Jim Schottenham »

In a word......Awesome!!! :bow: :bow: :bow:
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Robin Sayler
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Robin Sayler »

Looks Great!
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Midway Tommy D
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Midway Tommy D »

WOW! Beautiful, John!
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john elder
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by john elder »

thanks much, Guys! I look at the final product and wonder what took so long! I think maybe the second one would take about 10% the time and effort, if I could manage to do it without changing 20 things...yeah, right....like that would happen!
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Brian F.
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Brian F. »

RAM wrote:Beautiful work Deke! By the way, what do you do in your spare time ? Go to the office?

Bad Bob
Haha, This ^^^^^, Bob! But I agree with everyone here, outstanding!
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Wayne B.
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Wayne B. »

Nice work, John!
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54bullseye
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by 54bullseye »

I would like to put an order in for a well built 20/0 cradle with rod !!! Maker: John Elder About how long will that be ??
Teal
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Teal »

Just an amazing piece. You're an incredible craftsman John. Amazing stuff.

-- Dr. Todd
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Jonathan P. Kring
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Jonathan P. Kring »

Some got it, most of us don't. I'm still working on lures and key rings out of golf balls and not good at either Nice reel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Deepfins791
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Deepfins791 »

I'm in line behind John. One 20/0 cradle, two-speed, if not too much trouble! Reminds me that I couldn't whittle a hotdog stick.
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Jim Schottenham
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Jim Schottenham »

Those asking for that 20/0 reel may not know of the reel John built back in 2001 - one that appeared on the cover of the Reel News, and was the choice of then editor Phil White to be the 7th recipient of the Reel Award. Though not quite a 20/0, it wasn't far off - he built a wooden 14/0 Penn reel!!

Back issues including this one are for sale in the ORCA store - order your copy today!
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Brian F.
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Brian F. »

Don't forget this little gem of a 14/0 Kovalovsky from 2010:

Image
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Mike N
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Mike N »

Wow, John. That is great craftsmanship and very cool.
Jay White
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Jay White »

Very Nice!!
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john elder
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by john elder »

Thanks again, guys....thought I was done, then got possessed with the notion that it needed a box...so, made one using Wenge....I'm quitting before I think it needs a CD player :shock:


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Jonathan P. Kring
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Jonathan P. Kring »

Nicely done.
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Tom R
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Re: A fun exercise in Reel Making

Post by Tom R »

Very, very impressive work, John.
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