Reel work stand

[xjchad]

I don't have room in our place to set up a work bench or a large tool box.  I have all my mechanic/construction tools in the garage, but they are not easily accessible.  I typically work on reels after the kids have gone to bed.  My wife will be reading or folding laundry on the couch and I will sit on the floor with an old t shirt spread out in front of me and have all my reel tools in an aluminum case from Harbor Freight opened up beside me.  Lately, I've been using a 18" x 24" cutting board as a makeshift table on the floor in front of me just to give me a more solid work surface.

I had an idea for a reel stand that I thought I'd try and I think it turned out pretty good.  Hopefully this will be a helpful idea for some of you as well.

I bought a reel seat off ebay and made the rest from scrap I had laying around.  The pictures can explain better than my words can.









The joint in the middle is so that I can swivel the reel in any direction I need to by loosening and tightening the wing nut.

I will mount this to my cutting board and I also plan on adding some short legs to the cutting board so that it can sit up over my lap when I'm sitting on the floor.

[xjchad]

All finished up.  Just need to use it now.

[1badf350]

Looks great Chad! Love the articulation capability

[Jason]

I like those custom wing nuts. That's a great idea.

[Wayne B.]

Great idea!!! Plan to make two...one for a freshwater stand and a saltwater. This stand takes the place of a third hand which you need once in a while.

[Skip]

That is slick! Very ingenious.

I use one of these vacuum base articulated vises for all kinds of stuff, cleaning and repairing reels and guns, modeling, painting fishing lures, etc.

I got this one at Harbor Freight.

[Skip]

For some reason I can't get the pic to post.

I'll try again here but if it doesn't post this time I'm giving up.

Here's a link to the vise at HF:

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-3-4-qua ... lated+vise

[xjchad]

That vise does indeed look very handy!
Thanks Skip!

[Skip]

That vise does indeed look very handy!
Thanks Skip!

It does need to be on a smooth surface for the vacuum base to work. I usually use it on a kitchen counter if I'm standing or the kitchen table if I'm sitting. I get best results when I wipe the table or counter and the bottom of the vise with a wet paper towel. I like mine so much I got one for my nephew as a gift.

If you shop at HF you know about their coupons. Coupons for 20% off one item (although some products aren't included) are almost always available and sometimes 25% off are. And there are always a bunch of other coupons, including some "free with purchase" coupons.

There is a site - hfcoupons.com - that has all the current coupons and it has a app for your phone. Since the ads are regional and the site is national you have access to coupons not published in your region.

[xjchad]

Thanks for the HF tips!

Also, that reel seat that I used is a "bow fishing" reel seat.
It already has a threaded insert in it.