My first hand-made fly reel

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:49 am

I've started making reels in brass using nothing but an electric drill and drill press along with files, a couple of taps, vice, and sandpaper. These are similar to the reels John Betts shows in his book "Making Strip-Built Fly Rods from Various Woods on a Lathe". These reels are very simple - mine has only a friction drag. I am planning to use my horse hair fly line on a wooden strip built rod for a 100% hand-made fly fishing outfit. I will be posting a complete how-to on my blog (http://eclecticguy.com/2009/06/03/handm ... hing-reel/) and here if there is any interest. However, I did want to show a few preliminary photos to whet your appetite!

This is a light trout reel, it is only 3" in diameter. The reel is complete and functional and ready to fish:

Front View - I used an 8 hole pattern in 2 rows - simple but nice looking I think. You can also see the new shape for the handle. Much more comfortable than the simple cylindrical handle I made originally. Amboyna Burl and brass are made for each other!

Back View - I kept the same hole pattern on the backplate.

Side View - you can see the spool assembly and reel foot. The foot is really attractive and will work in modern reel seat hardware that is not milled (slot for reel foot).

Bottom View - shows a close-up of the reel foot and mounting bracket. Also shows a nice profile of the handle.

I think I want to put more coats of Tung Oil on the handle to shine it up a bit more. It is smooth as silk.

My next step is a similar reel but with a clicker-pawl drag. It will have a little more Amboyna Burl on it too. I am also writing the instructions on how to make one of these.

cheers,
Michael

Post by **john elder** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:26 am

Fantastic, Michael! You gotta love brass...easy to work, available, and really pretty. I'm sure that will fish fine, as well! Wood is pretty for making reels, but they are mostly lookers and not users, unless you just use the wood as accent to a metal frame. you have to make things too thick to give the needed stability and then you lose in the weight and esthetics departments...brass is great compromise!

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:34 am

Thanks John. I also like nickel silver. I am working on a reel with it now. Works sort of like brass (since it is basically white brass). It will look goow with ebony and other dark woods.

My new design with a pawl drag system has a "sandwich" on the backplate made of a metal disk, a wood ring/ spacer, and a metal ring (donut). I can adjust the thickness of the wood ring to create a pocket for the drag mechanism and since the wood is both thin and sandwiched between metal, is stable. I could do the same thing on the frontplate for aesthetics.

Drilling brass is still my challenge. I did get some slow spiral bits designed for brass but the holes are still not round. Any tips on drilling reasonably round holes in brass?

cheers,
Michael

Post by **john elder** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:48 am

I sandwich it tightly between two pieces of hardwood, then drill through everything when I make the holes...just need to get on register and stay there throughout the process. Haven't done it in awhile, but I believe you can get away with sticking it down with double-sided tape...the kind you can get from Rockler that's strong enough for faceplate turning. Once the center hole is defined, you can transfer the pattern to the top piece of wood and drill away. the sandwich prevents bending, as well as cuts down on burrs.

Don Champion · Post by **Don Champion** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:00 am

Mike,
You can also sandwich several pieces of metal to help keep your holes round. You can also drill "locater" holes with a centerdrill and then drill with the drill you wish to use. If using the latter, grind a small flat on the leading edges of your drill bit. This helps keep the hole round and also helps keep the drill from pulling itself through. Brass should be drilled without a lubricant.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:08 pm

If you have a source for small quantities of German silver, please share. I'm looking for some 1" and 3" round bar.

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:23 pm

Jason, I am not aware of anyone that sells nickel silver bar stock in those dimensions. Several companies carry nickel silver sheet and small round bar (1/4"). I am looking for nickel silver tubing to make ferrules but have not been successful. OnlineMetals.com carries the sheet.

cheers,
Michael

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:36 am

Jason wrote:If you have a source for small quantities of German silver, please share. I'm looking for some 1" and 3" round bar.

If you haven't done so, look at companies that sell custom knife maker supplies. I used to buy flat and round stock from these suppliers. However, problems were arising due to the government wanting to outlaw "German silver". I can't remember exactly why.

Maybe Ron Mc can tell you where to get nickle silver stock.

chrisham61 · Post by **chrisham61** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:32 pm

awsome looking reel

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:46 pm

Thanks Chris. Version 2 is close to completion. It has a "reel" drag system yet is simple to construct. More Amboyna Burl on it too.

Reel Geezer, I have looked at some of the knife building supply places. They do carry sheets that are not unreasonable and 3/16 and 1/4" rod - but that is about as large as they go. I'm new here, who is Ron Mc? I would like to find some good sources!

cheers,
Michael

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:43 am

This is a really, really neat project and I thank you for sharing it with us. I bet if fishes beautifully!

-- Dr. Todd

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:45 am

Thanks Teal. It does fish beautifully - but I am a bit biased!

cheers,
Michael