Reel seat inserts (spacers)

[Mike Hill]

Kinda like the tarnished look. Would be sorta like the - I think Winston made them or maybe Bellinger - the titanium seats - sorta smokey looking. I think there are some "dark nickel" finished ones available now that would be similar. Used to tarnish - we eat with silver tableware, and my wife used to buy and sell a lot of silver/sterling and has quite the number of silver trophies as a collection. My only concerns with the sterling would be whether it would be too soft and how to make the threads. All I have is a small Sherline lathe - not even sure it has thread-cutting capabilities - probably doesn't. I think I've got some square wire I could curl and solder on.

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

Kinda like the tarnished look. Would be sorta like the - I think Winston made them or maybe Bellinger - the titanium seats - sorta smokey looking. I think there are some "dark nickel" finished ones available now that would be similar. Used to tarnish - we eat with silver tableware, and my wife used to buy and sell a lot of silver/sterling and has quite the number of silver trophies as a collection. My only concerns with the sterling would be whether it would be too soft and how to make the threads. All I have is a small Sherline lathe - not even sure it has thread-cutting capabilities - probably doesn't. I think I've got some square wire I could curl and solder on.

Sterling usually isn't too hard to shape. Have you thought of using existing steel threaded parts to shape the silver parts? I would guess you have a few standard rods you could use for patterning.

 

[DLJeffs]

Or.... just make a nice butt cap, winding check and one slip ring (or just make two slip rings with a nice butt cap and winding check). Use a fingernail bit to make the shaped- dado in the wood insert. Most lighter weight rods use slip rings anyway and you wouldn't have to mess with threads. If you were careful and had silver that had a design in it, you might even be able to retain the design on the rings.

 

[Mike Hill]

'xactly!!

 

[DLJeffs]

Just putting this here for future reference. This is what I have left for reel seat inserts I've already turned. Oops, correction, the top row were turned by a wood turner in Australia back in the 90's when we lived there. Dimensionally they aren't as exact as the bottom row, which I turned on my metal lathe. And the top row is NOT stabilized and most have a lacquer finish applied. They still work, even if needing minor sanding. Just wanted to be clear. The bottom row I turned and are all stabilized with Cactus Juice. If someone decides to build a fly rod and is interested in a reel seat insert, left me know. I may hold on to one or two but I probably won't be using these as I haven't made any new fly rods in a couple years now.

 

[SENC]

Some great looking reel seats!!!

 

[Mike Hill]

Can't find those at your local MudHole!

 

[Gdurfey]

Just putting this here for future reference. This is what I have left for reel seat inserts I've already turned. Oops, correction, the top row were turned by a wood turner in Australia back in the 90's when we lived there. Dimensionally they aren't as exact as the bottom row, which I turned on my metal lathe. And the top row is NOT stabilized and most have a lacquer finish applied. They still work, even if needing minor sanding. Just wanted to be clear. The bottom row I turned and are all stabilized with Cactus Juice. If someone decides to build a fly rod and is interested in a reel seat insert, left me know. I may hold on to one or two but I probably won't be using these as I haven't made any new fly rods in a couple years now.

View attachment 272238

Sorry I missed this Doug…..give me a minute to catch up.

 

[Gdurfey]

What can I offer for the ones you are ready to part. The fly fishing club out here has a rod building class that I am signing up for. I have built one rod but have at least 2 blanks to build, maybe more. They have been packed up for way too long. But I would like to offer these other guys possible shot at a few of these.

 

[DLJeffs]

Sorry, missed this post yesterday Garry. I'd be happy to send you 4 or 5 of these. I don't need anything in return, unless you or someone can get access to one of these. It's essentially a three fold "book" you use to make dubbing loops for streamer patterns. I think they're made in Argentina and marketed by a company called Puro Fly. I tried to email them and got no response. I'm toying with the idea of making my own with some 1/16" acrylic and some clear scotch packing tape.

https://purofly.com.ar/493-xa-book-tool.html