I have spent quite some time thinking about this and reading various posts here. In the end I put to use both my experience as an N Gauge railway modeller and my girlfriend’s as a musician. I hope the results are of interest.
So, this is the reel:
As a railway modeller, I’m used to working with sheets of cork for things like underlay and track beds (it reduces vibration and noise). So, I had some 2mm thick cork sheet a foot wide. Rather than measuring the width and circumference of the spool, I decided to make 2 card templates out of modelling sheet (a type of flexible polystyrene sheet of varying thicknesses used to make terrain and walls), trimming it until is was a tight fit. I had considered using this for the arbor but didn’t like the stark white appearance and gluing would have been a problem.
Templates made, I used a craft knife to cut 2 pieces of arbor from the cork sheet:
I had decided to make two arbor pieces and glue them together with an overlap, a method I have used before, then gluing the arbor in place using the overlap at either end as the fixing point. I hoped that this would avoid any lump and ensure a better fit. Now, my girlfriend plays the clarinet and mentioned that the cork I use is exactly the same as that used to line the joint in a clarinet. This needs changing regularly and the glue most often used apparently is Evo-Stik Impact. Allowing both instant fixing and excellent damp resistance. So, Evo-Stik Impact it was. This is the two halves glued together:
Gluing the arbor in place was where the impact adhesive realy came good. After a bit of experimentation, I decided to fit the arbor to the reel and only then apply the adhesive to the two ends being careful to position the ends over a line-lay. 5 minutes later, a firm press and the job was done.
I’ve tried to show how the arbor looks and the small gap left after gluing. Being only 4mm thick and very flexible, the cork arbour doesn’t eliminate the impression of the line-lays but rather smooths them out in a way which I think will work. The chief downside is that, now the two ends are glued together, taking it off with destroy it. However, it was only 2 hours work and very relaxing. I shall re-load with line and give it a field testing as soon as I can.
If it works, next on the list are a Speedia and then possibly an Avon Royal Supreme. I’d be very interested in people’s opinions and, above all, if readers can see any downsides to this solution.
