Making an Aerial-Match

[Rutland Rod]

I read the words and see the pictures, but I still struggle to come to terms with what it means! As someone that has not the slightest gift for making or repairing anything, I marvel at what my friend Watermole + has achieved. I am sure that I am not alone in feeling that we are seeing a rare talent in action!

Your not alone LD, when I look at my simple speedia and Trudex I have a job understanding how they are even put together, putting new line on is a hard fiddly task for me !
Dave

[Lea Dweller]

I read the words and see the pictures, but I still struggle to come to terms with what it means! As someone that has not the slightest gift for making or repairing anything, I marvel at what my friend Watermole + has achieved. I am sure that I am not alone in feeling that we are seeing a rare talent in action!

Your not alone LD, when I look at my simple speedia and Trudex I have a job understanding how they are even put together, putting new line on is a hard fiddly task for me !
Dave

Dave, you have just made me feel better! I can manage to put new line on, with my wife holding the new spool of line and allowing it to rotate under a little tension, while I wind it onto the reel of choice, it works a treat!

[Barbelseeker]

Watermole+,
Having seen a reel seat fitted to a friends reel, I wondered how you achieved this and being a C.Eng, was going to ask how you had achieved this by hand/lathe - not believing it was not made by CNC. Having read through this posting, today, for the first time - I see how - I am envious of the skills and lateral thinking you employ to achieve the required outcomes. You are an inspiration for us all, to continually seek perfection in whatever we do. Cannot wait to see the finished product and further steps along the way.

Might I ask - have all the reels been allocated.

Best regards and happy turning.
PS - Engineering apprenticeship 1962-1966 - Myford and Capstans were the stock in our workshops. Remember 1 old guy used to sit on a deck chair working his Capstan, often getting the final cut correct by tapping his pipe on the cutting slide to cut that .0005" cut without touching the adjusting wheels.

[Leigh]

I live only a short distance from Watermole so occasionally pop into his workshop. Yesterday I called in after work to see the progression of this project the attention to detail in the handcrafted parts and the fine tolerances he works to will I'm sure to leave the owners of these centrepins very pleased. Not being an engineer myself I always walk away having learned something new.

Hopefully, I can watch and maybe be allowed to record the final assembly in the future.

[Lea Dweller]

I live only a short distance from Watermole so occasionally pop into his workshop. Yesterday I called in after work to see the progression of this project the attention to detail in the handcrafted parts and the fine tolerances he works to will I'm sure to leave the owners of these centrepins very pleased. Not being an engineer myself I always walk away having learned something new.

Hopefully, I can watch and maybe be allowed to record the final assembly in the future.

I agree with you Leigh, I always leave Watermole+ shaking my head at how much skill and vision he has developed and used when creating the wonderful range of items that have left his workshop. You are a lucky man living close, If I lived nearer I could happily watch him work for hours, it is so interesting!

[Watermole+]

..Just a quick update to let you know that things are still happening..

In between jobs, I have been making some of the many smaller detail parts necessary..unfortunately, did not take too many pictures along the way!

The major detail was making the locking-and friction forks that fit into the hub. I made about twenty sets but scrapped a few; however, I ended up with enough for all the reels to be made.

One of the very small parts is the little friction adjuster nut. These were made by cut-knurling a length of bar which was then turned, drilled and tapped. We ended up with these. They measure 1/4" diameter across the knurled, outside edge.





I blacked these and then made some of the nickel-silver springs.
Here is one fitted to our 'trial' model..





This is the state of play so far with a finished pair of forks in place..It's starting to look like an Aerial now!





The next job is to start making the all-important spindles...I may be some time...


wm+

[Jardine]

Just sublime....I'm beginning to want one.....

[Luga00]

Wow, superb craftsmanship and skill. A joy to look at, Leszek!
Russ

[Wallys-Cast]

Another wonderful instalment. It's becoming almost mass production. thanks Leszek.

Wal.

[Lea Dweller]

..Just a quick update to let you know that things are still happening..

In between jobs, I have been making some of the many smaller detail parts necessary..unfortunately, did not take too many pictures along the way!

The major detail was making the locking-and friction forks that fit into the hub. I made about twenty sets but scrapped a few; however, I ended up with enough for all the reels to be made.

One of the very small parts is the little friction adjuster nut. These were made by cut-knurling a length of bar which was then turned, drilled and tapped. We ended up with these. They measure 1/4" diameter across the knurled, outside edge.





I blacked these and then made some of the nickel-silver springs.
Here is one fitted to our 'trial' model..





This is the state of play so far with a finished pair of forks in place..It's starting to look like an Aerial now!





The next job is to start making the all-important spindles...I may be some time...


wm+

Wonderful work as usual Leszek, but I count SIXTEEN parts so sixteen reels to be made, I thought that you were supposed to be taking things easier!