Reel Maintenance Stand

[David 13]

Hello all, I've been a member a long time and figured I should post something. After learning so much from everyone.

Anyway, I wanted to make stand for working on reels due to my fumbling around and dropping parts. I searched the forum for one. The only post I found was one by Xjchad from a couple of years ago, but the photos are no longer showing on the post. So I apologize if it copies his.

So here is my take on one I finished up last week. I just used some scrap wood I had lying around, ( I know there are 3 different wood species used). A scraped out Garcia Conolon  reel seat, some 3/8" washers, nuts and some wood screws Some felt for the feet of the base. I had to purchase the 3/8" threaded rod and the hinge.

The reel seat already had a 5/8" O.D. tube running through it, so I bored a hole in the upright piece so it had a snug fit. I am able to rotate the seat around and it stays in place. If I need a little more holding power, I just tighten down the front nut a little more to keep it from spinning around.

I built the up the back end of the threaded rod with Gorilla Tape so that it fit into the tube snugly. The front of the reel seat already had some kind plastic arbor in it. In which the threaded rod fit perfect.

Halfway through making this I decided to add another block of oak to the upright to give it a little more support. Added a hinge so I could tilt the upright back and work on the top end of the reel. I left the threaded rod a little long and screwed on a cork ring so I don't scratch any thing. Like the wife's table.

The photos can explain it better than I can.
All said I'm pretty happy with it.







   

[foakes]

Good idea!

I just use restaurant fast food trays —- about 3 dozen at a time always in use.

Best, Fred

[Gfish]

Very nice. I don't remember Chad's version... Great first post. You got me thinkin bout it...

[Swami805]

Great idea! That came out really clean Maybe a small tool caddy and some kind of soft cover on top so if you drop something it doesn't bounce

[Midway Tommy]

That a pretty nice idea. I'm a hands on kind of guy, though, so I would probably have it out of the reel seat and in my hands and corralled on the table more than actually in the stand. 

[happyhooker]

Looks good; I can see where that would be handy.

Frank

[Bill B]

I like it!  Just might have to steal this idea.  Bill

[JasonGotaProblem]

Interesting idea. I'm not sure it would see much use with the way I personally like to work, but I applaud the effort.

This is also giving me an unrelated idea. More on that later if it doesnt suck.

[jgp12000]

looks great! like said  before we all drop things,and it seems like it's always the smallest thing to find...I too use FF trays lined with a micro fiber rag or toolbox liner cut to size.

[JasonGotaProblem]

I always do my reel work sitting on the floor. I don't seem to ever drop anything over my tray. If it's gonna drop it'll be while I'm holding it up closer to my eye for a better look, and that doesn't seem to happen over the tray.

2 weeks ago I was working on a 113H, hadnt learned the trick yet, and lost the dog spring twice in a row. And both times I found it stuck in my excessive leg hair. Had i not been grounded, it woulda been gone. Twice.

[jgp12000]

If I lose something one thing that helps is a C.H. Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder(rare earth magnet) for steel, or turn the lights off and scan the area with a spotlight,if it's white,a UV flashlight.

[Finest Kind]

Nice. Very innovative David! I have to get more organized. I mostly work on conventional reels, but a tray at minimum. I recently spent about an hour searching for the sixth frame screw on the tailplate side of a 500S Jigmaster. Eventually I realized that the reel is only supposed to have five. The sixth hole is for the quick take apart screw. Pay attention boy.
John

[Shellbelly]

I like it.  I'd use it.  It's on the build list.  There are parts of reel work where you need to have the reel in your hands, but this would be very helpful and stable for magnified inspection, structural repairs, cleaning, and polishing.  It is smartly designed so you can get very modular with easy on/off adds for spooling and such.  It could turn into a Shopsmith for reels.  And it doesn't look too industrial for "inside" work.

I don't think I'd put a loaded 16/0 on it without a wider base or swivel outriggers.

Thumbs up!  

[David 13]

Thanks guys for all the comments and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

I too you use various trays and containers to hold the parts while I'm working. This just frees up my other hand and helps me get the reel in comfotable position for assembly.

I never even thought of micro fiber or a tool box liners for the trays etc. Will definitely be using them in the future.

Swami, I like the idea of a tool caddy or maybe a small tray lined with micro fiber. I may have to look into that. Thanks.

As far as the reel size that the stand can handle. I have a Long Beach 60 it holds with no problem.
I know that is a small reel compared to some but that is probably the biggest reel I will ever have.

Thanks much
David

[jgp12000]

I know there are times when a 3rd hand would come in handy, your rig does that fer sure!