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Very happy to be bringing another new project to light!
You all may or may not know that Alan Tani has asked me to take on production of his Delrin handle grips. I've been making them now for two or three years and so far everyone seems really happy with them. I asked Alan if I could make and market these pretty acrylic handles and he "Go for it"!! These handles are based on Alan's universal handle, so all the hardware is included to mount to your favorite handle arm.
For now, I'm only going to be making the 3/0 and 5/0 sizes.
I've got to tell you, these are a pain in the behind to make! They are messy, lots of stinky fumes, and extremely time consuming to polish by hand. I have to wear a respirator to keep away from the fumes and spend quite a bit of time cleaning my machines downafter the machining/polishing processes.
So giving you all a glimpse of what it takes to make thes handles, they will always be a custom almost made to order kind of deal. I'll be batching them in runs of a dozen or so at a time, focusing on colors that you all gravitate to. Due to the manufacturing process for the acrylic blanks, the swirls, ribbons, fade and sparkle is different on each piece.
I'll have these up individually on the website soon, so keep an eye out!
Tom
those are an artwork.
good to see someone is going to making those again.
is that the only Style you are going to make?
any estimated price yet?
Those are really beautiful, Tom!
And very capable as well as functional.
I need one of these for my silver 20/0 Cortez/Tib with your great sideplates — if that might be possible?
My Dad always said — it never hurts to ask. Not much in life is ever obtained without asking...whether it is a reel, a tough part, a biscuit, or most anything!!
Best Always,
Fred
Tom,
Those handles are amazing. My color preference is for the white/silver/black swirl since I have mostly silver and black reels (pro gear). The one in your photo is perfect! (first dibs?)
Rich
Tom, I'll take the upper far right in purple in the 1st & 3rd photos if it's a 5/0. Rudy
Imma need blue knobs and green knobs to match your pretty reels. Amazing work- but as expected from anything out of your shop!
John
Wow! Just what I've been waiting for...I'm in for a couple. Silver and or Blue for me...
Cool
Very beautiful! I love my acrylic that I got from Striper Lou many moons ago. They really make these custom reels pop!
Nice, very nice!
Having made a few of these myself, I second Tom's words about what goes into making these.
What-ever the asking price is, they are worth every cent!
Beautiful work Tom, they will be a hit I'm sure.
Great news Tom...I love these style knobs!
Wow! :o
Tom,
Thank you for picking up the charge to make these beautiful knobs. With everything else you are creating in your mad scientist laboratory, these really showcase that the reels made here are functional art pieces.
Nick
Another great product from Tom. I'm sure happy that you are making them!!
Quote from: ReelFishingProblems on January 15, 2022, 02:14:36 PM
Tom,
Thank you for picking up the charge to make these beautiful knobs. With everything else you are creating in your mad scientist laboratory, these really showcase that the reels made here are functional art pieces.
Nick
Very well said Nick. I whole heartedly agree !!
-Ted
These look amazing!! Looking forward to getting a red one for my XN jigmaster
wow!!! :o :o :o
Here's to finding a polish solution, we need more of these!
The Man
These Acrylic handle grips are now available!
https://www.cortezconversions.com/custom-handle-arms-grips
So awesome! I can see it now, building reels to match the handles, a whole new rabbit hole
Those are beautiful!
Holy Cow. I just checked those out. Tom doesn't play around.
It`s all fun and thrillic until it gets too slippery or sticky, depending on conditions.
Slippery or sticky? I don't think that's an issue. As a matter of fact I know it's not. I've used one from Sal and it was a treat. If you have baby hands and can't reach around the grip than it might be an issue but if you grab it like any other reel handle it feels lovely and looks even better.
I gotta get me a couple of these babies.
Thanks for making these available, Tom!!
Sal always said these were hellacious to produce... now I know why!
Best
Dom
Just put these knobs on 3 reels and they are spectacular. I can't post a pic, or you all would be drooling about now !!
Ted
Here ya Go Folks !
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They is Some Kind of PURDY Fo SHO
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No more or less grippy than stock knobs on Sealines or Senators, but larger for a better grip for sure, and certainly a lot higher on the aesthetic end.
Is there any chance that smaller custom barrel size knobs will be made? Like the acrylic/plastic ones found on older penn 24-66/55/56 handles? I do a lot of flylining and iron chucking with my squidders and jigmasters and would be interested in the smaller knobs similar to the original ones. I just find the original barrel knobs so comfortable and I'm not a big fan of the newer round type when i comes to smaller knob options.
-Oops got to excited and posted before reading the entire original post (only 3/0 and 5/0 knobs being made). Well, if Tom or someone does decide make smaller "T" or barrel knobs, I'd be all over it!
I do some woodworking/resin casting and have been trying to locate the internals to make this work.
A brass/SS sleeve can be inserted into my part, but I cannot a kit for the shaft with washers, etc.
I have ZERO urge to make/sell any for anyone but myself and my immediate family.
Do you have any recommendations to locate the internals, or could I purchase some from you?
I have some cherrywood from a tree that fell at my father's home.
As a gift, I would love to stabilize, and turn on the lathe for a knob.
Can any one be of help?
Quote from: PrinceAlbertLure on January 27, 2022, 09:34:17 PM
I do some woodworking/resin casting and have been trying to locate the internals to make this work.
A brass/SS sleeve can be inserted into my part, but I cannot a kit for the shaft with washers, etc.
I have ZERO urge to make/sell any for anyone but myself and my immediate family.
Do you have any recommendations to locate the internals, or could I purchase some from you?
I have some cherrywood from a tree that fell at my father's home.
As a gift, I would love to stabilize, and turn on the lathe for a knob.
Can any one be of help?
PM sent.
Quote from: fishloco8 on January 27, 2022, 08:04:43 PM
Is there any chance that smaller custom barrel size knobs will be made? Like the acrylic/plastic ones found on older penn 24-66/55/56 handles? I do a lot of flylining and iron chucking with my squidders and jigmasters and would be interested in the smaller knobs similar to the original ones. I just find the original barrel knobs so comfortable and I'm not a big fan of the newer round type when i comes to smaller knob options.
-Oops got to excited and posted before reading the entire original post (only 3/0 and 5/0 knobs being made). Well, if Tom or someone does decide make smaller "T" or barrel knobs, I'd be all over it!
Maybe we can work something out if there's enough interest.
Quote from: Ron Jones on January 16, 2022, 10:04:02 PM
Here's to finding a polish solution, we need more of these!
The Man
Always wet sand acrylics, resins, plastics etc.
I recommend The Novus brand of polish
https://www.amazon.com/Novus-7100-Plastic-Polish-Kit/dp/B002UCYRZU/ref=asc_df_B002UCYRZU?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80539278509464&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138858047983&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/Novus-7100-Plastic-Polish-Kit/dp/B002UCYRZU/ref=asc_df_B002UCYRZU?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80539278509464&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138858047983&psc=1)
Micromesh make amazing abrasives.
I like the small square pads
They last a long time, are very consistent, and the foam lining prevents gouges.
I polish CA finish (superglue) on wood parts and they come out like glass.
https://www.amazon.com/Sanding-Stopper-Polishing-Perfect-Materials/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=sanding+resin&qid=1643324512&sr=8-11 (https://www.amazon.com/Sanding-Stopper-Polishing-Perfect-Materials/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=sanding+resin&qid=1643324512&sr=8-11)
Quote from: PrinceAlbertLure on January 27, 2022, 09:34:17 PM
I would love to stabilize,
You mean with Cactus Juice of something?
I bet you can find the makings of inserts and attachment hardware on-line or at your local hardware store if they have a K&S display. The tricky part with knobs is the direction of rotation will tend/want to loosen a screw. So, you need either left-hand threads or some way to peen or lock the screw in place. Sal once said that he just used red Locktite.
Genius. Tarpon scales will naturally roll up as they dry unless you put them in a press of some sort. They would be about the right diameter and length for a handle knob.
It's all sort of like making deisgner fountain pens and there's tons of information about that.
Quote from: Cortez_Conversions on January 27, 2022, 09:47:02 PM
Quote from: fishloco8 on January 27, 2022, 08:04:43 PM
Is there any chance that smaller custom barrel size knobs will be made? Like the acrylic/plastic ones found on older penn 24-66/55/56 handles? I do a lot of flylining and iron chucking with my squidders and jigmasters and would be interested in the smaller knobs similar to the original ones. I just find the original barrel knobs so comfortable and I'm not a big fan of the newer round type when i comes to smaller knob options.
-Oops got to excited and posted before reading the entire original post (only 3/0 and 5/0 knobs being made). Well, if Tom or someone does decide make smaller "T" or barrel knobs, I'd be all over it!
Maybe we can work something out if there's enough interest.
Sounds good, a smaller custom penn reel wouldn't be complete without one. If anyone else is interested in a custom original barrel sized knob, let Tom know also!!!
Quote from: fishloco8 on January 27, 2022, 08:04:43 PM
Is there any chance that smaller custom barrel size knobs will be made? Like the acrylic/plastic ones found on older penn 24-66/55/56 handles? I do a lot of flylining and iron chucking with my squidders and jigmasters and would be interested in the smaller knobs similar to the original ones. I just find the original barrel knobs so comfortable and I'm not a big fan of the newer round type when i comes to smaller knob options.
-Oops got to excited and posted before reading the entire original post (only 3/0 and 5/0 knobs being made). Well, if Tom or someone does decide make smaller "T" or barrel knobs, I'd be all over it!
Egg shaped knobs. My choice.
Small knobs would be nice but wouldn't have much pattern to them. Maybe the material comes with tighter swirling or something
A smaller option would be nice for the smaller Penns. I've never handled one but always wanted one of Alan's 2/0 handles. Reg or spinner model...
They are a bit larger than the Penn power handle size football though...
Cool
There is more variety in the smaller blanks .625-.650 diameters pen blanks and there is the 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 blanks .
It`s worst than trying to pick out a Granite counter top !!!!
Seems like .625-.650 would make a spindly grip... the standard vintage Jiggy grip is approx. .80 so any new custom acrylic grip even a smaller than 3/0 would prob need a 1.5 x 1.5 blank... there are a few blank suppliers out there. Some have color mix's that others don't have.
Cool
Why buy blanks when you can cast your own?
I'm not lazy, but pick I my battles...casting acrylic isn't a battle I would want to wage.
Cool
Mine came in the mail today, they look way better in person. The hardware is super stout too, first rate. I'd post a picture but ain't working on my sperry- univac
Hello All,
I just added a bunch of 3/0 style grips to the website!
https://www.cortezconversions.com/custom-handle-arms-grips
Decisions, decisions.....
nothing wrong with any of the 3 knobs, toss a coin, install the winner and move to the next reel
I like the red/grey one!
easy. buy two more red reels