Hey all..
This is what happens when the weather is too hot to fish (Dubai summer).. Like many, I enjoy having a tinker so thought about making a few new handle arms for my JM reels..
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/New/P1030919.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/New/P1030920.jpg)
As you can see above, the factory arm in alloy and my "project" arm in CF.
Why do I want a CF arm? no reason at all...just wanted to see if it could be done, have been testing this one for a month or so and been pretty impressed..made out of 6mm sheet (I think it is stronger than the alloy one?)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/New/P1030926.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/New/P1030928.jpg)
CNC the handle to the desired dims and then finish the edges and polish by hand..came out alright I think, anyway a couple of my mates now have them and also trying them out....something a bit different
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/New/P1030928.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/New/P1030929.jpg)
Took a bit of time to sort it all out...but enjoyable
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/New/P1030930.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/New/P1030931.jpg)
The CF is extremely strong but is messy to work with...anyway just thought it maybe of interest...could make them for just about any reel I guess..
The good thing is, the weather is starting to cool down.....so back to fishing soon
Clem
That's a cracker Clem - nice work.
If testing goes well, this could be a great addition to just about any reel (I s'pose 3/0 and bigger would be the best application).
Great stuff - patent pending!
Cheers, Justin
That's awesome. How much weight did you shave off vs the alloy handle?
Nice work clem! That material is not easy to work with, could you share the type of tools that you used?
Thanks guys,
Will come back to you on the weight..
As far as this arm is concerned I used a diamond file and some 600/800 grit sandpaper - it can be polished up with pretty much any wax, I used some G10 that I had. You could use a dremel for the edges and or polishing...this one was done by hand as I really didn't know what I wanted to do with it.
The Pe3 and pe5N that I have are manufactured with 2 different length arms - the difference is only small, 5mm - 8mm. I built this arm to be in between both of them and it feels great.
I'll keep playing with the design and keep you all updated..
Congrats Clem, you are an artist! I have a PE8 that would work well with one of these.
Hey Pal,
Thanks, I have redesigned the handle since that one and still testing it - so far it has worked great - The CF really is stronger than I thought it would be. It is extremely rigid and I thought this may translate to the arm being brittle, but I haven't found this to be the case at all..
I'll get some pics of the new one I have been testing, I think it looks better than the one pictured above and is actually lighter. I need a decent scale to confirm the difference between them all.
I'm also working on a CF handle/Grip that uses the standard shaft and will get some pics of that also.
Very nice. Very nice.
I have a black and gold jm and I really want one of those handles. would you sell me one?
Hi Hafnor,
I will get some pictures up of the new handle to see what you think, the new one has a milled insert..
nice. please post. waiting anxiously
That is some FUN looking stuff,,,
Hi Hafnor
Pictures of the final handle design,
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Handle/P1030934.jpg)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Handle/P1030940.jpg)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Handle/P1030941.jpg)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Handle/P1030942.jpg)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Handle/P1030947.jpg)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Handle/P1030946.jpg)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Handle/P1030943.jpg)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Handle/P1030949.jpg)
This is the one I have been testing....
I didnt shape the edges on this one as much as the previous handle but it is fairly easy to do. I did seal the edges though and gave them a quick polish.
You can do this by using any super glue "gel" this allows you more time to work it on, once its hard give it a quick sand - 600/800 grit and then a bit of wax.
Anyway, I think it turned out alright..as Justin mentioned you could make them for any reel really.
You're a craftsman Clem - nice work.
It turned out more than alright. You really have some talent there Clem, this is coming from a carpenter/mason with over 30 years of experience ;). Keep up your excellent work. Sal
nice clem. how is the weight? buy one from you? what is the length?
Hi Thor,
The OA length is 112mm - which is the same as the stock PE5 arm
The weight of the original arm is 24 grams which is pretty lite anyway, however the CF arm is only 14 grams..
Hey Clem, I had a phone call today from a shop owner mate who'd heard me talking about your CF JM handles.
He wants to stock 'em if and when they're available - reckons he's already got half-a-dozen keen starters.
I said they're currently a one-off, bespoke item on the other side of the world, but thought you might like to know.
Righto - all the best, Justin
Hey Justin,
Thanks for that.. ;D
I think I enjoy working out "how to do it" more than anything...CF is an amazing product really - anyone could have a go, that said there are many types of CF on the market so its worth doing a bit of research before you have a go yourself. I have learnt a lot over the past few months and happy to share my experiences if anyone want's to try it.
Once I have sorted everything out, I will make a few up and see if anyone is interested...I have been testing the handle arms for a while now and pretty happy with them..
I have made another part for my PE5N that I am testing now..will get pics up next week when I get back from holiday...I have not seen anything like it on the market or know of anyone who has tried it yet...(I pinched the idea from F1 ;))..I'm sure it will create a bit of discussion..
Anyway catch up soon...
Hey Justin...
Took this out on holiday...it is crazy how strong This stuff is, this weighs 12 grams...I have tried it on a couple of recent trips..freakishly strong. Got to use my "new" project part also, went really well will get pics up soon.
This one is not much different in weight to the "semi" milled handle (14gms) but looks half the weight due to the full cut out
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Haf1.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/Haf2.jpg)
Tis a thing of beauty Clem.
Form follows function.
Love the full cut-out, too.
Great work.
PS Looking forward to hearing about this mysterious "new" project part - you've set the bar pretty high to date... ;)
Cheers, Justin
just add the kevlar t-bar or knob.goodness gracious me.your a wiz clem,anyone can do it but your the 1st ;)
Quote from: redsetta on November 20, 2011, 08:09:32 PM
Tis a thing of beauty Clem.
Form follows function.
Love the full cut-out, too.
Great work.
PS Looking forward to hearing about this mysterious "new" project part - you've set the bar pretty high to date... ;)
Cheers, Justin
Xs 2 on this thread. Good work.
Beauty of a modification, Clem... can't wait for "project X"
Dom
WOW! can not wait to get my hands on one
Thanks for the positive feedback..
This is not directly related to the handles (crank arm) but I have been working on a handle/knob to go with the Carbon crank (also in Carbon) however, I decided to also model a knob from dense EVA.
I have read in many threads and also believe that the most important features of a knob or handle should be its shape and size...second to that, the weight and look..of course it needs to be durable etc. I guess the issue that manufactures face is trying to incorporate all these things while sticking to a price point.
Anyway, trying to incorporate these things as a tinkerer is not easy either..especially in Carbon Fiber - but I'm getting there..
Back to the EVA - went to the local sport shop and bought a Yoga block (only had a pink one haha but should be able to find in most colors), not sure of the actual rating but is closed cell EVA and about as dense as it comes..
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA10.jpg)
Had a rough idea in regard to what I wanted to do and rough cut the shape (based on a deodorant bottle of all things) with a bread knife...
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA11.jpg)
From there, got on to it with the dremel and tried a range of tools until finding one to do what I needed - (will get a pic of the bit I used) - the one with the nylon brush pad..you have to be careful and fairly smooth to ensure you don't remove too much stock, but you soon get the feel for it..I put a bit of shape into it by adding finger grips and keeping the thicker part of the shaping towards the front..this ended up being approx 113mm long by approx 35mm at the widest point..the only other bit I used was the standard sanding bit (rubber end with the slip on rollers, feels like 80/100grit)
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA4.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA5.jpg)
You could shape it anyway you wanted..and to suit the size of your hand...even in a pistol grip shape?
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA6.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA7.jpg)
Most importantly I think it ticks most of the boxes..it fits the hand much better than the original product, looks ok and is considerably light in weight - the original knob is actually quite light in weight (47gms) but for those who want to get lower, the EVA (in this shape) weighs only 12gms!
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA3.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA2.jpg)
The original felt ok - I think you just get used to it, but this does feel much better in the hand - what it might look like on the reel..
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA8.jpg) (http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/fishmad1/EVA9.jpg)
...Still making a knob in Fiber but this was a great interlude and I learnt a few things along the way....how to connect it to the shaft is the next question, there are a few ways but I want to take a different approach to the norm..will get some pics soon but I'm making a new shaft..no shaft bearing or sleeve required as I have put 2 bearings into a Carbon Fiber housing that will insert into the EVA handle
Sounds a bit odd, but actually simplifies the whole arrangement - less parts required and is again lighter than the original. The original has 1 bearing at the bottom of the shaft but it actually doesn't do a lot.. some radial load but no thrust - so it doesn't make too much difference whether its in or not..this design should offer more smoothness at least..
Total weight for the original shaft (34gm complete) and t-bar (47gm) totals 81gms or just under 3oz in the old money..I think I can get the whole lot to around 30gm using the EVA..
WOW! this is getting crazy! I like it
Looking good Clem: Keep at it. Dominick
Awesome Clem - bet you're enjoying the challenge of it all.
Cheers for keeping us tinkerers in the loop. ;)
Good luck with the final stages, Justin
There is no stopping you Clem, looks like you can do anything. Now, if you don't mind me asking...what do you do for a living? Keep up your great work. Sal
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 22, 2011, 02:09:10 AM
There is no stopping you Clam, looks like you can do anything. Now, if you don't mind me asking...what do you do for a living? Keep up your great work. Sal
He rakes clams for a living. Salute! Dominick
Hey Sal,
I would like to say I'm a full time recreational fisherman...but unfortunately that's not the case...maybe one day. I come from a Logistics background and work in Dubai for a Fuel company....have lots of free time over summer due to the heat so give me something to do..
Quote from: Pescachaser on November 22, 2011, 04:00:02 AM
He rakes clams for a living. Salute! Dominick
Domenico, I came to a conclusion....you're nuts! ;D
Keep'em coming though ;).
Sal: I think the post went over your head. Look at my last post and just for fun read the quote from your post. Then you'll get it. ??? dominick
Whoops! You got me Dominick.....sorry Clem.
Typical lawyer, always checking out all details ;D.