Reel Repair by Alan Tani

This is a WIP aluminum prototype knob for a great friend and customer. Its one of Ted's top secret projects.

A................ don't think I was suppose to say that. Anyways, he has a tremendous amount of talent and is beyond ambitious. Its always a pleasure working with him!

Just came out of the lathe to check fitment, and still needs a final polish w/2500 WD. Its not just the shiny ending that makes it right but the fact that each and every operation is done with the quality needed to insure the very best product possible.

I may add some radial cuts to dress it up but we tried to keep it simple and strong and fit within the constraints of my equipment. Of course if you have the money, the machinery that's available today is amazing. Although I have some quality stuff, its pretty rudimentary compared to the latest and greatest.

This knob fitted with an oversize shaft will be right at home on a reel producing 50++ pounds of drag or more. Its a big boy and shown next to a std 1 1/2" knob to get a drift of the size. Fully machined from 6061 T-6 and hand polished. A full 2" dia. and a knob with a width of 1" not including the stub.
Always open to comments and criticism's. That's the only way we can get better!

All have a great evening,  ..  Lou

No criticisms here brother.....That is a really cool knob, I bet the radial rings with o-rings inside the radials would be really cool.....or maybe color the inside of the radials black......Bill

Stunning work Lou! How did you do the indexing for the radial holes if you don't mind me asking?

Lou you've done it again

When does Striper Lou get his own section?  Another beauty!

Andy

Looks great Lou.

   I like it Lou...and that reference knob looks cool too!

Thanks to everyone for all the reply's, they're most appreciated.

Chris, on the indexing, I have some pics and will try to post them up later with and explanation.

Andy, Alan T was more than gracious to offer me a spot several months ago. I've just been so busy and the thought of not getting back to people in a timely manner is not the way I like to operate.

As of lately, its 8 hrs a day on knobs and 4 or more on other projects pretty much taps me out.
I like to think I'm reasonably well organized, but being a one man show and some days the phone just keeps ringing off the hook, it can  become a bit daunting at times to say the least!

I'd love to offer custom 1 of a kind parts here but it may be difficult with the amount of time involved, to produce them economically. I have absolutely no desire to compete with Chinese parts.

I'm not at all knocking them as some look and are quite good. One thing for sure is I'm always happy with what leaves the shop and I never ship anything unless its the absolute best I can make.

Again, thank you all,  ..  Lou

Beautiful knob Lou, you have some serious talent.

Sal

 Another home run Lou, just like your other knobs, flies, lures.....is there anything you do that isn't a masterpiece ?? We all know the answer.

If you looked in your family tree it would not surprise me if you're directly related to Leonardo de Vinci.

 -Ted

Sal, coming from a person with your expertise, that compliment is appreciated and humbling! Ted, you as well. I'm lucky enough to own a few of your TM creations and they're some of my favorites!

There's always been a sense of satisfaction when completing these projects. As far as de Vinci, I wish!!!

He was without a doubt a genius and over the top, plus light years ahead of his time. I've studied some of his works and drawings. Amazing! I cant even begin to imagine possessing a mind of that caliber!  The only thing I'm over the top on is quirkiness!   Oh ya, I'm also very good a consuming vittles?    Well, at least there's a couple of things.

OK, back to a little more polishing so I can ship this to a great guy.

All have a splendid day,  ..  Lou

Lou is being very humble in his expression of his talent, I've been to his shop and seen the many outstanding projects he is doing and I can not express in words what his talent brings to the table here at the Alan Tani site.

Not to mention Lou is a outstanding person as well. For me I say I have met a wonderful person with talent and ambition that I've never seen before.So Bravo! Lou

Joe 

Joe, thank you for the kind words. Most appreciated!

Here's the last pic after final polish. She wrapped up and ready to go to the customer. (not named but initials are TM!)

Chris, there's a bunch of different ole school ways to do this. I used a hexagonal 5C collet holder. I've included some pics of them just in case you haven't seen or used one. The 2 collet holders can be bought for 50 to 75 bucks. The other fixture is what's called a whirly gig in tool room jargon. These are all Chinese vintage and will NOT produce +/ - .001 without some handy work. Its probably a bit extreme for a home shop but this tolerance to me leaves nothing to chance. The whirly gig does give the option of indexing odd numbered spacing if you should decide to go this route instead. It does require being bolted to an angle iron though. Works great for radial cuts! You definitely have to have your wits about you when using this one and as many times as I've used one, I always do a dry run. Especially for odd numbered spacing.

For the hex 5C holder, set a vise stop on your mill. Put your collet holder up against the stop. Tram the OD of you part to establish the centerline and move your x or y to the first hole position And lock it up.
After drilling and reaming the first hole, its just a matter of rotating the hex collet fixture up to the stop for each successive positions until the full 6 holes are complete as in my case.

I apologize if I've over explained this as its a bit difficult to put into words. There's another way to do it with a few scrap pcs of metal and if that interests you we can do a PM. I don't want to bore everyone to death.

Hey, if you have access to CNC equipment, what takes me hours can be done in minutes with a simple program. Oh well! I'm lucky to have what I have!

Thanks to all again for everyone's comments and all have a great evening,  ..  Lou

All that high tech machinist jibberish means nothing to me and my 3rd grade education .....but that finished product speaks volumes Lou !!

Ted, I don't believe that for a minute. Ok, heading up to sit with Gracie.
Good night,  ..  Lou