Reel Repair by Alan Tani

About a months or so ago, Sheridan asks me if I would be interested in a couple of pieces of burl, I said sure.


He sends two boxes
One is Walnut  and the other Bunna-Bunna, I think I'm saying it right.

Sheridan, you were interested on seeing what the little guy looked like, here you go:

Very interesting wood, the grain appears and disappears as you move it around. It has a natural glare to it, I love it!
The Walnut is also beautiful, but it doesn't really show on the pic,I gave it a couple of coats of Spar Varnish in Gloss.

The Bunna-Bunna, I did not like how it looked with a clear coat, so I decided to leave it natural with just a coating of oil.
Two handles are headed your way, I would like to keep one for myself.
Please chose if you want the round knob or the T knob on the Bunna-Bunna, it doesn't matter to me.
If I'm able to get one more out of a small piece I have left, I will send the other as well, but I'm thinking the piece is too small  .

Thanks again Sheridan.

Sal

Those look great Sal. Should be enough walnut to make a few more I hope. The round one would be good, I'm sure I have something befitting that fine piece
Good to know that wood went to a good home. We run literally tons of wood thru chippers every week and I scavenge the odd piece now and then.
The bunna bunna or monkey puzzle tree(arricaria bidweldeii) is a native to oz and New Zealand I think. Those orbs grow under the bark on top of the wood. Only Tree I've ever seen with anything remotely similar.
We took out a huge one that the client had milled for furniture and bar tops. It was about 10' across at the bass. The final cut weighed 43,000 pounds on the crane. The guy on the saw was sweating bullets.
Shame to take it out but they have cones that fall about the size of bowling balls.
I have another one if you want it Sal let me know.
Thanks Sheridan

Sheridan, I just came back from the shed and found a piece I took out earlier, so it could fit iton my bandsaw.
That piece will do just fine for my handle. So, whatever you see on the pic are yours and will ship soon as I have a chance.
Those were pale yellow when I turned them, they turned a  nice orange color the very next day.


Oh, yes, I'm very much interested on the other, but only if I cover the shipping.

When I get some time I'll make you a nice size round knob out of that Walnut as well, I have a design I really like and I'm sure so will you.

Here's a few pictures of the bunna bunna. We called the crane for the last cut and to move the pieces to the portable mill

   That Bunna-bunna is a new one on me too...cool knobs guys!

Oh wow Sheridan, I had no idea it was that big, I was thinking the size of a fruit tree.
Very interesting. By the way, it isn't easy to work with, but a very sharp chisel helps.

Sideways pictures,figures.
Those orb things are under the lumps in the bark on the trunk. It's pretty hard wood for a conifer,just a very strange tree all the way around. It dosen't have needles like a pine,they're triangular shaped "scales" that are very sharp. In the old parts of town there's still a few around but most were removed because people were hurt or killed by the cones.
Thanks for the knobs Sal, they look great.
Sheridan

Sal was kind enough to send me a few knobs made from the burls. Had a chance to mount one on a grey 27 with new bars, a red PC spool and used a 24-49 handle blade. Great 20lb halibut reel for the local pier. Knob feels great in the hand and the wood is very light and hard.
Thanks Sal! Sheridan

That is a trick looking reel Sheridan!
Beautiful knobs Sal

I'm not sure that knob has anything to do with it, but that is one sharp looking Monofil. The first with a red spool to me.
Enjoy it Sheridan!

Thank you Chad!  by the way, the ring at the base is the bearing retainer on the 6/0. The hole fits perfectly with the shaft and I think it gives it a nice look ...don't throw anything out, you never know.

Sal

Those came out great Sal. So, you fabricated the handle "shaft" also?  Very cool👌
Neat tree you got it from Sheridan.... never seen anything like that before
Brett

Quote from: Alto Mare on August 21, 2018, 09:38:36 AM

Thank you Chad!  by the way, the ring at the base is the bearing retainer on the 6/0. The hole fits perfectly with the shaft and I think it gives it a nice look ...don't throw anything out, you never know.

Sal

Awesome repurposing Sal!  That knurled ring looks great on the knob!