Homemade Tools & Line Winders

[Alto Mare]

Harry, I'm not going against the guys here, I just want to mention what I use:
Simple Green, stiff nylon brush, stiff ss brush and a soft brass brush. I also have some fine and medium stainless steel wool .
I clean the grease off the plates with the a nylon brush and Simple Green, I'll then soak them for a day in another container filled with fresh Simple Grease.
Chromed parts get the same treatment, but I use a ss brush or brass brush, depending how bad they are. At times I will also use ss wool.
I do not mix brass parts with  chromed part, I clean then with a soft brass brush and soak them for a day in white distilled vinegar.
When I remove the parts from soaking them, I use another container and and pour the liquid through a strainer, so I can get the parts.
This has been working out for me, no ultra sonic. Just my 2 cents.
BTW, my reels look pretty
Sal

[BMITCH]

I agree with Sal. The ultrasonic cleaner is NOT a must have. I have one for my work in repairing surveying instruments. So mine is a must have piece of equipment. If you do opt for getting one though I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Bob

[harryk3616]

hi  sal  and   bob        sal i use a stiff nylon brush with wd40, maybe i should try the simple green.  i like your idea on cleaning the chrome parts, i appreciate all the input i receive and yes your reels a reel purdy,  thank you,  and  bob    i purchased a tea infuser from ebay for  $3.30 ,  free shipping, boy beats having to load up my scooter and go to the store, thank you  bob  and  sal.  gonna forget that ultra sonic cleaner.       harryk

[Alto Mare]

Harry, like you I use whatever I can find. Here are a couple of tools that I use to drain the parts;
A plastic container and a cheese basket:


You already know how to get creative

[harryk3616]

sal    how can ya go wrong with polly-o  and yummy ricotta,  gotta be innovative like you say, thanks buddy

[Dominick]

sal    how can ya go wrong with polly-o  and yummy ricotta,  gotta be innovative like you say, thanks buddy

You are right Harry, good Ricotta and then Italian Tupperware.  Life is good.    Dominick

[harryk3616]

yes    dom       my mom was italian  and my wife is italian, and i know how to munga

[Joel.B]

sonic-cleaner certainly not a must have- just makes life much much easier, and it saves mucho time. I have lots of nerve damage, numbness, its hard for me to handle all the little screws and parts, cleaning them each individually with a brush would take all day.

It will knock the rust and grime out from inside of teeth, threads, little holes....in minutes, all while I am working on something else.

I also use an electrolysis tank for steel parts, made it myself with battery charger.  you should see what the gnarliest rusted steel gears look like when they come out . 

[harryk3616]

good morning   joel          thanks for the info

[BMITCH]

Joel, I'm very interested in the electrolysis tank you made?? Any chane of some pics and instructions.

Bob

[Joel.B]

Joel, I'm very interested in the electrolysis tank you made?? Any chane of some pics and instructions.

Bob

here is a quick google result that covers the bases pretty well

http://www.myfordtractors.com/electrolysis.shtml

[Norcal Pescador]

Harry, you are truly crafty in a good way.   I like your innovative tools and hardware.

[BMITCH]

Joel, I'm very interested in the electrolysis tank you made?? Any chane of some pics and instructions.

Bob

here is a quick google result that covers the bases pretty well

http://www.myfordtractors.com/electrolysis.shtml
Thanks Joel, way cool
Bob

[spize909]

I found myself without help to get some new line on my reels before the last trip so I decided to look around the garage to see what I could come up with. I had some steel plates that are used for block walls (Proto Walls) and they looked to fit the bill. Those and a 3/8" (might have been 5/16") bolt completed what I would need to get the basic part done.
I couldn't find the right spring right away so I used a short section of rubber fuel hose for tension.

I have been gathering stuff to be able to do my own powder coating and finally got it all together. I thought the line winder would be a great thing to experiment on. I also coated a star drag for my 505.

I used the lower part of the oven as the spray booth.

[spize909]

Put the star on the reel.
I may PC the rings, the handle and the gear lever (blank on what it's called). My rods are all wrapped black and orange............I can't see putting orange on a reel but it should would stand out when I need to find it