Any Machinists in the House

[AtlantaKing]

I'm posting this in the open forum because it is fishing related: it's for a line spooler that I'm trying to make.

Anyone here have access to a machine shop to carve something out of aluminum, stainless steel, or some sort of hard plastic (delrin?)? I'm looking for a pair of tapered spacers to center a line spool on a shaft to provide the tension for my line spooler. Unfortunately, these parts are not easy to come. So, is there anyone that has access to a machine shop that can make me something like the picture below? Basically, the part is a cone with a hole drilled in the middle of it. The height and diameter (of the big end) of the cone isn't that important, but the inner diameter of the hole has to be 3/8" or just over. Something that's approx. 1" long and 1" OD would be great. I'm looking for a pair, if possible.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/AKPS2006/TaperedSpacers.jpg

[Power Aero]

I can make them for you.

What would you like to swap?....Smiles

[CrawFish]

2 tennis balls, polk holes on both sides, put the balls on either side of the spool, secure with a nuts/washers. That'll create some tension you need.

[AtlantaKing]

Power Aero, you've got PM.

Teo, it's not just the tension, but the smooth and consistent application of it to the spool. The tapered spacers will also center the spool concentric to the shaft, so that my spooler can accomodate many different sizes of line spools. :) The tennis ball is a good suggestion, though. ;)

[can't fish today]

How about taking one of those high bouncy super balls, drilling a whole through, and then cutting it down the middle?

http://www.octhen.com/uploaded_images/wham-o-superball-753082.jpg

[Power Aero]

I'm glad to do it for the guy. It's not going to cost me anything but my time.

A couple lures, an old fillet knife some rigs...whatever...I'm easy.

I've got an old South Bend 9" lathe in my garage that I piddle around with.

When we were kids the barter system was about all we had. We would swap tackle all the time.

Just when you thought all the luck had run out of that lure you just traded........:)

[SteveZ]

Got some about like that at Lowe's, I think. They're some sort of hard plastic and are used as washers between the tank & the toilet. They are not quite cone shaped...have a bit of a radius to 'em. Works great on my Triangle line winder when backed by flat washers of the same material. And they do not wear. Check out the plumbing stuff!

[jcreamer]

AK,

This may work for you. It's called a prop nut. It's used in remote control airplanes as the nose cone. The one in the link is 7/8" and has a 3/8" threaded hole which you would have to drill through.

http://www.truturn.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?p_id=n0875c375&ppinc=propnuts&exact_match=on

AK
If you want to try this then let me know I have 4 or five of these in my work shop and you can have a couple.

[Mark G]

to wack the nose ends off a couple of plastic funnels, assuming you can find the right size. Then glue the funnel tips to a couple of properly sized washers to give you a surface to put tension on. Might not work all that great, sounds like ya got a good offer for help already, so good luck and post a pic when your done.


I have one of the heavy duty commercial spoolers and think the cones are made out of hard rubber , if not mistaken.

[Mark G]

I think a better idea would be to shape the cones out of the proper sized cork rings, should be a breeze to do on a lathe, might want to put a coat of hard finish over the outside of the cork to let the spool slide smoothly.

[AtlantaKing]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

SteveZ, I don't think I've ever seen those washers, but I'll look harder in the plumbing section near the toilets next time I'm in the Homey's :)

FB and JCreamer, the prop nuts have the right shape, but for me to be able to drill a hole lengthwise through the thing, concentric to the outer diameter would be very hard.

SC, I've thought about the cork rings/wood rings, but unfortunately, they bind up when placed on the shaft.

Power Aero, you got PM (and some goodies headed your way ;) )

[Mark G]

AK, yeah didn't think about the cork sliding on a shaft, especially if its threaded. Might work if you can find a plastic bushing to glue to the inside of the cork ring, might be more trouble than it's worth tho.

[SteveZ]

Actually, now that I think about it, the washers are from the kit of plastic goodies used to install the seat hinge to the bowl. Some years ago my tackle shop in Utah went out of business & I got one of the line winders. It did not have the spool mounting hardware but for a long time I've used these plumbing gizmos. I also use a couple of tight fitting rubber grommets to hold everything on the shaft with a little tension. Works way better than winding by hand!

[Power Aero]

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=87&subpageid=294628&ck=

just make the things.....

[AtlantaKing]

Sweet! That's exactly what I was looking for. :)

[Power Aero]

I drilled them .377 inside dia so you've got a .001 on each side of your spindle.

Let me know how you like them.....smiles

[can't fish today]

PA, you're ok.

[Power Aero]

I scored a brand new Marttini Filet Knife that's the perfect size for the table fare sized fish that I fish for, a sharpener and at least 4 doz different sized circle hooks.

Excellent Trade, Thank You very much!!!

Smiles

[AtlantaKing]

Glad you like it. The spacers work like a charm! Power Aero, it's been a pleasure. :)