The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Marvellous Wal, Sir ... I shall be glued to this.

I made the face plate this afternoon and I think I got it right first time which is unusual for me.
The Tufnol is very easy to work on a lathe, much nicer to work than most timbers with it being very dense.
I used the old face plate for rough sizes as it wasn't very accurately made but gave the idea of what was needed. It is rough but it shows what can be achieved with just simple hand tools if the need arises.

Here is the Tufnol blank cut out and ready to mount in the lathe for finishing.


Front cut and then drilled to take the slater latch.


Remounted in lathe and the rebate in the rear cut to take the line guard cage.


Finally fitted to the spool hub and the latch assembly fitted.




I'll try and get the winding knobs done tomorrow then its just a good clean up and final reassembly.

Thanks for all your kind comments chaps and to AndyB for the link to those Slater reels, it does indeed look like a Pioneer. It has no makers marks on the reel anywhere so I wont drill the face plate in case it causes any confusion to Slater collectors in the future, though I am sure anyone will be able to see it has had a new front and with it being a different colour.

Wal.

A fine job Wal, I love the smell of Tufnol as you machine it.

Brilliant Wal

Just put it all back together to make sure it turns feely and I was amazed at how well it spins.


The spool is about 1/4" too wide and looks a bit odd being wider diameter than the backplate so I'll take a bit off it tomorrow before fitting the knobs.

Paul, yes the smell of Tufnol being cut is lovely and the cuttings come off in a continuous thread like a fine ribbon, it is amazing stuff.

Wal.

I'd leave it Wal, looks "balanced " to my eyes, lovey job mate

So the 'winter project' ends up taking 2 days !!! Now that's skill. Wonderful, Sir.

Thanks Paul but I may as well get it right or it will niggle me forever.

Yes Mal, as usual I have a little look at something then I just can't stop myself. My wife says I can't just show an interest in something, I have to become obsessed with it. Well there's nowt on the telly is there.

Wal.

AshbyCut wrote:So the 'winter project' ends up taking 2 days !!! Now that's skill. Wonderful, Sir.

Disgusting isn't it!

2 winters if I was lucky let alone 2 days

Beautiful work Wal!

I've said it before, Wal you're are a clever bugger