Back to 'Traditional' basics...

[Olly]

A thing of beauty!

[NiceRoach]

Splendid

[Banksy]

A classic design, perfectly executed - though when I saw who the author of the post was, I expected nothing less!
Welcome back, Leszek.

[Frenner]

Engineering at its finest

[Hovis]

...with this one.

A 12-spoke, all-metal construction Aerial with a leaded finish, polished rims and with bronze / nickel-silver fitments.

A little under four inches in diameter and with a fully-riveted, one inch wide drum, made specifically for 'Wallis' casting.

This is the first time that I have attempted to make a reel with a full calliper check from aluminium bronze which has been hardened to make it 'springy'. The pawl is made from gauge-plate and has also been hardened. Line lays are stainless steel.

...Might do this one again with a narrower, 3/4" drum..It looks right on a 'Wallis' rod!

I'll just echo what others have said, welcome back dear watermole+. Wonderful to see you back posting. I do hope you're well?

I must say that's a beauty. Form and function. I have no idea how you've got that finish? The calliper check looks great, so well machined. Have you rolled it flat to start with then bent it over a mandrel to shape? Sorry for the questions, I'm as interested in the engineering as the look.

[Duckett]

Simply wonderful to see another of your works of art Leszek. Welcome back!

Phil

[JAA]

Glad you are well Leszek and still turning out wonderful things.

[Watermole+]

Thank you to everybody for all your very kind words and wishes…it means a lot at this time..

Hovis..The dark leaded finish is a chemical etch process with hot acid and boiling water cleaning…and not a very nice one to use. It actually took four attempts and a lot of unseemly muttering under the breath before a reasonably satisfactory result was achieved, even then it was not entirely even.

I made a few calliper springs by bending, rolling and flattening metal but they all failed miserably. After several fails (and more deposits in the swear box) I turned one on the lathe and radiused the edges by hand. Then, after heat treatment, it went completely out of shape so ended up tapping it flat with a special tempering hammer anyway…and more hand filing….! I think there is more to spring making than meets the eye.

Thank you again,

Wm+

[Keston]

Thats a beauty, love it !

[PershoreHarrier]

Very rarely you come across something that is simply the best.