Mortised Reel Seat

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:23 pm

Forgive my ignorance here, but I'm nearing completion on a bamboo fly fishing rod and I don't know the best way to create the mortise on a real seat I turned with my ShopSmith.

Can someone help me out?

Here is what I'm going for...
(The mortise is used to accept the real foot - one end of the reel foot slides under the cap and the other end is secured with the ring)

horologist · Post by **horologist** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:54 pm

Chad,

For a one off, you could try a custom scratch stock with a body that matches the diameter of the handle and a blade that has the correct contour for the mortise.

Take a look at this video for some ideas on how to make one.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=31290

If you plan on making a bunch of these then I have an idea for a jig but this is a bit more complicated.

Troy

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:20 pm

Thanks Troy. I plan to make a few of these per year for a long time to come.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:14 pm

Hi Chad - the mortise on the reel seat is done with a fingernail router bit. I also make bamboo fly rods and the shopsmith is a great tool for the rodmaker! here is a link for the bit:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/c1215
Alec

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 10:29 am

Thanks Alec!
This is my first rod and after two years, I'm finally on the home stretch. I certainly could not have gotten this far without the ShopSmith.
I'd love to see some of your finished rods if you have a site/pics.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:20 am

Hi Chad,
This is the only picture I have presently. This is a 7.5' 5 wt., 1 tip, with a nickle silver and butternut reel seat and a cigar grip. The wraps are red and black varigated. (no guides yet in this picture). I use Helmsman spar varnish for the finish - brushed on. I also made the net. It is sycamore with a walnut swoop through the handle.

I use the Shopsmith to rough bevel with a router bit and hardwood preliminary form. It is a very slow process due to the speed of the shopsmith. As always - light cuts and slow feed. I am really looking forward to getting a new Power Pro headstock when available. I am going to start cutting my strips on the bandsaw as well, rather than hand splitting. I know that some makers have had good success with this, but I just haven't built the jig yet. I also turn the cork handles on the Shopsmith. God bless and good rod making! Alec

nllaeder · Post by **nllaeder** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:21 pm

Do you also turn ferrule stations on the Shopsmith?

I just glued up my first blank on Saturday, and have been looking for a Shopsmith for a while. I may have found a candidate last night. I'm trying to go look at it tonight.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:27 pm

I do the ferrules by hand, but if I had a set of Dave Leclairs ferrule station cuttersI think it could be done on the Shopsmith.
The Shopsmith is a fine tool for the rodmaker - let us know how you make out! Alec