updated 29 March 2001
ICQ# 1366135
|
|
 |
"The purpose of Life is to be happy - His Holiness the Dali Lama."
|
Airbrushing
Airplanes,Flying
Alcohol
Astronomy
Automobiles
Boats, Boating
Cigars
Computers
Cool People/Links
Electronics
Firearms
Fishing
Fly Fishing
Girls
Golf
High End Stereo
Machine Tools
Magazines
Motorcycles
Mountain Biking
Music
Photography
Poetry
Racquetball
RC Airplanes
Robots (BotWars)
Rock Climbing
Roller Blading
School
Snorkeling
Stocks/Investing
Tennis
Traveling
Watches
Wind Surfing
Wood Working |
| After taking apart some fly fishing reels,
I thought to myself, wow, these things should be easy to make.
Since the average descent fly reel costs around $200 to $400, I immediately
started researching machining tools and techniques. I sent out
emails to anyone that would listen and joined up with some e-groups
(now yahoo groups) such as
the Sherline Group
and the 7"x10"
Mini Lathe Group. I decided to buy the Sherline
6000 package which includes a mill and a lathe. I think I
might want to go CNC some day and I have found some great info on
the CAD-CAM-DRO
Group. One site that impressed me greatly was Kurt Bjorn's
site, www.5bears.com. He
has built radial engines and even micro jet turbines. If
I had to start over again, I would probably buy a larger
lathe. Turning 4.5" 6061 aluminum bar stock on a Sherline
is not easy or fun. Although the Harbor
Freight's 7"x10" lathe is inexpensive, I think I would
rather get something with more accuracy and horsepower, maybe a
Prazi. So far
I've learned how to make 4" diameter bar stock become
3.5" diameter. I started a fly fishing vise, but I am not
sure how to go about making the jaws. I also started some fly
reels, but I need some stainless steel teflon sealed ball
bearings. Although this hobby is very interesting, it is also
very frustrating. Once metal is removed, there is no way to
put some back on! Ultimately, I would like to do what Bjorn
has done, and make radial engines and micro jet turbines for my R/C
airplanes. |
The Sherline 6000 package
Hodgson 9 by Kurt Bjorn
Wren Turbine
|
|
 |
|
