Just Completed Reel Seats

[hardhat]

These reel seats were just completed today. I am picky on the wood to be turned, so I look to find attractive wood. Even at that once you start the project there is no way to know exactly what the color and grain will be when completed. I am happy with all of these. The burled inserts are from Maple, Rosewood and Amboyna
The hardware is just sitting on the seat



Burl reel seats Maple-Amboyna-Rosewood 008.jpgwood inserts 1-04-2012 024.jpg

[kbproctor]

What finish did you use? I usually use BLO/CA for about 4 coats. Stabilized wood gets less as it polishes up nicely with Micro Mesh most of the time.

[hardhat]

Hey Kevin,
I like using Spar Urethane for the finish. These are a mixture of Satin and Semigloss. I start out with a thinned mixture and gradually get to a less thinned Spar. I usually have from 8 to 10 hand rubbed coats. Some people sand after each coat but I will do so after two.

[kbproctor]

Hey Kevin,
I like using Spar Urethane for the finish. These are a mixture of Satin and Semigloss. I start out with a thinned mixture and gradually get to a less thinned Spar. I usually have from 8 to 10 hand rubbed coats. Some people sand after each coat but I will do so after two.

That is a lot of work! It gives a nice finish but it's a lot of work. While the insert is still on the lathe and after I have sanded to about 1000 grit, I put a small amount of Boiled Linseed Oil on a soft rag and apply to the spinning insert with just enough pressure to warm things. You will instantly see what the insert will look like finished. With the same cloth, I apply a enough CA glue to cover the insert while it is still spinning again applying enough pressure to warm things. Work that for a few seconds and the gloss will start to pop for you. Keep it going for a few seconds more. Apply another 2 or 3 coats rubbing the CA harder each time. You will get a super hard, high gloss finish in less than 5 minutes. The BLO tones down the plastic look of a CA finish.

This is a BLO/CA finish on lignum vite. It took less than ten minutes to take this from sanded to finished with no extra dry time.

[hardhat]

Absolutely beautiful Kevin, I have used CP but I could not get the results I wanted. Thanks for the CP tutoral.
Yes it is more time consuming but I would not call it work.

[JohnScott]

...Yes it is more time consuming but I would not call it work.

Getting beyond the craft and art involved, this is an absolutely great line.

John

[Chicago Flyfisherman]

Attachment 9555Attachment 9556

Spectacular. Really love the one at 2 o'clock on the first picture and 6 on the first picture.

Cheers,
Mike.

[hardhat]

Thank you Mike,
You have a very good eye. Both of those were cut out of the same piece of wood.

[sagebass]

Those are great looking. I just use boiled linseed oil on my seats. I reapply the oil every few months to polish them. But I don't get a high gloss finish. I may try kbproctor's method sometime. Does it matter what kind of CA glue you use?

[lastchance]

Those are beautifully done, guys.