Dream Reamer Kit

Anybody own or use a dream reamer kit? Interested how they hold up? How much of a chore it is to change sandpaper? Also weather you use it more in a drill, or prefer to use it by hand?

Smernsky,
I bought the kit a few years ago and it has held up well. I only build around 3-5 rods a year and have yet to replace the sanding media. The kit really works well for roughing down to a taper. There are few times that I haven’t even needed to fine tune with a rattail file.

As for buying the whole kit, I would see if you could get individual “files.” I have only used the two smallest. But then again, I don’t really build much larger than a 8 wt. Works great in a drill, however I would use with cork and not use to shape I.D.s for wood.

I build several dozen rods per year and have used many products over the years.

I have two sets of Batson Dream Reamers and two sets of Swampland Professional Reamers. My preference is actually toward the Swampland product, although there are times when one is better than another at a certain stage with many grips.

While the idea of saving ones hands and going with power is attractive - you will actually end up with a straighter cut AND a better fitting grip when done primarily by hand. Many times I will use the smallest Dream Reamer to very carefully open the ID up a bit - but then I work from there by hand with the Swampland tools.

The Batson product is durable, but not as much so as the Swampland product. You would find this to particularly be the case since you like to utilize composite cork materials in your handle composition.

As far as installing new paper - that part is easy with a bit of contact cement. The really difficult part is removing the old paper which they obviously applied with special satanic glue and a welding machine.

For the benefit of all reading this post … I ONLY recommend that folks use files or professional reamers with paper adhered. NEVER use a grit based reamer. Grit can (read as will) embed in the cork grip and scratch the living dickens out of your high dollar blank.

Tampa…where or who offers the Swampland tools you mention? I’d like to do a comparison.
Thanks…Ed…oh .I also agree with your grit assessment.

MudHole has the Swampland reamers … look under “Tools”, “Reamers and Abrasives” and finally at the “Professional Reamer with Handle”. They are the original Swampland reamers purchased under contract by MudHole.

IF you are interested in building your own from glass blanks, so you can get the exact tapers and sizes that work best for you … contact Lance at Swampland (985-852-1703) and he will most likely sell you the special “gatorhide” that they use on the ones they build. Their abrasive is HANDS DOWN better than anything else on the market.

Thanks…