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
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.
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.
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.
Spectacular. Really love the one at 2 o’clock on the first picture and 6 on the first picture.
Cheers,
Mike.
Thank you Mike,
You have a very good eye. Both of those were cut out of the same piece of wood.
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?
Those are beautifully done, guys.
I use a thick CA. You can use the same spot on the cloth to apply both the BLO and CA for multiple applications. It seems to help the polish for me. I have tried with blue shop towels and soft cloth and like the results with the cloth better but both work.
I’m always in awe of the incredible talent we have on this board! You guys blow me out of the waters!
<ummm … by the way … if you ever need anyone to “test” these reel seats/grips, please let me know. My arm can easily be twisted!!>
Betty I will be turning some reel seats later this month. I will try some osage orange, and a few other woods. Let me know if you have a flavor in mind.
It has to be in downlocking hardware for Betty!
Well … yaa-uuuh!
Getting beyond the craft and art involved, this is an absolutely great line.
John