Anyone know the minimum size of a blank you can use to turn fly reel seat inserts? I have found some great material but is 5/8 x 5/8 to small?

I would consider it too small, I turn seats out of 3/4" stock and it's cutting it pretty close. I drill the blank first then turn it on a mandrel, but at that size there isn't much room for error, the hole has to pretty much be dead center.
john

Thanks for the reply, how are you drilling out your reel seats? I'm having a hard time getting the hole centered all the way through

William, What type of material are you using for the insert?

I'm am currently using exotic woods. I just found some places with pen blanks that are better than the wood that I am getting now. They also have some alternative materials that look promising but they may be to small.

William, You can use the 5/8" alternative materials if you cast them in resin. I take a piece of Tru-Stone 1 3/4" long, turn it between centers to a rough cylinder, center bore it, glue it to some brass tubing, turn it down 3-4mm smaller than your final insert diameter, cast it in resin, and turn your final insert. You can get three inserts out of one 5/8 x 5/8 x 5 inch blank.

I've found for me that 5/8 pen blanks are too small unless you're making inserts for very small inserts. Just turning it round you'll be 1/2" or smaller. Even 3/4" is close too close for the inserts that I turn which are about 11/16 finished. I like 7/8" or larger. If you're serching on the web look for "turning stock" rather than "blanks" There is alot of 1 1/2" stock that will make inserts with matching handles, or wood accent cork handles and winding checks.

Tony