Has anyone attempted to shorten aluminum reel seats? I like the feel and size of the PBay A8L2's and the A8's, but the length is certainly more than I need for the reel feet we come across. I was thinking, how about a cut with a Metal chop saw or maybe a metal saw of some sort?

Any experiences and advice would be appreciated.

Domenic Federico
Infinity Rod Creations

If you have access to a metal lathe you can chuck the reel seat and cut it to whatever length you like.

Andy Snedden

you can cut it with a hack saw then burnish and straighten the end on a grinding wheel



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2006 02:48PM by Steve Gardner.

you can certainly use a fine hacksaw, i would also use a mitre box but my first choice after a lathe(if i were rich) would be an xacto mitre box with the fine mitre saw they make.

I use a home-done vee-block, and a hacksaw. It's square enough at the edge of the vee-block. Why.. Because the threads are at the back of the bus, and the end cap deals with the edge, which I smooth over with the dremel and a fibre cut off wheel.
Home done vee-block: two pieces of metal angle stock, welded together on the outside of the angle, to make an "x". Round stock then is supported inside the angle (the vee), and cannot roll away.
Works for me...your mileage may vary..

whichever way you choose make sure to wrap tape around the seat to pevent scratching.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

After you cut it get a fine tooth file and file it square.

Thanks again!

Domenic