Just posted a photo of my first Tenn. handle built on a Texalium tube and wrapped on with "E" size thread. Takes a while to wrap even after removing the reel handle and spool. didn't remove the bail.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Looks good Jay!
I don't remove the bail either.
Have you a chance to fish it yet?

Unless you just like the look? There is really no need to use size E thread. I use size A, and have never had a failure.

SWEET, Jay!!!! I really like it!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Can you counterbalance it while you wrap it to make it turn easier??

Thanks Mike.
Steve ; I built it for my brother-in-law who lives in Georgia. He wanted a green one and that's exactly what he got. I never fished it but it felt good in the hand. He picked it up Sat.
I used "E" thread because I figured it would be a little quicker and I would be less apt to break it while trying to wrap around the reel. I'm sure "A" thread would serve the purpose just as well as "E".

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

John, you certainly could. You could counter balance with another reel if you could get it out of your way. I used a hand wrapper and had her strapped down pretty tight with velcro straps. I had 4 "V" racks on a 48" wrapping jig and had her strapped in each rack. The reel would stand out horizontally and not drop, that's how tight it was. It really wasn't hard to do, just takes a while.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Jay;
Your thoughts on size E thread make sense, but the only threads I’ve had problems breaking have been metallics. Every time I do one in metallic I tell my self I won’t do another, then after I’m finished. They look so good I end up doing the next one in metallic.
I’m hoping the Fish Hawk metallics will solved the breakage problems. I stretched them playing around, and they seem to be a lot stronger then the other metallics I’ve used.

I noticed that it looks like you did not prep the reel feet, using the E size thread may make it easier to wrap up the ridge. When I’ve tried it with A thread it caused to many problems which is why I started prepping mine.

I hope your brother in law appreciates how much work you put into that rod for him!

I’ve never used a counter balance to wrap my reels on, however just recently have been loaned a devise built just for that purpose. But all I’ve built for the last few weeks have been bait casters.
After I’ve used it, if the owners don’t mind I will post the results of how it works.

Steve;
Knock on wood I never broke any of the Metallic thread. I was really afraid I would break the Metallic. Not so much worried about the "E".
I did grind the reel feet down real sharp, just like I do a guide foot. The angle was quite steep but not so steep that the "E"thread wouldn't climb right up on the foot and stay there. Using "E" or even "EE" definitely helps in climbing up on the reel foot.
One thing I noticed that helps the wrapping and the looks. As you wrap , pack often on the side opposite the reel foot to keep the thread running at right angle with the handle. In other words, as you wrap up the incline, the thread will tend to naturally pack itself on the incline and be loose on the opposite side of the foot., if that makes sense. If you don't pack the thread on the opposite side of the reel foot, the thread will be running around the handle on a slight angle, enough that you can see it.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

I absolutly agree with your statement on packing

Jay, that is a really nice piece of work.

it looks nice. i am sure your brother- in -law will be very pleased

JB,
Great job.

However, what happens when the reel needs service or it breaks?
I assume that you will cut the reel off the handle.

Yes, it is beautiful and takes a lot of work to thread a reel to a tennessee handle.

However, all of the clients that have asked for this style handle - have simply asked for an open space where they can mount a reel.
Then, they all have simply used matching plastic tape to mount the reel. Easy quick, and it only takes a heartbeat to swap out a reel. Way to many problems with a thread wrap for a reel mount compared to the beauty of the finished job.

Many of my clients remove their reel after fishing trip, and certainly remove the reel when doing any fly in or trips where they are packing multiple rods in a tube to cover all possible fishing activities. The sad facts of the real world is that a thread wrapped on reel is not practical for most of the clients who use my services.

Beautiful job!!
\
Roger

Hi Roger; Repairs or bulkiness won't be a problem in this case. This rod will hang on the wall about 90% of it's life span if I know my client.
I agree with your reasoning 100%. I don't think I would mount one permanently for my own use. Although I do own a custom built that is wrapped . It was built in 1977 for me as a gift. Fenwick blank with a Cardinal 4 Zebco wrapped on it. Have used it very little. I really don't recommend wrapping the reel on for the very reasons you stated.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

I have been wrapping them that way since the early 80's. It is the only way a person can get one of my rods.
There are considerations when doing so, so they might not be feasible for every one,
But servicing a reel is not a problem unless you need to service the foot. (Which I’ve never had to do).
If my clients need to? They can bring them back to me for service. But none have ever taken me up on that. Choosing rather to do it themselves, or they have a regular service person that handles their reels for them.

If a reel breaks, you replace it just the same way you do if a guide breaks. If it broke on a trip you can still remove it and tape one up to get you through the week end. Then rewrap it when the trip is over.

Roger you are correct in that you need to know the client base you are working with.
My clients rarely remove their reels, and on the spinning rods I've built them, they never do unless they need replacing. It is also the reason I insist that they invest in top of the line reels, which are built to last.
Like I said I've been building this way since the early 80's and in all that time I've only replaced two. Both of which had been on the rods about 17 to 18 years. Before the reels just wore out.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2008 02:53PM by Steve Gardner.