3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel

[mhackney]

I've been working on this project for about a year. The goal: Print a working fly reel with no other hardware requirements. Originally, I was trying to not have to use glue either but now that I've made a number of prototypes, I think glue is necessary to get the strength needed and it isn't that big of a hassle. Here are some photos of the three part frame and foot assembly




I have a few tweaks to make to finish it off and then I'll post the STLs on Thingiverse.

Regards,
Michael

[Orenfor]

great idea... i will happy to see how will it end and work

[Batteau62]

Looks great! Can't wait to see the final one. And many thanks for sharing the stl's

[Eaglezsoar]

Would this help to catch a 3D printed fish?

(Just kidding, good job Michael)

[mhackney]

That's a great idea! I need a 3D scanner to scan a trout to print!

[mhackney]

8 Parts, no other hardware:

(The handle has the spindle already inserted in it.)

Assembled reel:








After printing, a little cleanup of the various holes with drills and some sanding on the central spindle and part edges is required. Then, the reel is glued together with ABS glue, Epoxy or CA glue.

Regards,
Michael

[Batteau62]

That's very, very cool Michael! Can't wait to see the plans for printing the rod

[McSlappy]

This is awesome, have you used it?

[Eaglezsoar]

That's very, very cool Michael! Can't wait to see the plans for printing the rod

I want to see him print the flies.

[mhackney]

Eagle, believe it or not, I've been working on that!

[Eaglezsoar]

Eagle, believe it or not, I've been working on that!

This I just have to see, a 3D printed fly?

[mhackney]

Yup, I am working on several different ones. One of the cooler ideas is to print a comblike shape and then wrap that around the hook to make a 3D printed Wooly Bugger (a popular fly usually made with feathers).

[Orenfor]

look at that link :

http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/01/2 ... hing-reel/

[Eaglezsoar]

Congrats to you Michael. It's good to see that you received some recognition for the 3D printed reel.
And I completely agree, an innovative designer.

[mhackney]

Thanks guys. Boy, my email inbox and PM in boxes on the various forums I frequent are running over!

cheers,
Michael

[mhackney]

Hey Folks, I've completed the revisions to my 3D printed reel and have a set of STLs and instructions ready to print. I'm looking for a couple of folks who will print and assemble a reel to test them. If interested, PM me your email address and let me know if you are a fly fisherman.

Here's how it goes together:



cheers,
Michael

[mhackney]

Here's one of these reels in Bling Bling Gold (Faberdashery) and black PLA:

[Eaglezsoar]

Here's one of these reels in Bling Bling Gold (Faberdashery) and black PLA:

That is a nice looking reel. Do you plan on adding these to the reels you sell? They certainly look like something that you could sell.

[mhackney]

Thanks Eagle, I've had a few collectors ask for one simply because they are unique. I don't think I could produce them profitably given how long they take to print! And, although they do indeed work and catch fish, they aren't "perfect". But, you have to start somewhere! Someday I can see 100 Rostocks all printing in parallel from the same program churning out reel parts...

[Eaglezsoar]

Thanks Eagle, I've had a few collectors ask for one simply because they are unique. I don't think I could produce them profitably given how long they take to print! And, although they do indeed work and catch fish, they aren't "perfect". But, you have to start somewhere! Someday I can see 100 Rostocks all printing in parallel from the same program churning out reel parts...

If you charged for machine usage (cost of machine divided by charge for usage, electricity) filament costs etc and correct the imperfections, I think you may be surprised at what a
premium people would be willing to pay not only for the uniqueness but the fact that it can't rust etc. My point is yes the reels would have to be costly but some would be willing to pay
that's why you should think twice about releasing the parts on the public domain. Just sayin......

[mhackney]

Thanks Eagle. I am still thinking about how best or if, to release the design. Right now, I have 3 others testing by printing and making a reel. I'm looking forward to their experiences. I've already been approached by two web sites that are marketplaces for 3D designs - basically, you post your STL and set a price and they sell them and give you the money minus their commission. Intersting business model, not sure how the RepRap world thinks about that! But, that's how PCs started out too - everything was free at first and now people spend $1000s for software - much more than the computer itself. It's a brave new world!

I am still working on making a novel 3D printed reel that won't have a metal/machined counterpart. THAT might be interesting!
cheers,
Michael

[Batteau62]

Hey All,
I was lucky to beta the mhackney fly reel
This is one of the best projects I've had the pleasure of producing on my Max. Here are some pics:

Michael did a fantastic job of designing the components. It's truly an elegant design.

[mhackney]

Very cool and thanks! Now we just need the ice to melt so we can take these out to the rivers! Until then, I keep one on my desk as "therapy" - theres something about turning a handle and hearing the click-click-click from a fly reel!

Cheers,
Michael

[bubbasnow]

purple is ok.. i think we need some hot pink ones!

[mhackney]

Funny you should say that! I just got some really great hot pink PLA yesterday and I'm printing the parts for a reel now!