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3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:43 am
by 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
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v1 ... 3207-3.jpg[/img]
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v13 ... 2722-3.jpg[/img]
I have a few tweaks to make to finish it off and then I'll post the STLs on Thingiverse.
Regards,
Michael
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:00 am
by Orenfor
great idea... i will happy to see how will it end and work
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:49 pm
by Batteau62
Looks great! Can't wait to see the final one. And many thanks for sharing the stl's

Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:38 pm
by Eaglezsoar
Would this help to catch a 3D printed fish?
(Just kidding, good job Michael)
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:58 pm
by mhackney
That's a great idea! I need a 3D scanner to scan a trout to print!
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:03 am
by mhackney
8 Parts, no other hardware:
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v11 ... 4524-3.jpg[/img]
(The handle has the spindle already inserted in it.)
Assembled reel:
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v12 ... 6544-3.jpg[/img]
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v12 ... 9982-3.jpg[/img]
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v96 ... 5104-3.jpg[/img]
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v24 ... 3351-3.jpg[/img]
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
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:35 pm
by Batteau62
That's very, very cool Michael! Can't wait to see the plans for printing the rod

Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:56 pm
by McSlappy
This is awesome, have you used it?
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:22 pm
by Eaglezsoar
Batteau62 wrote: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.

Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:54 pm
by mhackney
Eagle, believe it or not, I've been working on that!
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 8:28 pm
by Eaglezsoar
mhackney wrote:Eagle, believe it or not, I've been working on that!
This I just have to see, a 3D printed fly?
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:04 pm
by 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).
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 1:39 am
by Orenfor
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:49 am
by 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.
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:27 am
by mhackney
Thanks guys. Boy, my email inbox and PM in boxes on the various forums I frequent are running over!
cheers,
Michael
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 12:06 pm
by 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:
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v79/p24460828-3.jpg[/img]
cheers,
Michael
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 4:51 pm
by mhackney
Here's one of these reels in Bling Bling Gold (Faberdashery) and black PLA:
[img]
http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v76/p7409526-3.jpg[/img]
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:24 pm
by Eaglezsoar
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.
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:38 pm
by 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...
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:53 pm
by Eaglezsoar
mhackney wrote: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......
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:18 pm
by 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
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:40 pm
by 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.
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:43 pm
by 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
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:48 pm
by bubbasnow
purple is ok.. i think we need some hot pink ones!
Re: 3D Printed Fly Fishing Reel
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:50 pm
by 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!