As part of the curriculum of the engineering school I attend, I get to do a senior project of my choice. I am strongly considering building my own reel for this project. I was wondering if any of you knew of any good books or other resources that discuss the design and manufactor of modern fishing reels.

You've got some work to do.

First, your questions.

Good books? No. Maybe Salt Water Fishing Tackle, by Harlan Major. Try looking for it on Amazon.

Alternative sources? Yes: Internet. So much more info has become available thanks to the internet that there just aren't words to describe. Try doing homework here, on the old Charkboard, Dullcoast Sportfishing archives (I think they've moved, but should still be there somewhere) and importantly, the ORCA (Old Reel Collectors Association) Reel Talk Message boards with their gang of tech-oriented historians and picture dump. Browsing aimlessly through thousands of posts might be a little tedious though.

And lastly, the USPTO archives. So many reels, oh so many. Tens of thousands of brilliant mechanisms, most of which I dare say were never made. They're in Int. Cl number A01K, and go from there. (really, I hate the USPTO website. Try Espacenet.)

Most of what I just said bears strong historical reference. This because I strongly feel (modern reel companies prove me wrong all the time, but I still feel) that nobody can rightly make something new without homage or reference to that which has been done previously. And I often say, that very seldom is anything truly new in the world of reels. Your foray through the patent archives will show you so.

About building or making the reel, just do it. Shoot from the hip. Otherwise you might just get caught up in a neverending cycle of creativity and improvements in a quest for the World's Best Reel.

Have fun.
Doc.

Hmm.

Just reread your post... "discuss the design and manufactor of modern fishing reels."

Well, that's a little different. Maybe I went off on a tangent. Sorry.

Okay then, maybe a different approach... Phone up the production managers at some of the global reel giants like Abu Garcia and Zebco, and just give the same pitch you gave above... See what they say.

Or go smaller. Southern California has a number of reel companies, closer to home, most of whom are familiar to Chark and others who fly around these boards.

Just phone 'em up.

Thanks Dr. Rob you gave me a good start. My dream job would be to work for Accurate, so I am sure I would have to be familiar with the information provided by the resources you just mentioned. I look foward to getting started. Its good to see you back on the Charkboard.

Start simple, we don't need no stinking Shimanos.

Tear apart several reels and see what makes them work. Use your engeneering mind to make a better product, not a more complex one. Simple is better, if it works. Look at how the clutch/brake pack works on hydraulic winches for possable ideas.

I'd looking into running the drag before the gearing to give a mechanical advantage to the drag.

Drop your curent school and come up here to OIT. The fishing isn't as good here as it was when I was a kid but it's still cool to C&R on 10lb and up Redband trout!


BTW, I like my Shimanos but they do have far too many parts.

Haha for sure Keta. When you said take some reels apart I thought of my Shimano 400B and got a bad feeling.

Good thing I have some accurates and avets on hand to look at.

Penn has exploded views and parts lists of all of their reels on their website. Will these schematics help?

mmm...don't know 'till a take a look, thanks for the suggestion Agate

Try contacting Alan Tani.

http://www.senortuna.com/main/showthread.php?t=12887

He posts reel repair tutorials on several chat boards.

Allan knows reels!

I talked to him yesterday for about 15 minutes and learned several things.