I received an email back in May from Hobby King listing the Sullivan 4" line reel for $4.75 plus shipping from Hong Kong . Now they do not list it any more. Anyway I remember many years ago the Norfolk Naval Base Hobby Shop had some kite flying line reels that were way better than we were using and they were cheaper. Long story made short; I looked online and found some Chinese kite flying line reels that I liked better and the price now is $2.75 each delivered to my front door. This reel is made of thick high impact composite. The reel diameter is 6.1". Then reel even has ball bearings. You know I had to buy 3 of them to play with.
Here is what the line reel looks like. The unit has a ball bearing roller that needs a little grease or oil. The metal triangle piece on the bottom right contains a plastic knob so it is easy to reel up your lines. The plastic body is tougher than our old control line reels.
Here is the line reel with the lines installed. A twist tie was used to retain the end of the flying lines. Note: the thumb and finger holes in the reel are designed for a small Chinese child. I can still insert my thumb and fingers in the holes only a little bit. A small picture hanger was used to hold onto the line connectors.
The new reel even comes with a fishing pole line guide for the kite string to exit the unit. I removed the fishing pole line guide.
You can cut a notch in the over hang section. This worked fine for me also. I am thinking of sawing off the over hang the next time. The piece of the over hang where the two screws are mounted will have to stay. That part covers where the ball bearings are installed.
To install a line connector hook or I used a small picture hanger. Drill though both sides of the reel with a #33 drill bit for the 4-40 flat head screw. Then drill a hole only on one side of the reel large enough to clear a phillips head screwdriver. A flat head screw was used so not to catch the lines being wrapped around the reel. I used a phillips head screwdriver for a counter sink for the screw (counter sink tool was too big).
Flat head screw is being installed to the hanger bracket.
Then a hole needs to be cut into the side of the line reel. A Dremel tool with a small cutting bit was used to grind out the opening. Then a picture hanger bracket was installed to hook the line connectors onto.
I found that Dexron transmission fluid works great to lube the ball bearings. Since the fluid is in a plastic container it should be fine to lubricate the ball bearings in the line reel. One drop of Dexron in four spots, (equal distance around the reel), in the gap there at the bearings. What a difference it makes. The line reel spins nice and free now. One reason to use the Dexron is because it does not absorb moisture. Bob Hubak told me that he used Synthetic grease. That is great also.
I got tired of losing those metal retaining reel clips at the flying field. So I went to the Dollar Store and purchased some Twist Ties. You can cut any length you need and wrap just about any thing we have.
I used this line reel this year at the Brodak Fly-In.
Bob Hudak came over to see what kind of line reel I was using in the pits. Of coarse I let Bob check it out. Next thing I knew Bob wanted me to send him an email with the website so he could get himself a few.
Since the Brodak Fly-In Bob sent me an email with a picture of how one of his club members modified the line reel his way with .032 wire bent to fit using 5/16 servo screws to hold. I liked what was done there. I never thought of it. I like to see how other modelers modify things. There is always a better way to do it.
So here is the link for the Chinese kite string reel.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Outdoor-Kite-Twisted-String-Line-Grip-Wheel-Winder-Tool-Reel-Ball-Bearing-Handle-/231870518062?
Topic: Ball Bearing Line Reel (Read 10820 times)