Line winder.

[John Rist]

Does anyone still make and sell a line winder?  The kind that fits a standard line reel.

[John Rist]

I couldn’t find a source for a line winder so I decided to clone the one I had.  The aluminum bar stock and maple rod stock came from McMaster-Car.  The 1/16” plywood disk and screws came out of my junk box.

Clamping the bar in a vice and taping it with a hammer bent the Aluminum bar.  The angle of the dangle was achieved by aliening it up on the drawing.

The 7/8” round rod turned out to be a tight fit in the center hole of the line reel.  I drilled the wood screw hole in one end and inserted a wood screw leaving about a ½” of screw sticking out.  I sawed off the head of the screw.  This left a stud sticking out that allowed me to chuck up the rood in my drill press.  I then sanded the rod until I had a loose fit in the center hole of a line reel.

By the way the 1.5” diameter 1/16” plywood disk is something that I added to the winder that I bought years ago.  On some of my line reels the winder tended to cock sideways in the reels oversize center hole.

As it says on the drawing, I sized the holes to fit the screws I found in my junk box.

The pictures are of the finished winder and the drawing of the parts needed to assemble one.

What got me going on this project is we have a new member in our club.  I am working with him to help him come up to speed.  He flew years ago and is getting back into the hobby.  I was surprised that no one sells a line winder.

Anyway it was fun project.  As it turns out it wasn’t that hard to do.

[Perry Rose]

A one inch long piece of plastic pipe that fits over the handle to hold the reel steady while winding.

[Dave_Trible]

As a one-up,   I went to watch a combat contest this spring.   One guy had something like what you have but attached a small electric screwdriver (battery) to it and just pressed the button.  Winds the line easy and pretty fast.   I have a screwdriver like that I don't use for anything.......

Dave

[Dan McEntee]

   I just use my fingers.  A handle is nice, and looks like it would lay flat in a flight box. Maybe after I get past a dozen other projects.
     Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee

[John Rist]

Speaking of one up. In the past we have converted kite line reels into control line reels.  The winder is built in.   

[Dennis Toth]

John, Brodak line reel comes with the plastic center post and you just use your finger in the outer hole to wind. (https://brodak.com/015-x-2-x-60-insulated-braided-steel-control-line.html)

Best,  DennisT

[Brett Buck]

As a one-up,   I went to watch a combat contest this spring.   One guy had something like what you have but attached a small electric screwdriver (battery) to it and just pressed the button.  Winds the line easy and pretty fast.   I have a screwdriver like that I don't use for anything.......

Dave

     How you keep tension on it? Sounds like a formula for a bird's nest.

      Brett

[John Rist]

John, Brodak line reel comes with the plastic center post and you just use your finger in the outer hole to wind. (https://brodak.com/015-x-2-x-60-insulated-braided-steel-control-line.html)

Best,  DennisT

Yes but only on the bigger reels.  The standard reel is still a pain to wind up the lines with ought a winder.

[Dave_Trible]

     How you keep tension on it? Sounds like a formula for a bird's nest.

      Brett

As I recall he reeled with handle attached.  The drag on the ground was enough.  I wind by hand (still) but always leave the handle on too and it’s enough.   Actually never understood why anyone takes the handle off anyway-as long as you have the lines and handle dedicated to one airplane it seems pointless.

Dave

[Dave_Trible]

Here’s the little bugger.  I forgot- it’s rechargeable.

[John Rist]

Here’s the little bugger.  I forgot- it’s rechargeable.

That's what I need. Another item that needs charging before I go to the field.   

[Motorman]

You can wrap the lines around your leg to control the tension as you wind them up. I though everybody did it that way.

[Dave_Trible]

You can wrap the lines around your leg to control the tension as you wind them up. I though everybody did it that way.

Now we understand about you..........

Dave

[Reptoid]

     I have never understood the need for anything other than a "Pylon" type reel for any lines. Been flying for over 65 years and can still wind in a set in under 30 seconds using one finger for a pivot and one finger to wind. I've tried and owned other reels and methods but this simple way always works, stores easier than bulkier ones and the reels hold everything from 1/2 A lines to 70 footers. I leave one end connected to apply minimal tension for winding and do the same to unwind.

[Steve Helmick]

As I recall he reeled with handle attached.  The drag on the ground was enough.  I wind by hand (still) but always leave the handle on too and it’s enough.   Actually never understood why anyone takes the handle off anyway-as long as you have the lines and handle dedicated to one airplane it seems pointless.

Dave

I wind the lines from the handle end, toward the plane. Benefits? 1) The plane stays where it sits, unlike the handle would, which I don't like dragging across the pavement or through the weeds. This also takes care of the tension while winding quandary. 2) The handle fits in my hip pocket. 3) By removing the handle, the lines and handle fit in a quart ziplock bag and then fit fine in the top of my cheezy plastic tool box. 4) I typically remove the handle and wind the lines up to the plane when leaving it in the pits, so my lines don't get stepped on or otherwise mutilated.
There are two ways to do this. I like mine, and you like yours. But I'm right, so....  Steve

[Perry Rose]

     How you keep tension on it? Sounds like a formula for a bird's nest.

      Brett

I stake the handle to the ground when winding the lines. Also when retrieving the plane after a flight. An absolute must when flying alone.

[Doug Moisuk]

     How you keep tension on it? Sounds like a formula for a bird's nest.

      Brett

I step over the lines and the lines are between my legs for tension. Also cleans the lines. Works with jeans but not white pants. 🤓

[Howard Rush]

Does anyone still make and sell a line winder?  The kind that fits a standard line reel.

Dan Rutherford made me a nice one. It’s in a pawn shop in Dallas.

[Curt D Contrata]

Here is mine…

Promised I would not say who made it.

Miss you Mr. Patriot…

Curt

[Curt D Contrata]

I know,,, No hard point, but this is over 20 years old and good enough to make top 5 in the day.

I think the inner core is wrapped in unobtanium.

Curt

[Dave_Trible]

Maybe you went to that pawn shop in Dallas?

Dave

[Istvan Travnik]

Dear Friends,
I simply cannot understand, that 70 years were not enough for invent the THIRD hole in the reel?!
When you have another upwinding hole on the opposite side, you can very quickly, and absolute safely roll up the lines, with a "bycicle-driving-like" movements with your left and right pointer fingers.
(You can easily drill the third hole: buy a 20 mm dia "crown drillhead", and some drops of water... )
I made a number of different designs: First ones made of open reel taperecorder's reel, still in 1969, now I can collect empty filament-reels as raw material from  3D printer colleagues: very strong, water clear, machinable by discsaw, lathe, milling machine and crown-drill. Beautifully gluable with some drops of chloroform... (It is Polycarbonate)
On demand I put photos up, just ask me!
istvan