My New Line Reels

[john e. holliday]

Well after a flying session a couple of months ago I decided I needed a sturdier reel.  The little SIG type reels do take up a lot less space, but I don't know if it age or the way I abuse them.   They keep breaking the flange from the center piece.  On here in the forum is a picture of how I wind the lines up on them.  As I have two of the kite line reels I have modified in use now I decided to splurge and get four more.  One big advantage is the way I can now wind up lines.   Just finished modifying these today as The grand daughter has my vehicle so I can't work on the circle plus it was raining.  Hope you can see details in the pictures.

[Guy B Jr]

John, do they come with the fishing rod evelet or do you add that. Please show a closeup of that arm (with the eyelet attached).  Thanks!
Also, where is a good (cheap) place to buy them?

[john e. holliday]

They come with the eyelet arm which is also the cover for the bearings.  Have to remove it so I can cut it off.  These I got have no kite line and that is the way I want them.. Do a search on Ebay for kite reels.  Took several weeks to get mine.  Look closer at picture of the arm as it came off the reel.   The piece on the left is what I cut off.   Have to be care to not turn it over and let all the balls roll out.

[John Rist]

They work great.

[John Rist]

Best price I could find on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Blue-Outdoor-Kite-Tool-Ballbearing-Blue-Plastic-Reel-Line-Winder-DT/262546657758?epid=1652233925&hash=item3d210011de:g:B2YAAOSwY3BZFHDz

Free shipping from China.  Takes 2 to 4 weeks to receive.

[Avaiojet]

Best price I could find on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Blue-Outdoor-Kite-Tool-Ballbearing-Blue-Plastic-Reel-Line-Winder-DT/262546657758?epid=1652233925&hash=item3d210011de:g:B2YAAOSwY3BZFHDz

Free shipping from China.  Takes 2 to 4 weeks to receive.

John,

Just wanted you to know again you did a great job with the ones you did for me.

Thank you.

I think of you every Saturday at our flying field. Honest.

Hey! Free graphics and lettering next time you need them. Let me know.

Charles

[James Holford]

Glad you posted this. I have same reel and will make same modifications.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[john e. holliday]

I see John uses a block of wood to hold the ends of the lines.  If you look close at mine you will see holes drill around the edge.  I use a piece of wire looped to the ends of the lines and thread through the holes so they stay tight.   

[John Rist]

I see John uses a block of wood to hold the ends of the lines.  If you look close at mine you will see holes drill around the edge.  I use a piece of wire looped to the ends of the lines and thread through the holes so they stay tight.   

I like that ideal.  How do you hook the lines to start winding?      

[john e. holliday]

I drilled a slot to run the end of the lines through to a 2-56 bolt that I have going through the reel.  You have to look real close to see it in the picture.  Maybe a magnifying glass.   The lines wind up from handle end.   The wire through the little holes on edge of reel is for airplane end.   Leave up clip on the plane.

Hope pictures clarify my way of doing it.

[Lauri Malila]

I tried those reels for my towlines couple of years ago. I think I threw them away after the first contest trip. Unnecessarily heavy and fragile for frequent use. I can still find those bearing balls in my luggage.. L

[Matt Brown]

I’ve been using these reels this season as well. I ended up with 8 of them. I cut off the eyelet arm same as OP. I drilled a 3/32” hole in the inner rim and then sawed a thin slot with my razor saw to intersect the hole. Pretty much same as conventional reels. I had some thin stainless that I formed up clips pretty much like regular reels to hold the lines and handle snug together. I’ve been very happy with them. So much easier to wind in the lines and no friction burns on my fingers!

Matt

[John Tate]

I am glad to see all of the different modifications you guys have been doing to the line reels. Since my first post awhile back on the reels, the supplier that I used has sold out of all the reels. So now I am looking for the best deal like everyone else. This year at the east coast contests that I go to, there are more and more ball bearing line reels seen in the pit area.