Home Brew Throwline Spool/Reel

[Crow Horse]

I was inspired by Tree Machine's innovative winder and I thought it would be a fun and useful project to tackle. I'm not a pro and don't own a Big Shot and will probably only use it several times a year. At this juncture, it looks like it will serve me well.

I used a plastic spool that previously contained stainless guy wire that was used by the military. There wasn't a center handle but it has a hub that will accommodate a 5/8" CR round stock axle. I welded up a "T" handle/axle, pressed on 1/2" black pipe for a spacer and hand grip and cut the outer spool ring off leaving a lip.

There are several liabilities that I've found with this design, one being the stability of the T handle/axle approach as opposed to the center handle. The center handle that Tree Machine uses is stable while mine is probably close, but not on par with his. One asset is that the spool used is very tough. There are several refinements I want to incorporate into it, one being a rotating winding handle, but the existing winding handle works well as is.

Said in my best Rod Serling voice, "Submitted for your approval" (or rejection).

Special thanks to Tree Machine for his input and all the info he shared......

 

[D Mc]

It looks good but how does it work?

Dave

 

[Crow Horse]

So far, after a couple of tosses, it works well. The line comes off easily yet no tangles. I'm also pleased with how it reels in. Keep in mind that I'm only hand throwing.....

 

[Crow Horse]

I've fitted a rotating handle and secured the spool to the axle/handle. So far, I'm really pleased with it's performance. It retrieves the line smoothly and with authority.....

 

[treevet]

can you get a clean shot or throw right off the reel?

 

[Crow Horse]

yep, at least by hand. I don't have a Big Shot but I suspect it wouldn't be a problem.........

 

[Tree Machine]

Good one, Crow Horse.

 

[RacerX]

Nice work. Look very professional.

 

[Crow Horse]

Thanks......

I've since sanded and buffed the lip. I tried using heat, but the plastic didn't respond well........

 

[Crow Horse]

Put the finishing touch on my reel. I powder coated the "T" handle. I used it last week and it worked like a charm. The line peeled off the spool without any restriction.......

 

[treevet]

Put the finishing touch on my reel. I powder coated the "T" handle. I used it last week and it worked like a charm. The line peeled off the spool without any restriction.......

Looks great Crow Horse but my question would be how do you stop it from throwing line off the reel when you got enough out there for the shot? Can you just grab the line and it stops flowing off the reel?

I just went from a cord reel to buying some cubes and do you see this as an improvement over the cube?

 

[Crow Horse]

I honestly don't have any experience with cubes but I would think that if you could grab the line with a cube, then you could do the same with the reel/spool. My experience is limited so I don't want to steer you wrong.....

 

[ssurveyor]

It looks like a heavy duty kite string reeler.

http://www.sourcingmap.com/professional-kite-reel-with-lock-p-29952.html

 

[tree md]

Looks great Crow Horse but my question would be how do you stop it from throwing line off the reel when you got enough out there for the shot? Can you just grab the line and it stops flowing off the reel?

I just went from a cord reel to buying some cubes and do you see this as an improvement over the cube?

I bought a cube before I saw TM's reel. Here's where I think there would be an advantage:

The reel will not be effected by wind (wind blows your cube over, dumps your line and you have to take the time to flake it all back into the cube).

Also, from what I have seen of the reel (haven't used one) the line just peels off the thing when you shoot it. As big as improvement the cube is over what I was using, the line still gets caught up half the time and bird nests. Especially (again) in windy conditions. I had the wind blow my shotline into my bigshot twice today causing a bad shot and birds nest. It seems that the line reel would be an improvement on paying out line to me.

 

[Crow Horse]

Another advantage that I can attest to is the ease & speed of retrieval.....

 

[treevet]

Another advantage that I can attest to is the ease & speed of retrieval.....

I am just trying out the cubes. I have been using the electric reel for years and speed of retrieval is great as I hold it between my legs and use my finger like a guide on a bait casting fishing reel. The biggest advantage is on the first shot with your set up (TM's set up) as no line has to be flaked out. After a first miss....everything evens up with the retrieval and reshoot.

This is what I use but this pict is of micro bull line that I also use a reel for. I have 4 reels set up and 2 cubes now.

 

[Crow Horse]

The biggest advantage is on the first shot with your set up (TM's set up) as no line has to be flaked out. After a first miss....everything evens up with the retrieval and reshoot.

After a miss, I just rewind and give it another go. I would imagine it would still be a bit quicker than flaking after a miss. The first time I used it I had plenty of misses and the line layed in a lot of underbrush. Rewinding powered through the snags.......

 

[treevet]

Would love to see a vid of it Crow Horse.

I am head over on the cube after first day try. Easy set up...2 shots and 2 direct hits about 70 feet and easier than I thought flaking because of size of the cube opening. Got 2 of them easily under my pick up seat. Little interior pocket for the beanie. Also loving that lime green thro line I just bought.

I have destroyed many a throw line leaving it in the bed of the truck and all the slick coating bakes or washes off.

 

[tree md]

So what throw line did you get? Lime green?

I just got some Fling it. Haven't broke it out yet. I'm using Zing it right now. Can't remember the name of the material and have no idea what the difference is. I guess I'll see which if either is better or same...

Yeah, I really like the cube too. 100 times better than what I was using. I just get aggravated when it gets blown to kingdom come in our high winds.

 

[treevet]

The lime green. Dynaglide. It doesn't seem to kink. It is my fave now.