Okay heres the deal. I need to cut about 1/2 inch off the threaded barrel of an aluminum reel seat. I am about ready to take a hacksaw and just start cutting but can't see how I am ever going to get a square cut plus the blade will tend to follow the threads I am sure. What am I overlooking? Is there an easier way to do this I am not aware of? Thanks.

I've done it a couple of times, but only with Fuji graphite seats. Use a couple of bands of 1/4 inch masking tape as a guide. Do not cut in the same place - what I mean is go back and forth a few times, then turn the seat 1/8 of a turn, repeat until the seat is cut all the way through. Don't rush, and don't try to cut too much at once.

Not sure about the aluminum seat, but with the graphite a flat bastard file will give you a nice square edge. I picked this up from a few guys on this and other sites, and I'd like to thank them once again for all your help.

Billy

Try mounting the seat with tape bushings on a scrap piece of blank or wooden dowel and mount it to your lathe. Have the tape bushings protrude halfway out the end of the seat so that you can secure it by taping over the seat edge and bushing. Take a fine tooth blade and gently push into the rotating seat. Using tape guides at your cut line will help you target the cut. I have used this method for aluminum and graphite seats for years with no problems. Oh yeah, keep the blade square to the spinning seat during your cut.
If you don't have a lathe, use the same method and by hand cut small strokes as you rotate the assembly on your wrapper or v block a portion of a turn at a time.

Tony

I like to use a Dremel tool with an abrasive disc to perform the task. You can square it up with a disc sander or a file when finished.

Bruce Young
Landing Gear

Just put the nut where you want to cut and follow it, Just make sure you have the nut stable


Butch