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Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: Brian Nelson (---.gt.res.rr.com)
Date: December 19, 2017 11:06AM

Question for rod builders:
Does anyone have (or has anyone had) experience using softwoods to turn reel seat inserts?
If so, are there any durability issues, since they are not as hard as hardwoods, or does the kind/type of finish used alleviate that?
I have no experience with this, but I've been eyeballing some softwoods that I thought would make some really cool reel seats, so I was just curious...

Thank you in advance for the input!

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Re: Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: Tom Kirkman (Moderator)
Date: December 19, 2017 11:16AM

Generally, the seat insert doesn't really do anything and therefore it's hardness is not an issue. Many seats utilize cork inserts, which are softer than just about any softwood. So don't worry about it. Use whatever you like.

..............

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Re: Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: roger wilson (---.hsd1.mn.comcast.net)
Date: December 19, 2017 12:58PM

Brian,
I have built a lot of rod grips using Cedar - which is a relatively soft wood. But Cedar is nice because if you elect not to apply any finish it is very resistant to moisture caused damage.

I have also built grips using diamond willow which is a soft wood, with a lovely pattern. It works very well.

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Re: Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: Ron Weber (---.tc.ph.cox.net)
Date: December 19, 2017 05:55PM

The softer the wood is. the more subsceptable to expansion and contraction from the elements. Also finish is a critical item based on penetration of water compounding the issue.

Ron Weber

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Re: Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: Phil Erickson (---.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net)
Date: December 21, 2017 02:09PM

All wood is hygroscopic (absorb moisture) soft woods more so than hard woods. So, best to coat with a finish that provides moisture protection if you wish to maintain the appearance.

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Re: Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: Brian Nelson (---.gt.res.rr.com)
Date: December 23, 2017 11:00AM

Thank you all very much for the input!
Tom-that's a good point about the cork inserts, which are pretty soft. Roger, that diamond willow sounds awesome!
So, what would be a good finish? Would, say, marine varnish work?
Thanks for the info!

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Re: Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: roger wilson (---.hsd1.mn.comcast.net)
Date: December 23, 2017 04:26PM

Brian.
Lots of folks use Tung oil with multiple coats.

Some folks use instant glue using waxed paper to level the coats and a final trip to the lathe for a final polish.

I personally just use 2- coats of flex coat thread guide coating, doing a light sanding between coats.

Here is a picture of a batch of Cedar handles after the 2nd coat of flex coat has been applied turning in the dryer.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Good luck



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/23/2017 04:28PM by roger wilson.

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Re: Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: Norman Miller (---.lightspeed.jcsnms.sbcglobal.net)
Date: December 23, 2017 04:47PM

Could always stabilize the wood before turning. [blog.woodturnerscatalog.com]
Norm

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Re: Softwood Reel Seats?
Posted by: Bill Sidney (---.gci.net)
Date: December 27, 2017 05:38PM

Roger the handles you put up on the photo section are out of this world , great job

William Sidney
AK

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