Chuck, I just buy the skeleton and turn the wood to fit. There are
a variety of skeletons available, many use a mortise which I don't
do. When I first started doing it I bought a bunch of skeletons for
Hook and Hackle. They are made of brass with nickel or titanium
carbide plating and sell for around $12.00. They are a knock off one
of the styles Struble sells, but Struble's are made entirely out of
nickle silver and cost a lot more.
I tried selling them on eBay for a while, but it was too much
hassle. People don't go on eBay to spend money, they go looking for
bargains. Getting more than $20.00 for a finished insert and
skeleton was pushing it, and after subtracting all of the costs and
fees I was only making about $6.00 per insert. So now I just sell
the inserts to friends and a rod builder in Idaho for a flat $6.00.
All the money I make goes back to buying new and exotic woods, which
is the real reason I do it. I have over 30 varieties now, (and a
few of them have nasty side effects like Cocobolo).
It is a fun hobby, it is a lot like prospecting, you never know what
you are going to get. Some woods look spectacular when looking at
the entire plank of lumber, but when you cut out a small piece to
turn it is disappointing. Other woods don't look like they will be
much, but surprise you. And since the piece you are working on is so
small, you get results very fast.
I started out mostly interested in burls, but after a while they all
start looking the same. I find myself now drawn more to woods that
have interesting figure, holographic features and rich colors.
Tom Davenport
On Jan 18, 2007, at 11:44 PM, Chuck Alexander wrote:
Tom: On the reel seats, are there reel kits that you buy that use
the wooden seats??? Or how does that work??? Thanks, Chuck
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Davenport
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 11:05 PM
Subject: Re: [VFB] Trial by Cocobolo
Last night I planned too see my doctor and even made arrangements
for a substitute. But by morning I felt improved enough that I
cancelled the sub and ended up going to work. Today was the first
day of the new semester and I have all new kids starting Digital
Photo. I still get excited to start a new Semester, with new faces
and another chance to "get it right".
Anyway, the most disturbing symptoms are gone... breathing
difficulties and flu like symptoms... I am left with just a LOT of
itching. I noticed that I have some nice blistering going on
between my toes, in other bad spots its just rash.
In a couple of months I'll try turning Cocobolo one more time.
When I am turning (not cutting) I have excellent dust control, I
can hold the shop vac right on top of the area being turned or
sanded. It's cutting with the bench saw that drenches me in
sawdust, so maybe I can still turn this beautiful wood.
Tom
On Jan 18, 2007, at 4:36 PM, Richard Zieger wrote:
I would go see your personal physician.
An epi shot or maybe some strong topical cream would help this go
away much fast.
From a allergy suffer.
Rick
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