The World's First 3D Printed Spinning Reel!

My friend Michael Hackney, author of the great The Reelsmith’s Primer and other works on making fishing reels, is always on the cutting edge.

He wrote me recently about making the first functional spinning reel with a 3D printer. I believe this is the wave of the future, and not surprisingly, Michael is right on the edge. Here’s what he wrote:

I’ve now finished the first functional prototype of a 3D printed spinning reel. It is loosely modeled off the Illingworth second model. It is fully functional, completely 3D printed spinning reel that I believe is a "first". The reel features a bail-less line retrieve with a low friction pulley, an oscillating spool to smooth the uptake, a click check, and an adjustable friction spool drag. This is the very first functional prototype. It is still a little crude but that will be addressed in the next few iterations. The reel currently has 13 printed parts. The finished reel will likely have 17 parts. There is no other hardware, it's ALL plastic!

For more photos and a video of it in operation Click Here.

Thanks, Michael, for sharing this with us!

— Dr. Todd

Thursday Review: The Reelsmithing Forum

Thursday Review: The Reelsmithing Forum

Have you ever wanted to make your own fishing reel? I have. In fact, it has been a burning desire of mine. I started out with wood, making simple ice fishing reels, but what I've always wanted to do is make an actual, functioning fishing reel from metal.

But where to start? There are absolutely no manuals, instructions, or advice available in books. Even on-line there is almost nothing of use. Besides, getting into metal working can be a daunting task. What is needed is a sage to lead us out of the wilderness.

Which is why Michael Hackney should be commended for founding his Reelsmithing Forum, the first web site and chat board dedicated to the art of reel making. What a revelation! I remember coming across Michael over a year ago when he posted a hand-made fishing reel on his Eclectic Guy blog. What was amazing about this reel is that it was made entirely with hand tools.


I knew I had to contact him and encourage him to write a book on the subject, as there was no one out there doing what he was doing. He agreed, and not only did he pen an awesome new book on the subject, but he also opened up the new Reelsmithing Forum web site.


Now we have a start for those interested in making fishing reels, and from the looks of things, there are a lot of people like me who are fascinated by the subject. I strongly suggest if you have even a passing interest in the subject to go off and explore the forum and see what kind of reels others are making. They are wonderful and functional and look to be a blast to make. I plan on doing one over the summer, and will let you know how it works out!

The Reelsmith Forum can be found by Clicking Here. Michael Hackney's new book The Reelsmith's Primer can be found by Clicking Here.

-- Dr. Todd

Thursday Review: EclecticGuy's Blog

Thursday Review: EclecticGuy's Blog

One of my favorite fishing-related blogs on the web is the EclecticGuy Blog, run by Michael Hackney. Michael writes about a lot of things you simply cannot find anywhere else on the web. For example, he is one of the first to talk in depth about Tenkara, which you'll remember from this Tuesday's "Voices from the Past" column.

One of the other awesome things Michael covers is making fishing reels from scratch, without a machine shop. Pretty amazing stuff, actually! Here's an example of his work:


Michael also makes fishing rods by hand, and is an acclaimed soccer photographer, among other things. Too bad he couldn't have taken a photo of my face one minute into the F.A. Cup this year when my beloved Everton took a 1-0 lead. Alas, they lost.

EclecticGuy's blog is definitely worth visiting regularly, as one is never quite sure what Michael is going to write about. But one thing is for sure: it will be cool!

-- Dr. Todd