Wooden Nottingham reel (working replica)

This is a functional replica of a wooden Nottingham reel of the type that has been in use since the 1850s. All parts are made from PLA and it is for display or light use only. The reel can be fished with (carefully), or displayed on my 3d printed centrepin reel display stand.

It prints in about three hours. All parts print without supports. Despite being a four colour print, it generates no purge waste, as the twelve parts all print in solid colour. Assembly will require a screwdriver and glue.

Print instructions:

Print using one of the attached print profiles; either AMS (2 plates) or non-AMS (4 plates). Use brown or wood PLA for the wooden reel body parts, silk gold for the brass parts, silk silver for the spindle and handle pins, and (I suggest) matte black for the handles themselves.

Assembly instructions:

• Trim the brims from the spineback and reel foot peg parts.
• Insert the reel foot pegs into the reel seat, and then glue the spineback into place over the top.
• Glue the front flange to the combined drum. The two meeting faces have a triangular plug-and-hole on one side and a circular plug-and-hole on the other to ensure correct alignment. Ensure no glue is squeezed out into the spindle cavity.
• Pass the handle pin through the handle grip and screw into the front flange with a screwdriver. Do not overtighten. Repeat with the other handle assembly.
• Apply glue to the inside face of the spineback. Pass the spindle first through the hole in the spineback, then the backplate. You will need to apply pressure to the backplate and spindle to make it pop in. Tip: align the z-seam of the backplate with the reel foot to conceal it.
• Slip the combined drum assembly over the spindle and screw on the retaining nut fully. The drum and handles should rotate freely.

If you print the reel, please leave a review to help others. If you have any problems please let me know.

Please check out my other designs.