I am going to start by making some of the stamped parts, which will require making blanks and them forming in my hydraulic press. My first part is the spring temper nickel silver finger washer. This washer is used to retain the spool tension knob to the reel, preventing it from falling off of the reel by applying constant tension to the knob between the knob and ebonite side plate. (See original pics of back plate). This part needs to be spring temper and required work hardening to provide the temper. I purchased 1/2 hard 0.032" thick nickel silver sheet stock and had to roll it down to 0.018" with a rolling mill. Once rolled to size, I used a jewelers hole punch to create the washer over sized. Made a jig to hold all the washer blanks and cut 8 v-grooves using a 60 degree double cutting end mill. At this point in time, I was wishing I could just buy a washer...........Once the blanks were made I designed a two part forming tool to use in the press to form their shapes. Just need to lightly sand and then polish to a high luster.
Now on to the reel foot stamping and tools for creating it.
