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Originally Posted by John Sethian:

Andre

 

This, as expected is excellent!  My question/suggestion is how would you "age" the reel, so there is less contrast between the writing and joints compared to the wood.  

Thank you John!

this is just out of the oven!

I am making a kit to be assembled and weatherized according the customer taste.

But, you right this mock up have to be age for a real look.

Andre. 

The really big reels have a steel rim, like a tire, attached to the circumference of the sides. These rims prevent damage and wear to the edges of the reel.

 

The wood quickly becomes gray from the weather.

 

A "fallen flag" in the wire business is the Western Electric Co, which was part of the now-deceased Bell System.  Their trademark name is famous, even today.  Google "Western Electric" to see how their trademark name looked.  The font is called "Hawthorn" from the location of one of their major plants.

 

As a former telephone company employee, I'd like to have a couple of them with that name.

Originally Posted by Arthur P. Bloom:

The really big reels have a steel rim, like a tire, attached to the circumference of the sides. These rims prevent damage and wear to the edges of the reel.

 

The wood quickly becomes gray from the weather.

 

A "fallen flag" in the wire business is the Western Electric Co, which was part of the now-deceased Bell System.  Their trademark name is famous, even today.  Google "Western Electric" to see how their trademark name looked.  The font is called "Hawthorn" from the location of one of their major plants.

 

As a former telephone company employee, I'd like to have a couple of them with that name.

Arthur, thank you.

You are correct the big ones have steel rims.

Now, from a former telephone employee is the footprint attractive?

here is the logo you like i think will be easy to make it.

Andre.

Andre,

Very nice!  I would go for a couple of the Western Electric reels along with 4 of the Roebling reels.  John Roebling was a famous designer/engineer/ builder of bridges and came from the small town of Saxonburg,  just outside of Pittsburgh.  His most famous work is the Brooklyn Bridge.  He built others including one in Cincinnati that crosses the Ohio River into Kentucky and another in Pittsburgh-the Smithfield Street Bridge that cross the Monongahela River.  That bridge is still in use today and I believe is the second or third oldest steel bridge in the country.  Didn't mean to hijack the thread-just a little history.

 

Nick

Thank you to both Nick!!

no problem, I didn't know about the cable history until, Owen post the Roebling stuff today.

The interesting thing is some of the reels have a square hole instead round, this is another nice detail for the JAR.

BTW here the first finished.

Andre.

Last edited by AG
Originally Posted by WftTrains:

The very desirable post-war American Flyer S-gauge PRR depressed-center flat car carried a Western Electric Cable Reel.  I don’t have a photo handy but there’s probably one or more on that nameless auction site right now.

 

Bill 

Following up on my previous post, here’s a link to the page from the 1957 AF catalog with a drawing of the #936 PRR flat car with the Western Electric Coil: Gilbert 1957 Catalog Page 46

 

Bill

Originally Posted by Mike Miller:

Andre,

The look is really nice and very authentic looking.  I'd be very interested in one of the Roebling cable reels.  Do you sell them on a stand like the first finished Western Electric or just stand alone round ?

 

Mike Miller   

Mike thank you for your nice comment!

the stand is an option if you don't want it.

contact me at: andreemd@yahoo.com

Andre.

 

Originally Posted by WftTrains:
Originally Posted by WftTrains:

The very desirable post-war American Flyer S-gauge PRR depressed-center flat car carried a Western Electric Cable Reel.  I don’t have a photo handy but there’s probably one or more on that nameless auction site right now.

 

Bill 

Following up on my previous post, here’s a link to the page from the 1957 AF catalog with a drawing of the #936 PRR flat car with the Western Electric Coil: Gilbert 1957 Catalog Page 46

 

Bill

Bill,

thank you for the picture. very accurate reel.

Andre.

Originally Posted by Mike Miller:

Do you guys think these reels would look best or more appropriate on a stand, flat car or gondola ?  Also, what type of wire or rope would you wrap them with if not already supplied. 

 

Thanks,

Mike

 

 

Mike,

IMO if is on a flat car the stand is a plus, but if it will be on a gondola the stand is not necessary.

I was busy this week and now I am going to York.

So, if some one of you in going there will be good time to discuss it.

anyway Next week i will be making the first models for JAR reels.

Andre.

 

John Roebling designed and was in charge of the construction of, the Brooklyn Bridge (along with several other large suspension bridges) and died as a result of a crushed foot received from a boat while surveying the foundations for it. His son, Washington Roebling, took over the construction of the BB, and did indeed get the bends after ascending from a foundation caisson after directing efforts to extinguish a fire therein. In spite of constant after affects from this event, he managed to live 89 years.

 

P.S: Yes, the cable company was the same Roeblings.

 

 

Last edited by Owen Thurdee
Originally Posted by Mike Miller:

Does anyone know where to get cable/wire to simulate the real thing on these fantastic reels that Andre has crafted ? 

 

Mike  

I suspect that you could get heavier braided thread that is used for upholstery and carpets as well as braided fishing line, e.g., squidding line.

 

I actually use #2 surgical silk off a wooden spool,

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