Saltigas have arrived

[fishweewee]

I give up. I'm drawing the line at the one Van Staal reel I own. I have a humble Penn 706 as a backup.

If the VS croaks or otherwise fails me, I will blow it up at the local rifle range on the 200 yard line with a very large caliber rifle (.50 BMG might do it).

[ProfessorM]

I wouldn't go with the Aluminum. It is so yesterday and besides I am having a terrible time figuring out how to put a finish on it with another project I am attempting . Hard coat anodizing is really the only way to go, $$$., and very limited colors. Regular anodizing just won't hold up. Titanium is the way to go. Light, corrosion resistant,ultra strong, and you can anodize it if you want to. Downside $$$$$$$$ material cost, bitch to work with as far as machining and tool wear thus expensive labor cost's. Most everything I make at work for the last 8 or so years is made out of Titanium. All oceanographic stuff. You can't kill the stuff. I have seen it after several years at sea and no wear. Would make a great fishing reel but cost you 1200.00 bucks. At least that is what I would charge I figure if you are crazy enough to spend $700 you will spend $1200. Maybe someday when I get my own cellar shop set up I will take an old great reel and see if i can copy it out titanium with all the upgrades everyone wants. All I need is money and spare time Paul

[Nebe]

PM, if you made a nice titanium roller that fit on the 704, 706 and the slammers, you could retire

[piemma]

If any of you guys are serious about getting something going with a retrofit of Penns, PM me. I know people.....

[ProfessorM]

I am ready to retire

[JPowers]

Professor M,

If you ever make an all titanium Saltiga knock off..... I'm your first customer. I'll pay the $1200.00 !!

[ProfessorM]

Whoa now. I have never even seen one of these units yet. I am just thinking out loud. I probably would need a whole year just to sit down and look at the logistics. The actual making of the initial one could take another year, and that is if you could work full time doing it. That is the problem doing that type of stuff it takes many hours you can't rush. Making a solid body out of raw stock to copy a cast part would be very very time consuming. You wouldn't belive the engineering that goes onto something like that. Copying a conventional reel would be a little easier because of the body shape but still difficult. I think something along the lines of making better upgrades to existing reels out there now would be a better choice for someone like me to attempt. Problem is I have no where to do this other than work and I don't think the boss would be too thrilled with that, but I am trying to do something about that for the future. Paul