The new Twine Spools are designed to be used with a battery powered drill, or wound by hand. The small size (shown above) will hold up to 300 feet of #18 mason twine and the large size will hold up to 500 feet. The small size will fit in the barrel (for storage) if the twine is wound evenly and not above the reel flanges.

The Reels are supplied as a kit with some assembly required. The hardware and line need to be installed to the spool. To assemble clear out the hole of support plastic using the machine screw or a similar diameter drill bit. Put one washer on the machine screw and put it through the deeper spool center tube toward the outer flange and through the hole. Add a washer and then the hex coupling nut on the outside. Tighten moderately. The hex coupling nut goes into the battery drill chuck for powered line retrieval. The drill is not supplied, shown above is the 12 volt Ryobi which is a nice small and light drill with lithium batteries that can also provide 11 volt power for your QRP radio.

To wind the line onto the spool put the end of the line through the small hole in the outer flange from inside the spool. Tie a knot large enough to keep it from pulling back through the hole on the outside, we use a figure 8 knot but it is not critical.

Put the spool’s hex coupler into the drill chuck and tighten. Set the drill to rotate clockwise when winding the line onto the reel to avoid loosening the hardware. Put the twine spool in a small bucket or box. Use a leather work glove on the hand that is guiding the twine onto the spool while the other hand operates the drill. Spread it evenly on the spool as it winds up. Use a rubber band to restrain the end of the twine.

When winding the line by hand care must be taken to avoid twisting the line. This can be done by winding 10 turns over one flange, and then turning the reel or changing hands to wind 10 turns over the other flange. This will produce twisting that balances out. If the line is wound over only one end it will introduce significant twist into the line.

When removing line from the spool insure that the spool spins. Do not take line off over one end of the spool as this will also introduce twist.

Alan, w6akb