The Quick Lock is the part that screws onto the reel seat and holds it in place. Because I made the grips from a special cork, I wanted this part to match. It's not complicated to make, but you have to be very careful, as there's only a thin layer of cork left once it's turned, and too much haste could split it.
Step 1: Gluing and cork selection
To make this Quick Lock, I chose the same cork as for my grips, but above all I decided to place a thin washer (Burl Burnt model 6.35 mm thick) of softer cork on the lower part of this part. Indeed, this part will be the thinnest (1 mm at most) and the tenderness of this cork will prevent any cracking when working with the Quick Lock.
So the first steps are to glue the washers together, then ream them to the diameter of your threaded rod to fit it onto your wood lathe.
Step 2: Roughing and shaping
Next, sand with 80-grit sandpaper to bring your piece to the desired diameter, then work the shape with 240-grit sandpaper for greater precision and a clean finish.
Step 3: Reamer and cut
Then ream (bore) the inside of your part to bring it (almost, as you keep a safety margin) to the diameter of the Kdps tube (screwable part of the reel seat). Be careful to ream at low speed and exert little pressure on the cork (it must be able to turn in your hand if it locks on the reamer).
Cut the Kdps tube to length with a cutter.
Step 4: Finishing with a Dremel
Finally, to bring the inside diameter of your workpiece to the right size, work on it slowly with the Dremel. Put your tool on the slowest speed...
Your part is now complete.
Step 5: Gluing
Once your piece is finished, simply add a ring (if you wish), glue it to your Kdps and press for a perfect finish.
Your Quick Lock is now complete. It takes about an hour to complete, if you take the time to do it carefully and meticulously.
