Head over to the Tenkara Angler website to see my latest article, Design Study: 3D Printed Tenkara Line Winding System. In it, I recount how I designed a novel device for winding Tenkara line. Here in this blog, you can find extras that didn’t make it into the main article.

(Cover Photo) Final design of the Tenkara line winding device.

About The Extras

My process for writing starts with pictures. I try to tell a story using pictures, and then fill in the gaps with words. In some cases, the final draft will come out shorter than planned, and I’m left with a lot of extra visuals. My recent article is one of these cases.

Despite being non-essential for the story, I still think the visuals are interesting. In the rest of this blog, you’ll find lightly annotated visuals that I created during the process of writing my article.

If you haven’t already, be sure to read my article for some much-needed context.

Sources of inspiration for (first) the winder, and (second) spool design.

The First Attempt

My first attempt to design the device ended in failure, something I mention in the article. I use that failure to sets the stage for the triumph of the second attempt. However, I’d like to pause here spend a little more time examining that first attempt. I’ve complied some relevant sketches, renders, and photographs below.

Sketches, renders, and prototypes of the line winder.

Renders and prototypes of the line spool.

The Second attempt

When I returned to this project for the second attempt, my process had matured. I spent more time doing ideation and validation. In turn, I generated a lot of intermediate forms. I’ve complied various sketches, renderings, and photographs below.

Assorted sketches of the winder. Chronological from left to right, top to bottom.

(First) Ergonomic validation prototypes, (second) ergonomic refinement prototypes, (third) functional prototypes.

Renders of the final line winder design.

Development of the spool’s central design, in chronological order.

Sketches, renders, and prototypes of the spool.

Videos

I need to make more videos of my little gadget in action, but in the meantime, check out what I have:

An animated explosion of the line winder and spool assembly.

The line winder and spool in action.

Winding line on the spool without the winder.

That’s All

Thanks for checking out the extras from my article. If you’re interested in getting your hands on one of the line winders for yourself, check out my store Tea & Trout. And as always, feel free to reach out with any thoughts or questions. Until next time~