reel box

[PFSchaffner]

I'm sure there's a fisherman or two out there who'll know this thing in an instant. It arrived as a donation last week, and most of those looking at it (none of them fisher folk) say "ice fishing"; the rest say "steel cable for ice fishing? no; must be for deep-water trolling." And is it actually home-made, or made from a kit? or what?





Here's a similar one on eBay, offered by a seller who also clearly doesn't know exactly what it is: http://r.ebay.com/lcsFkQ

[Aunt Phil]

It's made from a Victrola power unit, and I'll bet a Dollar the reel spins at 78rpm.

Definitely homemade, probably from plans in Popular Mechanics or a similar magazine.
Ptojects using Victrola motors were very popular in the 50s as people got electric record players.

[Yadda]

Sweet set up!