I finally got around to having the shaft made for the grooming reel. Cost a little more than I anticipated, but in the end I am very satisfied with the way they did it. Ended up going slotted spanner nuts on either end, with the thread cut into the hex. This way I can load the reel all the way up as close to the bearing holder as possible. They also cut a woodruff keyway, rather than a straight key. The only issue I noticed when I picked it up that the thread they had cut for the 1/2" UNF thread for the sprocket nut was a little mashed at the very end of the thread. No big deal as the nut doesn't go that far on for it to impact anything.

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The shaft will have 60 of these blades. Not as sexy as the carbide tipped saw type blades, but many bowling clubs here in SA run these successfully. Blades will hopefully be in early next week. I will get my mower man to remove the blade from the sole-plate when I pick them up.
I'll update when its all done.