#supertuning

Packaging your reel for shipment

We get many reels in different conditions.  From new in the box to 50+ year old treasures from grandpa.  When we package a reel to send back to the owner special care is taken to protect your investment.  First we always use Priority Mail Medium boxes.  They are brand new boxes and nice and rigid.  We wrap each reel in bubble wrap.  We line the box with larger bubble wrap.  We place your reel in…

I have learned to give myself adequate workspace that has great lighting and no clutter. These steps help keep the process of dismantling, cleaning, inpecting and restoring reels much easier and efficient.  Wayward parts are more easily found when your space is well lite and free from clutter.  I find the light background helps me more easily identify cracks and excessive wear on parts.  I use a simple magnifying glass to inspect parts.

Give yourself easy access to all needed tools, oils, greases and chemicals.  Speaking of chemicals, I try to have a minimal impact on the environment by using Simple Green for primary my cleaner with Dawn dish soap.  Vinegar is used to remove the green corrosion on chrome plated brass parts.  I use cloth rags instead of paper towels. I use washable containers instead of paper cups and trays.  Reels are separated into stainless steel trays for cleaning.

tools

Lubrication

Work bench

Dismantle reel and move small parts to small cup.  Large parts into stainless steel tubs for either soaking in detergent or vinegar.  In severe cases where large amounts of old grease I  will use brake cleaner spray to expedite the cleaning process.  It does not take much to remove all the parts from metal parts.  No plastic parts in this solution as they will be destroyed quickly.   Bearings into separate containers to soak in lighter fluid.  I generally let the reels soak in detergent over night.  Then hot water bath and dry.  If additional cleaning is required  I use Simple Green and wipe clean.  Then a good rinse in hot water and wipe dry again.

Inspection is a critical part of the process.  Gears, pinion, drag washers, gear sleeves, side plates, anti reverse dogs, etc…  Use a magnifying glass to look at the parts.  Small cracks and dings in gears is much easier to identify with a good light and magnifying glass.  Pay special attention looking for corrosion.

What gets greased verses oiled?  What type of grease goes where?  I use several types of grease for different reels and conditions.  Screws and screw holes, plates and interiors get a marine grade grease that stays where you put it.  A light coat is needed to prevent corrosion.  Drags get a different grease.  I use Cal’s the old stand by.  I use it on all Carbon drag washers.  Better to be safe than sorry.  Saltwater intrusion under the drag washers destroys washers and main gears.  Fast oil such as TSI-321 is used on all spool bearings.  I grease all others with a marine grade grease.

Lastly, use the right tool for the job.  In many small reels and spinning reels, the screws are tiny and soft.  Using the right fitting tool makes a world of difference and can either make your maintenance a success or utter frustration when removing a stripped screw.  A good indicator when considering buying a used reel is to look at the condition of the screws.  If they are mangled and marred chances are the previous owner did not have the right tools.  Or worse yet, who ever he paid to do service on it did not use the right tools.  Be cautious as this could be an indicator of what is on the inside.  That being said, I have seen reels that appear to be unused on the exterior, only to find that the interior has been completely corroded from a lack of grease and oil.   Good luck and keep it clean, and green!

Handles and Knobs

Stainless steel gear sleeves

Steel or stainless steel gears and pinions, yokes etc.

Drag inserts and multi drag washer upgrades

Stainless steel dogs

Custom aluminum frames

Aluminum Spools

Aluminum cross bars

Stainless steel cross bars

Custom eccentric levers

All in you can invest a considerable amount in a reel that is 30+ years old.  Most parts are still available for most models.  Considering the vast number of upgrades available it really speaks to the engineering and reliability of these iconic reels.

2/0 Complete

Penn 350

Penn 350M

Penn 209 LH

Newell R220-5 Fishing Reel

It is inevitable once you start down the Newell road, you will be lured into the pretty colored Newell’s from yesteryear.  I started with a P220-5.  Amazed at its weight, strength and casting, I soon had a 229-5, then a 332-5, than 338-5, than a 540-5 and then stumbled upon a R220-5.  Just something about these colored reels are amazing.  They command a premium on the market and I guess it is…

Fishing Reel Bearing Removal Tool

I bit the bullet and shelled out the cash for a miniature bearing removal tool from Reel speed.  I got a Newell reel in that had the bearing corroded into place in the bearing cup.  In the past this would have been soaked in penetrating oil, heated, cooled, repeated until it either came out or a new bearing cup was required as my patience wears out.  Either way it was safe to assume the bering…