Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Heddon => Topic started by: xjchad on July 16, 2018, 10:55:56 PM

Title: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on July 16, 2018, 10:55:56 PM
Inspired by Mo's recent Heddon posts, I started looking around to see what was out there to play around with.
I had two criteria that had to be met. 1) It had to be cheap.  2) It had be something I'd fish.
I don't have much of a budget to work with.
I don't have space for collectibles, so I try to only buy stuff I'm going to fish with or resell.
Seaching ebay for Heddon reels, I came across this 277 spinning reel that was advertised as a "surf" reel.  I've been needing a new light tackle surf spinning reel so I placed a super low bid and a few days later I owned a Heddon 277  :)

Here's a few pictures of it right out of the shipping package.

(https://i.imgur.com/v5QuN80.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/rlmOpYs.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/hPwco4v.jpg)

First thing I noticed was the lovely sound of the AR dog clicking away  ;D
It's a bit dirty, but pretty good shape overall and turns nice and smooth.

Plan is to do the standard clean/lube/assemble and then spool it up with some 14 lb. Cajun Red mono and catch some fish.
I'll post more pics and questions as I get into it.
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: mo65 on July 16, 2018, 11:33:21 PM
   I'm anxious to see inside that reel, never been into one of their surf models. Schematics for these Heddons have eluded me so far, but around here we have Fred and Tommy, and they'll serve you better than any schematic! 8)
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: festus on July 17, 2018, 01:28:02 AM
Nice looking reel, nothing wrong with a Heddon, I've been looking for some myself.
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: Swami805 on July 17, 2018, 02:01:42 AM
Nice Chad, I had one as a kid I got with Blue Chip Stamps.
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on August 01, 2018, 05:58:38 PM
Started disassembly today.
First question is about the drag setup.
3 stainless steel washers and then 3 different material friction washers?
Top one is teflon, but what about the other 2?
I'll get some dimensions, I'm planning to just replace them with carbon fiber ones.

(https://i.imgur.com/rJK8u5G.jpg)
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: foakes on August 01, 2018, 06:12:49 PM
Pretty decent old reels.

Here is a box of a few Heddons, plus some NOS rotors and sideplates.

Likely have another 7 or 8 stashed in crates out in storage.

Is this little 215 the smallest?  Or is there a smaller one?

If I could make sense of the numbering system for these — it might offer some clues.  Will check the old shop manuals to see if there are any on these Heddons.

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: mo65 on August 01, 2018, 07:11:36 PM
Quote from: xjchad on August 01, 2018, 05:58:38 PM
3 stainless steel washers and then 3 different material friction washers?
Top one is teflon, but what about the other 2?

   That looks like the famous variety stack...one teflon...one brake lining...and one leather. Seen one sell for 4 thousand last week. :P
   Just kiddin' buddy! Get that camera a little closer, it's hard to tell whats going on there. Probably one of Dominick's resto jobs. ;D
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: festus on August 01, 2018, 09:15:09 PM
Quote from: foakes on August 01, 2018, 06:12:49 PM
Pretty decent old reels.

Here is a box of a few Heddons, plus some NOS rotors and sideplates.

Likely have another 7 or 8 stashed in crates out in storage.

Is this little 215 the smallest?  Or is there a smaller one?

If I could make sense of the numbering system for these — it might offer some clues.  Will check the old shop manuals to see if there are any on these Heddons.

Best,

Fred
That Heddon 215 appears to be similar in size to the 236 Sheridan sent me. Not quite ultrallight but on the light side.
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: happyhooker on August 02, 2018, 03:08:15 AM
Quote from: foakes on August 01, 2018, 06:12:49 PM
Pretty decent old reels.

...

If I could make sense of the numbering system for these — it might offer some clues.  Will check the old shop manuals to see if there are any on these Heddons.

Best,

Fred

The numbering system--well, not sure it's a system.  Lack of information on those old timers makes it hard. Anybody who can come up with more data would do a lot of folks a favor.

Frank

Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: Swami805 on August 02, 2018, 03:51:28 AM
I have a nib Heddon with the catalog. It has all the spinners they made that year with a schematic for each. Unfortunately it's on one giant sheet and each one is very small. If someone needs the schematic for one model pm me and I send a photo of it
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on August 02, 2018, 03:54:52 AM
That's awesome Sheridan!
Does it have the 277?
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: Swami805 on August 02, 2018, 05:09:29 AM
No it has a 270 then 280. The largest one is a 295.  Everything is  printed very small so it's hard to read, there's a list of spare spools for sale that come prefilled with line so I could get a pretty good idea of relative size by the numbers. The 234 has the least line capacity of 2lb at 200 yds. The smallest number is a 205 that holds 250yds of 6lb. The numbers aren't really sequencial to the size of the reel at least judging by capacity.
It lists 15 different model spinners, plus closed faced,fly, and baitcasting reels. 1 insert to cover all their reels, sure save a bunch on printing costs!
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: mo65 on August 02, 2018, 02:44:09 PM
   Cool schematic folder Sheridan! Who says Heddon wasn't an innovator? The whole round world uses micro print now...they led the way! I notice a wide variety of drag stacks, some multi disc, some single. Can't get a good enough look at the gears to really tell, but appears to be Mitchell styling there. I love learning about these overlooked reels. Little kids on Facebook know how to rebuild a Penn Spinfisher. This uncharted territory is very interesting. 8)
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on August 02, 2018, 09:44:41 PM
A bit more disassembly.  Nice simple bullet-proof design.

(https://i.imgur.com/cqxfTTS.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TFhIhZz.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/2mtXQeH.jpg)
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: Gfish on August 02, 2018, 10:18:05 PM
Like the structure a the gear box, looks nice and strong.
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on August 06, 2018, 09:44:04 PM
Well I haven't been able to get as many pics as I'd have liked to do a step by step on this reel because I've been so crunched for time that I did most of the work in the back seat of my truck on my lunch break.  I'm sure that none of this is very foreign to any of you as the design is very basic and bulletproof, very similar to other well-built reels of this era.   
I don't think this reel was used much if at all.  I completely disassembled and cleaned it all very well and reassembled using Penn grease and oil.

(https://i.imgur.com/BzePMK2.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/025Frcx.jpg)

One thing I noticed is that there appears to be one missing part.  I believe there should some sort of bumper or stop for the bail arm to land on when it flips closed.  I think it's probably just a plastic piece that presses into the hole seen below?

(https://i.imgur.com/UT5IDml.jpg)

Does anyone have one they can get measurements from for me?  I think I know about what size it should be and I'm planning to 3D print a replacement, but it would be nice to know what it actually looks like and measures.

I was able to get some Carbon drag washers from Dawn that need slight modification to work in my Heddon!  I'll post it finished and spooled soon!
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: happyhooker on August 07, 2018, 12:01:32 AM
Quote from: Swami805 on August 02, 2018, 03:51:28 AM
I have a nib Heddon with the catalog. It has all the spinners they made that year with a schematic for each. Unfortunately it's on one giant sheet and each one is very small. If someone needs the schematic for one model pm me and I send a photo of it

Thanks, folks, for a very interesting post.  Sheridan, I have a feeling I may need to get ahold of you for Heddon schematics in the future.  I have a few for reels I either have or want, but they are hard to come by.  On the 277, I will have to look & see if I have that one; seems to me I've seen one someplace, but, as usual for someone my age, I can't remember where I might have seen it.

Frank
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on August 07, 2018, 08:09:45 PM
Here she is.
Spooled up with 14 lb. Cajun Red and mounted on my 8'6" Ugly Stik.

(https://i.imgur.com/2exWogJ.jpg)
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: mo65 on August 07, 2018, 08:12:39 PM
   That is one fine lookin' reel! Great restoration! 8)
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: happyhooker on August 07, 2018, 08:18:40 PM
I looked where I keep my schematics, and I have a few Heddon, but no 277.

Your work looks great!

Frank
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: Swami805 on August 08, 2018, 01:10:16 AM
Be happy to send a pick of any of those on the sheet blown up so they're readable. A lot of variation between the different models, I'm thinking some were more high end than others.
That reel cleaned up nicely Chad, should be a good match on that rod
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on August 08, 2018, 03:30:39 PM
Thanks guys!  It was a fun one!
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on August 15, 2018, 11:08:45 PM
I fished the Heddon 277 today.  Threw a Kastmaster in the surf for awhile on my lunch break.
Seems to cast and reel great!  It's a tad heavy, but balances well on this rod.
Two things I don't care for:
1. I have to crank the handle to snap the bail shut.  I'm used to flipping it closed with my hand before reeling.
2. The knob is a bit floppy.  I'm considering replacing the knob, but I think I'll try it a bit more to see if I can get used to it.  I don't want to ruin the arm and regret it later.
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: mo65 on August 16, 2018, 01:17:54 AM
Quote from: xjchad on August 15, 2018, 11:08:45 PM
I have to crank the handle to snap the bail shut.  I'm used to flipping it closed with my hand before reeling.

   This bothers me too...but I've been using a Penn 720 ans a Quick Micro so much lately I'm starting to warm up to it some. 8)
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: Midway Tommy on August 16, 2018, 01:48:05 AM
Quote from: xjchad on August 15, 2018, 11:08:45 PM
I fished the Heddon 277 today.  Threw a Kastmaster in the surf for awhile on my lunch break.
Seems to cast and reel great!  It's a tad heavy, but balances well on this rod.
Two things I don't care for:
1. I have to crank the handle to snap the bail shut.  I'm used to flipping it closed with my hand before reeling.
2. The knob is a bit floppy.  I'm considering replacing the knob, but I think I'll try it a bit more to see if I can get used to it.  I don't want to ruin the arm and regret it later.

If the knob hole is worn you can insert a brass sleeve/tube to get rid of the slop. Sometimes it takes some reaming of both pieces to get a nice fit. If you do it, the ends should also be flared a little after it is fit to keep it from sliding. I have fixed many a worn plastic knob that way.  
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: xjchad on August 16, 2018, 02:18:32 AM
Thanks Tommy I'll check that out.
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: festus on April 27, 2019, 07:06:01 PM
I got a 277 through ebay for 10 bucks and shipping.  It was really stiff and grindy, but a good cleanup and lubrication with Superlube helped tremendously.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/27/17863_27_04_19_11_49_00.jpeg)

But the reel has problems, the bail trip lever won't close the bail.   The bailspring is fine. 
(https://alantani.com/gallery/27/17863_27_04_19_11_51_44.jpeg)

Most likely the appendage that trips the lever is worn or........
(https://alantani.com/gallery/27/17863_27_04_19_11_52_59.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/27/17863_27_04_19_11_54_13.jpeg)

It's possible the bail trip lever is bent out of shape.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/27/17863_27_04_19_11_55_10.jpeg)

Can anyone offer any suggestions?  And was anyone finally successful on finding the schematic for a Heddon 277?  There isn't one on Sheridan's sheet and I've never found one online.


Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: Midway Tommy on April 28, 2019, 03:17:36 AM
Can't help with the schematic, Chester, but it sure looks like your bail trip is bent. I doubt very much if the trip stud is worn enough to be an issue. You should be able to correct the bail trip lever easily by using a couple of small vise grips to rebend & align the lever angles. I've done it many times on similar reels. It's easy on those softer metals. A little anvil works good, too, to straighten the flat areas.   
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: festus on April 28, 2019, 03:24:49 AM
Thanks Tommy, I didn't think the trip stud was worn enough to cause the failure.  The reel doesn't look like it was used very much.  It has some minor scuffing but little paint loss.  Good reel.
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: Rivverrat on April 29, 2019, 02:02:54 AM
These Heddon reels are pretty neat reels... Jeff
Title: Re: Heddon 277
Post by: festus on April 29, 2019, 04:14:00 PM
Quote from: Midway Tommy on April 28, 2019, 03:17:36 AM
Can't help with the schematic, Chester, but it sure looks like your bail trip is bent. I doubt very much if the trip stud is worn enough to be an issue. You should be able to correct the bail trip lever easily by using a couple of small vise grips to rebend & align the lever angles. I've done it many times on similar reels. It's easy on those softer metals. A little anvil works good, too, to straighten the flat areas.   
You were right, Tommy, easy to tell it was bent just by eyeballing it.  A pair of needlenose pliers straightened it on first try.  And getting that bail trip spring in place was easy, some can be a pain.

Quote from: Rivverrat on April 29, 2019, 02:02:54 AM
These Heddon reels are pretty neat reels... Jeff
They sure are.  Matter of fact, I have another smaller one coming later in the week.  They are one of the easiest to work on.