Why "upgrade" a Penn 60?

[Keta]

Because we can.

I'll try to post photos but I just finished upgrading a 60 that I picked up in a $8.00 box of parts reels.  

SS gear sleeve, 24-49 handle, Carbontex and SS drag washers and a new aluminum spool (I had 2 29-85 spools that I thought were both good but gave someone the only good one .... it's in a better place now ) and a SS dog is being cut.  It's spooled with 30lb Dacron for now.

I tested it on a rod and get 16lbs of drag but I'm planning on fishing it with 25-30 line for inshore rockfish and possibly live bait albacore if I respool it with 40lb Spectra.

[doradoben]

I had a very nice one until about 10 years ago that I used for shallow water rock fish in So. Cal. I gave up on it because of the gear ratio & now use a modified 501. I liked the size of the 60, but at the time didn't know that you could get an aluminum spool that would work in it. A different spool would have made the reel more useful for trying to fish with sardines on the surface. If you fish heavier line for albacore will you keep the same reel base that it came with or is there something more heavy duty (with a clamp) that fits??

[Keta]

Same base, I'm not sure any other will fit.   

[Ron Jones]

The spool isn't in a better place yet, it will be in my daughters hand on the 25th.

I am looking long and hard at building frames and this will be the reel I do it to. Their isn't any other size reel we can steal stronger parts from.
Ron

[Keith K]

Because we can.

This.

Right on Lee.  Looking forward to the pics!

[George4741]

Lee's quote:  Why "upgrade " a Penn 60?

Why not?  I think it'll be just fine for rockfish and it would turn my head quicker than any 21st century space-age reel.  Old-school is cool.

[Dominick]

Hey Lee:  stop teasing and post the #%$&ing Pictures...  Dominick

[Ron Jones]

Lee,
The only other thing I did to mine was use a 113 star, much more convenient than the little one. With steel gears, 5 drag washers and 2.5 gear ratio, my girls will use these for more than rock fish. I still need a non plastic spool and may break down and buy aluminum.

Ron

[Keta]

Problem #1
The shaft on the bridge appearers to be much smaller than the ID of the gear sleeve, the gear sleeve flops around too much and the spacer rubs on the sideplate, I have a newer bridge at the shop that I'll check.  There is not enough room to sleeve the gearsleeve.  For what I'm planning with this reel a brass gearsleeve will work.

[john2244]

Ron,

I have a new plastic Penn 85 spool you can have as a backup.  I believe it will also fit the Penn 60.  Send me PM with your address if you want me to send it out.
John

[Ron Jones]

Thanks John, but I think I have 3 plastic spools, I love how they cast but I'm worried that they may not to be up to the challenge if the girls get into an Ahi.

Ron

[Alto Mare]

Come on guys, you're not going to stop there.
Try to give it some more horse power under the hood  .



Replaced the 5-60, 1+3 stack with the 5-66, 1+5 stack. It slowed down quite a bit

Here is a shot showing that everything went in nicely

you will need to do some carving on this one

and here is the finished 60

Sal

[George4741]

Sal, you're getting very handy with the dremel.  Nice job, you've raised the bar, again!

[Dominick]

Hey Sal have you ever tried sculpting?  Dominick

[alantani]

don't encourage him.  he has too many bad habits already....