for first timers. new members, or even veterans that just need a quick answer

[Silvermist]

I had this great introduction written up and I think my kitty just erased it.  Ugh, well hello all and wanted to join up because I've started a reel repair business (Rocky Mountain Reel Repair) and I'm certain questions are going to come up. My business is new, still working on the website, but I have been fixing up some vintage Zebcos for practice and some income. Finding parts has been painful, especially washers. Also, I find random things in the reels that I have no idea what it is.

For instance, a black, flexible washer that is definitely not rubber and not carbon fiber. I'm thinking maybe nylon. It's in the drag location where there is usually a red washer. I'm honestly having trouble making sure I get same materials for washers that are missing or incorrect. Zebco (Rather Outdoors) is pretty much zero help.

[Bill B]

Good luck on your business venture. You can make a small fortune in reel repair if you start with a large fortune first. 

[Silvermist]

Thank you! Hopefully don't have to spend a big fortune!

[Silvermist]

Ok, so another newbie question for you all.  I have acquired some vintage Zebco's that I'm determined to return to working condition.  I have run across a few where the plastic part of the main piece is broken. Is gluing reels frowned upon or is this practice OK? They're 202's, so it's not like it's going up against a tuna or anything.

[Gobi King]

Ok, so another newbie question for you all.  I have acquired some vintage Zebco's that I'm determined to return to working condition.  I have run across a few where the plastic part of the main piece is broken. Is gluing reels frowned upon or is this practice OK? They're 202's, so it's not like it's going up against a tuna or anything.

Pic pls

[oc1]

I don't think it will hold unless you use a solvent weld glue.  The type of glue for a solvent weld depends on the type of plastic.  Just determining the type of plastic could be a chore.

[Benni3]

3m panel bond 08115 very expensive but very strong and you can sand it,,paint it,,,3m has other stuff to that might work,,, the cat fisherman like the 70's and 80's 808's and repair them,,,,,

[jurelometer]

More than you probably want to know about repairing plastic reel parts:

It depends on type of plastic, and the amount of load.

On the plastic:  For your Zebco spincaster - the plastic is probably ABS or similar. This can be solvent welded as Steve mentioned - ABS cement(the type used on those black ABS drain pipes) is such a product and will work.  This stuff is usually black.  Right next to it in most hardware stores in the universal (ABS and PVC) pipe solvent cement in clear- this also works well. I use it to glue the halves together of ABS and ASA lures that I make. 

You can find out if your part is ABS or a related plastic, by dabbing a bit of acetone in an inconspicuous spot, and seeing if it melts the plastic, or if you have the solvent glue handy, try the same.

Another common plastic used for reel parts is nylon.  Nylon is used for the little mechanical parts inside the reel, or when combined with chopped carbon fiber, for "graphite" frames and sideplates.  Nylon resists solvents, and does not glue well.

Both of these types of plastics are thermoplastics, which means that they can be heat welded in a manner similar to metal welding with heat and a chunk of the same plastic for a welding rod.  But this requires some skill and specialized equipment.

Finally, on old reel sideplates, we see Bakelite, and if very old, some hard rubber compounds.  These are thermoset (not thermoplastic) resin based, resistant to solvents and impossible to weld.  The best that you can get is a mechanical bond using epoxies or stuff like CA glues. Not very strong.

On the load front: Repaired joints will rarely be as strong as the original especially on loads that try to pull cracks open.  Cracks in parts that occur from load from usage (not being dropped or similar) will be facing the same load once repaired.  Cracks from stresses built into the part from the molding process stand a better chance.


In your case, a 202 parts reel can probably be obtained from the auction site for the same price as a can of solvent cement.

Hope this helps,

-J

[Benni3]

I do know that you can't clear coat that plastic it fogs up and some chemicals will melt it and the 1970's reels don't have plastic gears that's why people still repair and fish them,,,,

[oc1]

I have welded cracks in rotomolded plastic kayaks with nothing but a soldering iron, a hot air gun, and a scrap piece of polyethylene.

[Silvermist]

Pic pls
[/quote]

[Coffee]

I need help identifying this reel.
No name, numbers, no markings anywhere.
Thank you,  coffee

[Silvermist]

Very nice answers all and that is a ton of info on plastic! It helps to pick up more knowledge because plastic is something I don't know a ton about.  You're probably correct on the parts, I just need to figure out where to find a schematic for the part#.

[PrivateIdaho]

Any guesses as to the age of this 3/0? 

[oc1]

It does not have part numbers. It's not a football-shaped handle knob but it's not like a normal torpedo knob either.   More like an elongated torpedo.  Maybe it's from a transitional period..  My wild-arse guess is early 1950's.  An expert will be along shortly.