Hello from Augusta GA

[grizzley30814]

Looking to learn more about my penn reels so they will be running for many years to come.

Thanks in advance.

James

[thorhammer]

welcome! this is about as good as it gets for that!!

[foakes]

Welcome aboard, James!

The main thing that many old timers and newcomers miss -- is this, IMO:

If one is serious about learning to service, restore, and repair reels --

Just study this site daily for 3 months -- tutorials, conversations, tips, tools, techniques, opinions.

Ask questions.

Go out and get an assortment of Penns and Mitchells from yard sales, second hand stores, ebay, etc -- maybe a half dozen to start -- just basic reels -- they are not expensive.  You already have some of these.  Start on the 85 and Mitchells first -- before the Levelwinds.

Start on one, until done -- then go to the next.

Take them apart numerous times -- until you can just take it apart, dump the parts into a container -- then quickly ID and reassemble each part swiftly and efficiently.

Building up your skills and familiarity with the different reels.

Don't go out and buy a bunch of expensive upgrades yet, and no hot-rodding yet -- just make the old stock units perform perfectly.  Only exception would be CF drags, and Cal's drag grease on the drag stacks.

At the end of 90 days, if you stick with it -- you will know possibly more than reel repair folks who have been doing this professionally for 10 or more years.

Why?  --  Because you are paying attention to what works, using new techniques pioneered by the most expert site in the world, listening, doing, and keeping an open mind.

Everyone here is able to help -- just ask...

It is really that simple.

Best,

Fred

[alantani]

welcome!!!!!

[steelhead_killer]

Sage advice!  Welcome to Penn University!  Come as you are, take some 101 courses, pick a major and get a PhD after a year. 

Welcome aboard, James!

The main thing that many old timers and newcomers miss -- is this, IMO:

If one is serious about learning to service, restore, and repair reels --

Just study this site daily for 3 months -- tutorials, conversations, tips, tools, techniques, opinions.

Ask questions.

Go out and get an assortment of Penns and Mitchells from yard sales, second hand stores, ebay, etc -- maybe a half dozen to start -- just basic reels -- they are not expensive.  You already have some of these.  Start on the 85 and Mitchells first -- before the Levelwinds.

Start on one, until done -- then go to the next.

Take them apart numerous times -- until you can just take it apart, dump the parts into a container -- then quickly ID and reassemble each part swiftly and efficiently.

Building up your skills and familiarity with the different reels.

Don't go out and buy a bunch of expensive upgrades yet, and no hot-rodding yet -- just make the old stock units perform perfectly.  Only exception would be CF drags, and Cal's drag grease on the drag stacks.

At the end of 90 days, if you stick with it -- you will know possibly more than reel repair folks who have been doing this professionally for 10 or more years.

Why?  --  Because you are paying attention to what works, using new techniques pioneered by the most expert site in the world, listening, doing, and keeping an open mind.

Everyone here is able to help -- just ask...

It is really that simple.

Best,

Fred

[Keta]

Hi

[Tiddlerbasher]

Welcome!

[Bill B]

Welcome from the Sacramento Delta....to expand on Fred's comment regarding an assortment of reels, I might suggest the following:
Penn Jigmaster 500
Penn Levelwind 109, 209
Penn LongBeach 60
Penn Special Senator 112H or 113H
Mitchell 300
Mitchell 302
These are a good sampling from the fishing reel population and well supported here....there are others out there, but if you can confidently tear down and rebuild these, the rest will not pose a challenge. As stated above, ask questions or for help and we will "get er done"   Bill