The Sailfisher 130 Project

[UKChris1]

Just noticed the excellent idea about poking a pipe through the bearing holes.
I'll give that a try along with measuring the foot and swapping it with another.

If, as seems most likely, it is the foot that is misaligned and that is throwing it all out of true, I guess brute force applied carefully is my only option to straighten it 

[UKChris1]

Quick update.

Took out the reel foot and poked mattress needles through the screw holes (these are long and straight needles). This showed the foot to be twisted somewhat.

The photo (I hope) shows that the needle at the back is not parallel with the middle and front ones but rises to the right.

Using the needles to help, I twisted the foot back till the needles were parallel. After re-fitting the foot, the reel now spins reasonable well in freespool. It is not perfect but at least it is now usable.

I suspect the sideplates themselves may be warped as the chromed rings, although flat, don't fit properly all the way round.

But, it is usable and remains a robust reel that won't cause me worries when used by others rather than going into the rubbish bin.

[oldmanjoe]

  Good idea with the Mattress needles .      Another way to check ,is with the long screws ,or short screws put in backwards and screw the bars on .    Check the bars first ,make sure that the holes are centered and straight .  One of the pliers that I use is the 11 inch swivel pad pliers to make adjustment to the seat .

[UKChris1]

Knowing my luck, I'd forget to be careful and shear the screws off by trying to use the bars to realign the seat!

That set of pliers is something new to me; rather like a fancy Mole grip?

[oldmanjoe]

  NO   Do not use the screws or bars to straighten the foot .    They are just for
reference to see what needs to be done .

  The pliers .     https://www.harborfreight.com/11-inch-swivel-pad-lock-grip-pliers-39535.html    I use them to hold thing at different angles while welding ..

[UKChris1]

Got it - was just kidding 

The mattress needles did the trick - giving me just enough grip to slightly bend the foot without risking messing up the threads in the bolt holes.

Now if only I had a tool to straighten out a bent 12/0 Senator clamp! Needs a big vice and a long spanner.
It came with a used Senator and has somehow got knocked such that it won't fit properly on the rod butt.

[JasonGotaProblem]

Got it - was just kidding 

The mattress needles did the trick - giving me just enough grip to slightly bend the foot without risking messing up the threads in the bolt holes.

Now if only I had a tool to straighten out a bent 12/0 Senator clamp! Needs a big vice and a long spanner.
It came with a used Senator and has somehow got knocked such that it won't fit properly on the rod butt.

Are these now hard to come by? I have a few, I think.

[UKChris1]

It was out of true when I got the reel and I didn't notice as it was all very clean and shiney.

I fear the original chromed ones are rare, certainly in the UK, but there is a clamp off the International range that is a fit I believe; probably the 80/80W - I must have a rummage through the box of assorted clamps to see as I have one for those reels and then check prices for a new one here.

I know I can get one from France, but since the utterly idiotic Brexit came into effect import costs have rocketed.

I'm intending to sell the 12/0 reel I don't want to spend too much on buying a new part but would rather ensure it is perfectly usable for the buyer by repairing/fixing the existing part. I just need more muscles