A few photos of my reel restorations

[Paul9591]

Hi everyone, I have just joined you all in this wonderful place, and I shall 'attempt' to post some images of some rebuilds and restorations I have undertaken; nothing super challenging, but fun nonetheless.

First should be my prized 1st issue Pflueger Skilkast, which was basically a major cleanup and polish, then we have an Intrepid New De Luxe, which was given to me in a rather sorry state by my older brother.

Next up is a TJ Harrington Korka, which are about as basic as you can get, but scarce; when found, these are rarely in decent condition (I obtained an original box and paperwork for it too).

Next is my all time favourite 2nd issue Mitchell half bail, which I spent a very long time looking for the exact correct era parts to complete it, and then refinished it in high temp black satin enamel.
I also have another factory original, which compares quite favourably. These are often more glossy in appearance to later versions.

The one pictured leaning on the plastic container is an early 3rd version, and the last three images are of the work I did to restore my late fathers very scruffy late 3rd model (my first restoration). I have a few other restored Mitchells, but I don't want to bore you all with too many photos.

Thank you for looking. 

[pjstevko]

Beautiful work!

[Paul9591]

Beautiful work!

Thank you pjstevko, unfortunately I appear to have double posted the photos, my apologies all

Edit: found the problem and fixed it

[Paul9591]

I tried to edit more photos in, so maybe that was the reason?

Here is a British TJ Harrington 'The Omnia', which I thought deserved the 'Dan Dare / Flash Gordon' bare metal polish treatment.

Like other reels from this company, it has an awful 2:1 retrieve ratio...sigh!

[Paul9591]

One last pic of my pre-300 designated Mitchells 1949 to 1954, the earliest one in the photos is the factory original, the three A serial reels (number on foot) are restored.
I also have a short video on YT showing these reels.

[foakes]

Really great work and skills, Paul!

Good pics too!

Best, Fred

[Paul9591]

Really great work and skills, Paul!

Good pics too!

Best, Fred

Thank you.   

[thorhammer]

Wow, man comes in with a bang!! Keep it coming, good sir!


John

[quang tran]

Very nice and some of your reels I never seen .I have some Mitchell 300 but they seem newer model

[Paul9591]

Wow, man comes in with a bang!! Keep it coming, good sir!


John

Will do John, thank you.

[Paul9591]

Very nice and some of your reels I never seen .I have some Mitchell 300 but they seem newer model

Thank you, yes, I guess the TJ Harrington reels will be new to a lot of folks here, as I rarely see them for sale outside of the UK.

They were mainly aimed at young anglers or those on a budget during the 50's and 60's, but despite some crude manufacturing here and there, they have a bit of a cool factor to them, for me anyway.

The half bail Omnia in the photo later became a full bail with a bail trip 'wing' on the side and the name was strangely changed to 'Le Omnia, Le Omnia Super and Le Super Omnia, see photo.

Another cool reel was the Bantam, but this is a very hard to find model, the mechanics of it are fascinating (again see photos, not all my own Bantam internals images unfortunately).

TJ Harrington are also known for their basic and strange sounding named centrepin reels / fly reels. Names like 'Little Kraka' 'Gemina' and so on.
This company also made crude air pistols (GAT gun) and slingshots.

The Intrepid New De Luxe that I restored, was a model I had myself back in the 70's, albeit a slightly later version; the one pictured earlier is a first issue from 1966.

Some American anglers may remember this reel in matt black and blue, as the Old Pal Bobcat 35.  The Intrepid Black Prince I had first, was the Tomcat 25 in the USA.

The Mitchell reels I posted were originally known as the 'The Mitchell' at first and then around 1956/57 they called it the model 300, and then engraved 3-0-0 on their side plates.

Some more images for your perusal, including two more TJH reels (un-restored), the Magda and Magnet, both are seldom seen for sale. Plus a few more early Mitchell photos.

Note the sharp lift angle on the claw bail arm in the last image; this (from my own extensive research) indicates a reel made not long after the round AR knob dissappeared in favour of the boomerang style lever, maybe a year or so? Later 3rd models see a less pronounced angle once again. I have, as yet, not found a serial number on one, however, there are 'some' reels with later details, that you would expect to see a number on, but they too are absent of any serial number (this is based entirely off my own findings).

[Reeltyme]

Really loved the pre 300 pics Paul. One of my favorite reels. Great work and great to have you aboard!
Randy McConnell
Reeltyme

[Paul9591]

Really loved the pre 300 pics Paul. One of my favorite reels. Great work and great to have you aboard!
Randy McConnell
Reeltyme

Thanks Randy, loving it here. 

[jgp12000]

Paul,
Your paint jobs look flawless!I think the Mitchell 300 is probably the best looking reel ever.I don't repaint many,but if I come across one missing a lot of paint I would.Are you willing to share specifically which "high temp black satin enamel" you are using? Rattle can or airbrush,whatever technique you have looks better than original!

[Donnyboat]

What a KORKA restorra, great work Paul, you will fit in very good on this forum, thanks for the pics, cheers Don.