Loose bail screw on flea market finds

[bja105]

I think I just became a reel collector, or maybe an old reel user. Long story made short, now I go to flea markets and yardsales to find old reels, then I clean them up and take them fishing.

Last weekend I bought a K-Mart Sportfisher 6100 and a Berkley 818. These are bigger saltwater reels that look and operate like old Mitchells. I cleaned and lubed them, spooled them with mono, and tried them out in the yard. On both reels, if I tighten the large slotted bail screw, the bail doesn't close completely. If I leave it loose, it works itself very loose. I don't know if I am missing parts, assembled it wrong, or if something is worn out.

On this style spinning reel, is there a common mistake I made? Does anyone have a website with parts diagrams for these reels? A few searches found nothing.

I have a couple beach trips scheduled this year. As they are, I'm afraid I'll lose parts in the sand.

Jason

[foakes]

Welcome, Jason,

If all of the parts are there (sounds like they are).

Typically just the bail wire is tweaked or bent slightly.

This causes excess friction which in turn will not result in a crisp and free-returning bail snap.

Remove the bail completely, clean it, the screws, and the bail spring in some sort of solvent (I use lacquer thinner) to get rid of all of the old grease and crud.  Then also clean the cups on the rotor where the bail attaches with solvent and a Q-Tip.

Reassemble the bail assembly —- paying attention to getting the bail wire back to its original attachment width by slight bending and tweaking.  It must move freely with no inward or outward friction pressure.

Occasionally, something has worn down —- and a very thin shim washer that will not interfere with the bail action may be another possibility.

If used in salt —- oftentimes all these need is a thorough cleaning of any salt crud or buildup.

If pitted or corroded —- all of that must be removed from the moving parts.

Let us know how you do.  Photos would be helpful.

Best, Fred

[Midway Tommy]

Yeah, Fred's spot on regarding bail alignment. Chances are either the bail is bent or one of the bail arms/plates is slightly bent or twisted.

After you get everything thoroughly degreased and cleaned test the alignment with only slight torque on the screws and bending ever so slightly the bails until they snap back with zero resistance. Be patient, sometimes it takes awhile to get them just right. Also, don't use grease to lubricate the bail springs as it just slows them down and collects sand, dirt & crud.

[PacRat]

Jason,
You just got advice from two of the most knowledgeable spinner guys in the world. Get those bails adjusted just right and you'll be amazed at how much more you will enjoy your time on the water.

-Mike

[Midway Tommy]

Thanks for the compliment, Mike! You are far too kind. 

[OhReely]

I have a Berkley 818. I haven't done a great deal of research on it but to me it looks similar to a Roddy of the same size. The two screws which hold the bail wire onto the rotor are both shoulder screws with very little shoulder protruding from the bail wire. The screws can't be mixed up because the one for the line roller side is much larger diameter. The head of the larger screw is hollow underneath with only a narrow ring of material to contact the bail wire arm. If everything is in alignment as Fred and Tommy said then it should be impossible to tighten either of the screws to the point of interference without applying undue force. If both screws are correct try removing the bail return spring from the rotor. Put the bail wire on the rotor, tighten the screws until the shoulders bottom out then see if the bail wire moves freely. If it doesn't adjust your bail wire ends until they're true. If it does move freely then you may have a damaged or incorrect bail spring.

Possibilities with the spring are - incorrect spring, insufficient clearance for the spring in the rotor due to corrosion or dirt,  bent out of shape at either end causing the spring to ride too high in the rotor which can cause the spring to get pinched between the bail arm and rotor during assembly, spring end is too long where it goes into the slot in the rotor and interferes with seating in the rotor, spring end is too long where it goes through the bail arm and interferes with the underside of the screw even though it's hollowed out.

[bja105]

Thanks guys, that gives me plenty to look at.

[bja105]

I want to take apart the Berkley one more time, but I have it working. Last weekend my wife and youngest son took a long weekend trip to Assateague Island to fish. This trip focused on my cheap flea market reels. The boy caught a dozen Kingfish on our Penn 712Z($25). I caught a croaker on my Penn 85($3.33). My son and I caught 4 small sharks and a stingray on the Berkley 818 ($15). My wife kept us stocked with spots on the 712Z.