15 DAM Quicks Off the Bench This Week

[foakes]

Lots of reel work this week to try and pare down the backlog from members and clients.

Built a 220N & a 221 for anyone who might want one.

Finished up (4) shipments out in the mail.

This morning finished up (3) completes for one of our good members, Daron (SharkHunter).  A large 550N, a rare 331N high speed, and an even rarer 440.

The 440 is in a class by itself.  Very unique adjustable bail system, special rotor, special frame, large spool & rotor for high capacity line yardage.  It has the same size frame as a 330 —- but is made for fresh or saltwater fishing.  I used the frame & gears to restore this 440 for Daron —- but everything else is new.  Lots of new parts on the 550N & 331N also.  Plus (3) new spools.

Best, Fred

[ReelFishingProblems]

Fred, I've got a nice 441N. What would you fish for with it on the West coast?

Best,
Nick

[Brewcrafter]

Fred - Probably most of the Ohana already know but I don't and I'm not embarassed to ask - what makes the adjustable bail on the 440 unique? - john

[foakes]

Fred, I've got a nice 441N. What would you fish for with it on the West coast?

Best,
Nick

That is a high speed "N" series, Nick —-

A desirable reel to fish Salmon, Steehead, Mackinaw, Stripers, Sturgeon, and surf-fishing where there might be the possibility of a surprise large fish.

It was really designed to fill a niche that is smaller than the large 550N and with a larger spool and rotor for more line capacity when working a large fish like a Salmon or Steelhead up and down a riverbank or canal bank.

The high speed gives the angler the advantage of a more natural presentation of the bait or lure by casting upriver and controlling the speed of the bait so it flows with the current without getting hung up on the bottom.

The earlier Finessa series of 7 reels included 3 high speed models.  The 110, 221, and 331.

In the next series of (7) "N"'s —- they basically kept all of the reels —- except they added the 441N to the lineup —- and never made a 221N.

Nice reel!  Smooth, powerful, capable, and versatile.

Best, Fred

[foakes]

Fred - Probably most of the Ohana already know but I don't and I'm not embarassed to ask - what makes the adjustable bail on the 440 unique? - john

Actually, John —-

Few folks know about this feature.

When adjusted properly for your fishing conditions (just takes 2 minutes) —- it becomes virtually impossible for the bail to snap shut by accident when casting long with a heavy bait.

It is not on any other Quick reel.  Surf-casters and folks fishing for large Lake Trout, Pike, Muskies, and some of the larger Walleyes find it useful and a money-saver by not breaking off an expensive bait, terminal gear, or lure when the bail accidentally closes down without warning on a hard cast.

Best, Fred

[Midway Tommy]

It's been a well kept secret, that is unless someone has the specific manual to read in its entirety. Most people don't end up with that paperwork unless they got one in the box with all the ephemera.

[foakes]

It's been a well kept secret, that is unless someone has the specific manual to read in its entirety. Most people don't end up with that paperwork unless they got one in the box with all the ephemera.

True, Tom —-

But I have maybe 20 or 25 large crates of boxed reels with owner's manual & warranty paperwork, lube, tool, and spare parts in some cases.

However, over the decades I have saved all of the loose manuals that don't have a reel or box to match them up with.

There are some really old oddball brands —- but mostly Mitchell, DAM Quick, Penn, and Cardinals are the ones I hang onto.

They are extremely informative.

Just got back from Church and Lunch.  Today will be starting on about 20,000 loose DQ parts that I will be putting into numbered parts bins.  This is maybe the last load that I have been able to acquire from 9 of 10 North American Authorized Service centers over the last 30 years.  This puts the inventory at about 470,000 DAM Quick parts if one were to count every screw and spring.

But for me, if they are not in numerical quick access order —- they are close to worthless.

So I have added 13 parts organizers, making labels, and hopefully with adding to current parts bins in the outer shops, and the new ones in the main upstairs shop —- there will be room for all of the last load.  We'll see...

Best, Fred

[Steve V.]

See there, Disney Land isn't really in Anaheim, It's in the Sierra National Forrest.

 

Steve

[Milan S]

Fred, well done for all you do! The touch of old times and equipment that can be felt in your workshop even through a photograph is priceless. Every time I pick up a Quick in my hands, it awakens in me a feeling of reliability, engineering and something of quality that has been given special attention. As if there is something mystical about that old German engineering.The old boxes and instructions themselves have a special charm. Not to mention the mechanics. It's as if I can smell the smell of old production halls and workshops where precision instruments were manufactured. Truly priceless...

[foakes]

Fred, well done for all you do! The touch of old times and equipment that can be felt in your workshop even through a photograph is priceless. Every time I pick up a Quick in my hands, it awakens in me a feeling of reliability, engineering and something of quality that has been given special attention. As if there is something mystical about that old German engineering.The old boxes and instructions themselves have a special charm. Not to mention the mechanics. It's as if I can smell the smell of old production halls and workshops where precision instruments were manufactured. Truly priceless...

Thanks, Milan —-

I am truly grateful and thankful to be able to help others with these excellent quality reels that show true value for a lifetime along with not breaking the bank.

I am able to share these reels and parts with others —- and allow them to see for themselves what true quality is.l

These were manufactured during an era when a company took pride in their products, made good livings for their employees, maintained a "cutting edge mindset" for ongoing improvements, plus showed respect for their fellow employees, the company, their customers, and themselves.

Much of that seems to be lost today from everything that showed respect in the past.

When I went to school, women teachers were dressed smartly and properly, men teachers wore a tie, and they set a good example of respect for their students —- professionalism & pride in their work.

Today, many teachers dress in casual attire —- have poor grooming habits, wear shorts and flip flops.  Not a great example for the students.  The school districts are to blame for not adhering to respectful standards and enforcing dress codes in teachers and students.

I know this is a little off the subject, and I apologize for that — but it is just a small indicator of the society we live in.

DAM Quick, ABU, Mitchell, Penn, and others set an example of quality and pride in everything they produced.

We have certainly lost most of that.

Best, Fred

[Jim Fujitani]

Fred,  Thanks for that last image. 

IMHO, generally speaking, it seems that our generation (boomers) may be responsible for failing to teach our offspring to respect others and persons of authority.  A large percentage of our offspring were provided 'privileges' because of two income families and resulting increased wealth, or the lack there of due to single parenting.  And the corresponding lack of parental oversight may have resulted in less understanding of the role that RESPECT plays in our society. 

[oldmanjoe]

Fred,  Thanks for that last image. 

IMHO, generally speaking, it seems that our generation (boomers) may be responsible for failing to teach our offspring to respect others and persons of authority.  A large percentage of our offspring were provided 'privileges' because of two income families and resulting increased wealth, or the lack there of due to single parenting.  And the corresponding lack of parental oversight may have resulted in less understanding of the role that RESPECT plays in our society. 

I totally agree , We need to teach RESPECT ....

[Milan S]

Thanks, Milan —-

I am truly grateful and thankful to be able to help others with these excellent quality reels that show true value for a lifetime along with not breaking the bank.

I am able to share these reels and parts with others —- and allow them to see for themselves what true quality is.l

These were manufactured during an era when a company took pride in their products, made good livings for their employees, maintained a "cutting edge mindset" for ongoing improvements, plus showed respect for their fellow employees, the company, their customers, and themselves.

Much of that seems to be lost today from everything that showed respect in the past.

When I went to school, women teachers were dressed smartly and properly, men teachers wore a tie, and they set a good example of respect for their students —- professionalism & pride in their work.

Today, many teachers dress in casual attire —- have poor grooming habits, wear shorts and flip flops.  Not a great example for the students.  The school districts are to blame for not adhering to respectful standards and enforcing dress codes in teachers and students.

I know this is a little off the subject, and I apologize for that — but it is just a small indicator of the society we live in.

DAM Quick, ABU, Mitchell, Penn, and others set an example of quality and pride in everything they produced.

We have certainly lost most of that.

Best, Fred

Fred, those were different and good times. Civilization has reached a point where everything is meaningless. The taste of that time can also be seen in that old German production. I just can't get enough of those products. They awaken in me everything that today's production is unable to do. Just the smell of the lube in the old Quicks is enough to take me back in time...

Best, Milan.

[Gfish]

Respect is earned. Parental units need to show as well as teach it, as do various authority figures. Totally unethical to demand respect because of social construct position, unless you show it/teach it.

[jgp12000]

Beautiful work & reels !!!