DAM Quick Microlite 265 — Firing Up the Assembly Line — 62 Years Later

[foakes]

The year was 1959.

Spinning reels had been gaining serious popularity with anglers for about 7-8 years now.

While there were many spinning reel manufacturers, there were only a couple that offered a tiny Microlite sized spinning reel.

DAM recognized this opportunity —- and the marching orders given to the German engineers & designers was to come up with the best quality Microlite-sized spinner ever produced to date.

Not knowing exactly how to make a tiny reel —- DAM developed an idea how to produce this Microlite reel quickly and using only the best materials available.

So they took the design and engineering of their heaviest Salt-Water and very popular 270 reel —- and basically just shrunk it down into an 8 oz. tiny powerhouse.

Engineering systems, materials, principles, and parts were mostly the same as the rugged 270 —- only much smaller.

Cast aluminum housing and rotor, bronze and steel worm-drive gearing, high speed at just under 1:5, folding crank handle, folding bail to relieve spring pressure while in storage, easily switched to right or left hand cranking, SS bail, tungsten carbide line roller, all parts galvanized and salt-water proofed, oven baked finish.  Fits in the palm of an anglers hand.

The reel was an immediate success globally.  Anglers recognized the quality and the DAM brand name as the top of the line.  These reels were not inexpensive in the early 60's. 

But buyers knew and expected the best from DAM.

The Microlite 265 was produced for 4 years, and discontinued when the 110 Microlite took its place in 1964.

This is a sought after reel that I generally get 2 or 3 requests every month for a reel made of mostly new parts.

Built 2 last week, and received requests for 2 more this week.

So I decided to fire up the assembly line to make as many of these as possible from the stock of parts.

With 4lb. Test, paired with an ultralight quality glass rod such as a Fenwick, Wright-McGill, or Ugly-Stik —- these tiny Microlite reels will be a best friend for life.

The largest trout I ever caught was using a 265, 4lb., and a 6' light action Fenwick.  The trout was a German Brown male, 12.2 pounds, and 30" long.

So I decided to build out a bunch of these excellent Microlites —- since the parts are all here and ready to assemble.

If you already have one of these, then you made a good call. 

If you might want one, let me know.

Just under a 30% discount for members, no tax, and no payment until reel received and you are happy with it.  $125 for members.  And remember, close to  100% new parts.  General public price is $175.  When these are gone, they are done.

Best, Fred

[happyhooker]

Like looking at a small scale Mona Lisa--one of the finest pieces of the reel maker's art ever.

Frank

[jgp12000]

Fred,
I was born in 63' & have 2-265s in my collection,one has the knurled a/r lever,the other has the smooth, which one is older?

[foakes]

Smooth one is the older version, James —- '60 & '61.

Knurled is newer —- '62 & '63.

Although they are interchangeable.

There are (2) versions of the 265 Microlite.  The part numbers are the same —- but there are differences.  Like you pointed out, the A/R lever.  Another is the reverse threading on the worm-pinion gear where it attaches and screws onto the rotor cup.  Earliest had reverse threads.  This means that a different rotor, pinion, and rotor nut are required for these.

Best, Fred

[foakes]

One last thing to mention —-

I have worked on hundreds/thousands? of these DQ Microlites.

Have also worked on a nearly equal number of another very popular reel —- the Mitchell 308/408 tiny ultralites.

These little Mitchells are excellent reels —-

But the fact is, when you have both reels apart on the bench —- it is readily apparent to anyone who works on reels —- that the DQ 265 is possibly 3 times stronger and better than the 308/408 Mitchells.  Materials, engineering, balance, reinforcement points, features, and long-term multiple lifetime durability.

Mitchell sold a lot more due to reputation, better marketing, and a slightly lower price.

But long term experience in the real world sets these two brands very far apart.

Best, Fred

[JeffG]

This right here would be so much fun! You are a lucky man Fred. As much as I'd love another one the wife would probably have a hit put out on me. Enjoy! I know this is probably relaxing to you, I know it is for me.

Thanks
Jeff

[foakes]

Sent out (2) completed DQ 265 Microlites for two different members yesterday.

Received orders for (3) more overnight.

Have 7 more that are being assembled today, to ship 3 of those tomorrow.  4 more available for shipping tomorrow, if anyone is interested.

These assemblies of basically new reels from parts manufactured 62 to 65 years ago are both fun as well as somewhat of a challenge.

Some folks think that the parts just need to be pulled from the bins and put together like legos.

Fortunately, my parts are in number order —- which took considerable time over the years.

So the parts are pulled, then cleaned and inspected.

Any friction or meshing parts are then burnished and polished —- this includes things like spool shafts, inside and outside of gears and sinter bearings, main bearing, worm drive bearing.  Over 60+ years of waiting to be part of an actual complete working reel —- the parts become oxidized just from time.

Every part that meshes or slides is expected to do so silently, and be as smooth as oiled glass.

Only the best modern synthetic greases and oils are used.

So I do a bunch of these at a time, since doing the same process on 10 identical reels, instead of one at a time is both more efficient as well as saving time.

Each reel upon completion is then tested for proper operation of all functions, tuned, adjusted, micro-tuned, and inspected one more time prior to bagging and shipping.

All parts are readily available, all tools are at hand and organized, and the results mirror the preparation.

Best, Fred

[JeffG]

So Fred, I assume once done with these you'll be just parts and returns of 265's sent to you? Will you still have some bodies maybe in "ugly" shape paintwise or such?

[foakes]

I haven't figured that out yet, Jeff —-

Just taking it one reel at a time.

Planning too far ahead generally is a mistake.

In theory, that would be true —- but I have a lot of parts.

Making 110 Microlites next.

Best, Fred

[foakes]

Here is one of the DQ 265 Microlites completed.

Member wanted the crank handle on the right side, plus he also ordered a DQ 220 made with all new parts, of which I already had a few new builds ready to roll.

Got too busy and missed the Post Office today.  So tomorrow morning will be shipping about 9 packages.

Best, Fred