Hi from Stockholm Sweden - service instructions for spinning reels. Anyone?

[Jofa2000]

Hi! As an active board member of a Swedish fishing club in Stockholm, I often get questions of all sorts. The topic Reel service and Repair popped up during last weekend's fishing trip to the Öresund straight between Sweden and Denmark (A 6 hour drive from here). 

I service and repair myself, because it's fun. 2017 is when I discovered and started following Alan's great service advice. Beginning with my then squeaky Okuma Titus TG 15 II.

I think it would be appreciated by club members to learn more about this. I can teach. But need to widen my knowledge. Special tools? Best places for spares? What and how to – and what to avoid

Spinning reels are (unfortunately) the more popular choice here. So it would be very interesting to find more on these. But bait casters, conventional and even fly reels are all of interest.

Hälsningar
Johan

[alantani]

welcome!  it is not likely that you will find that level of knowledge for spinning reels easily.  spinning reels can be a particular challenge.  spare parts for older reels can be nearly impossible to find.  even the disassembly can be difficult.  it was always this challenge that drove me.  it was knowing that someone, somewhere, designed this reel before computer aided design, designed it with a particular goal in mind, and was able to assemble it.  the job was then to get inside his mind, know that he did something for a particular reason, figure out what that something was, and duplicate that work. 

i know that this is terribly unhelpful, but that is the challenge.

[happyhooker]

Greetings, Johan, from Minnesota USA.

There are quite a few spinning reel fans on this site.  Collectors, users and repair gurus.  I know you will browse thru what we offer, and what you don't find, just ask a question about it & you will get feedback.  We even have folks who love ABU.

Frank

[jgp12000]

I would look at the tutorials in the spinning reel section for
Whatever reel in question?

Also,
Hows the market in Sweden for Ambassadeurs or Cardinals just curious,everywhere or scarce?
We have a few Ambassadeur & Cardinal gurus on here...



I am looking for a nice 5000D

Thank you,
James

[Benni3]

Welcome from Salem virginia,,,,,

[foakes]

I think it would be appreciated by club members to learn more about this. I can teach. But need to widen my knowledge. Special tools? Best places for spares? What and how to – and what to avoid

Hälsningar
Johan

Welcome!

On spinning reels, there are a few useful tools —- but nothing too weird or expensive. 

Good hollow-ground screwdrivers such as used by gunsmiths.

Decent needle nose pliers.

Nut drivers and/or sockets in metric and standard sizes.

Picks.

Punches.

Organizing trays.

A cleaning system for parts such as an ultrasonic cleaner & cleaning agents.

Toothbrushes.

Microfiber cloth.

Synthetic grease & synthetic oil + needle applicators & brushes.

————————————

Spare parts on modern spinning reels are generally either hard to find or get shipped for a reasonable price.  Many modern manufacturers choose to not produce parts for their spinning reels after 2 to 5 years.

————————————-

A system that has worked for me is to disassemble a reel completely after inspecting and checking for any operational issues.  Then clean every part being careful to avoid cleaning chemicals that may ruin, melt, or distort parts and finishes on the parts.

Then, I reassemble the spool assembly completely —- and set it aside.

Next, assemble the complete rotor & bail assembly —- and set it aside.

Then assemble the complete crank handle assembly —- and set that aside.

Then start on the interior casing, gears, anti-reverse system —- checking function as I continue the assembly process, along with the drag system if it is a rear drag reel.

When that is completed, attach the rotor, then the spool shaft, checking operation as you go.

Then button up the side plate and attach the crank handle assembly.

Check all functions.

Snap on the spool —- then wipe down the reel with a micro+fiber cloth.

This is a simple and general explanation —- every reel is a little different.

Plastic, or graphite reels are an issue —- since they generally cannot be serviced more than a few times before the screw holes will become stripped.

My last advice might be to try and specialize in a few quality brands instead of everything.

For me, I only work these days on spinners from D-A-M Quick, ABU/Zebco Cardinals, Mitchell's, and Penns.  And no graphite or plastic reels.  Plus I stock hundreds of thousands of parts for these reels.

You can try to be all things to all people —- but it will be frustrating and mostly non-productive, plus waste a lot of time.

Spinning reels are simple —- but like most things, it is helpful to break down the service and repair into smaller individual component assemblies —- and to not get frightened by the number of parts when all disassembled.

Physical & mental organization — along with a system — are key.

Best, Fred

[Brewcrafter]

Welcome Johan from Southern California! - john

[Gfish]

Hi Johan. Fred(foakes) explained it well with the proper sequence. That's what used to get me. Making me have to do several unnecessary disassemblies on spinners to finally get a full and proper reassembly. The pinnacle for me was to be able to do the very complicated Shimano Baitrunner. The Mitchell saltwater series such as the 302 was also a good teacher.
Brushes; nylon, brass and stainless steel. Brass and stainless steel for older and less cared-for reels.

I like what Alan said, too; try to think like the person that designed the reel. First I have to drop my concepts, then ask myself what was that person trying to accomplish doing it this way and why?

[jgp12000]

Snap ring pliers if you do not already have. I use a small jar with a metal lid to soak all metal
Non painted parts in lacquer thinner,the lid has small holes drilled in it so I can drain it without losing parts.

[Jofa2000]

welcome!  it is not likely that you will find that level of knowledge for spinning reels easily.  spinning reels can be a particular challenge.  spare parts for older reels can be nearly impossible to find.  even the disassembly can be difficult.  it was always this challenge that drove me.  it was knowing that someone, somewhere, designed this reel before computer aided design, designed it with a particular goal in mind, and was able to assemble it.  the job was then to get inside his mind, know that he did something for a particular reason, figure out what that something was, and duplicate that work. 

i know that this is terribly unhelpful, but that is the challenge.

Terribly unhelpful? On the contrary. Now I'm less naive and understand that I can not expect simple answers.
It's funny you mention CAD. As a product designer I spent decades with 3D-CAD systems. Even made a few design proposals for Loop fly-fishing.

I will happily drop a question, once I have one that is worth placing. There will be one. From your answer I see this is will happen.

Thank you for running this great place!
Johan

[Jofa2000]

Greetings, Johan, from Minnesota USA.

There are quite a few spinning reel fans on this site.  Collectors, users and repair gurus.  I know you will browse thru what we offer, and what you don't find, just ask a question about it & you will get feedback.  We even have folks who love ABU.

Frank

Thank you Frank! Your comment gave me added hope. And you are from a place we often identify as "Sweden in the new world". Minnesota

ABU made some excellent stuff. Unfortunately a lot of garbage too. My ABU-lemons are long deceased, but the good ones gave me some extra reasons to come here.

[Jofa2000]

I would look at the tutorials in the spinning reel section for
Whatever reel in question?

Also,
Hows the market in Sweden for Ambassadeurs or Cardinals just curious,everywhere or scarce?
We have a few Ambassadeur & Cardinal gurus on here...



I am looking for a nice 5000D

Thank you,
James

Hi James. Thank you for answering my first post.
Tutorials in the spinning reel section. Great, now I know where to start.
At his point I don't know what reel to start with. But an instructor-friend just broke a nice spinner. Will check with him.

Open this link in Chrome or any browser that handles translation. And you will find yourself in Swedens most popular site for "used stuff auctions". They were owned by eBay for some time. Not now.
Tradera.com is the place.
Here a used but not terrible 5000D with 2 days left. Now standing at 70 USD.
https://www.tradera.com/item/1001138/688448575/abu-ambassadeur-5000d-

[Jofa2000]

Welcome from Salem virginia,,,,,

Thank you! Checked out Salem. Looks like you are close to a major mountain ridge. That means fly fishing to me
/Johan

[Jofa2000]

I think it would be appreciated by club members to learn more about this. I can teach. But need to widen my knowledge. Special tools? Best places for spares? What and how to – and what to avoid

Hälsningar
Johan

Welcome!

On spinning reels, there are a few useful tools —- but nothing too weird or expensive. 

Good hollow-ground screwdrivers such as used by gunsmiths.

Decent needle nose pliers.

Nut drivers and/or sockets in metric and standard sizes.

Picks.

Punches.

Organizing trays.

A cleaning system for parts such as an ultrasonic cleaner & cleaning agents.

Toothbrushes.

Microfiber cloth.

Synthetic grease & synthetic oil + needle applicators & brushes.

————————————

Spare parts on modern spinning reels are generally either hard to find or get shipped for a reasonable price.  Many modern manufacturers choose to not produce parts for their spinning reels after 2 to 5 years.

————————————-

A system that has worked for me is to disassemble a reel completely after inspecting and checking for any operational issues.  Then clean every part being careful to avoid cleaning chemicals that may ruin, melt, or distort parts and finishes on the parts.

Then, I reassemble the spool assembly completely —- and set it aside.

Next, assemble the complete rotor & bail assembly —- and set it aside.

Then assemble the complete crank handle assembly —- and set that aside.

Then start on the interior casing, gears, anti-reverse system —- checking function as I continue the assembly process, along with the drag system if it is a rear drag reel.

When that is completed, attach the rotor, then the spool shaft, checking operation as you go.

Then button up the side plate and attach the crank handle assembly.

Check all functions.

Snap on the spool —- then wipe down the reel with a micro+fiber cloth.

This is a simple and general explanation —- every reel is a little different.

Plastic, or graphite reels are an issue —- since they generally cannot be serviced more than a few times before the screw holes will become stripped.

My last advice might be to try and specialize in a few quality brands instead of everything.

For me, I only work these days on spinners from D-A-M Quick, ABU/Zebco Cardinals, Mitchell's, and Penns.  And no graphite or plastic reels.  Plus I stock hundreds of thousands of parts for these reels.

You can try to be all things to all people —- but it will be frustrating and mostly non-productive, plus waste a lot of time.

Spinning reels are simple —- but like most things, it is helpful to break down the service and repair into smaller individual component assemblies —- and to not get frightened by the number of parts when all disassembled.

Physical & mental organization — along with a system — are key.

Best, Fred

Thank you Fred! I carefully read your answer. Copied it to a safe place. If I show your pictures to my wife – maybe she will understand that I don't have too many things?
Goldsmiths screwdrivers. Now checked this type out. They look very useful indeed. Never saw them before!  I have the right oils and greases and some nice expensive tools.

My first goal is to show our fishing club members how to prolong the life span of their reels. By washing in fresh water. A drop of oil in the right place. A little grease. Simple stuff.  As this is in fashion again I hope to reach out. And eventually there will be some reels that are worth repairing.

Now I'm at the right place! Finally.

Kind regards
Johan

[Jofa2000]

Welcome Johan from Southern California! - John

Thank you for saying hi! I looked up Rubidoux, California. It looks a lot like my second home. Turkey. My wife is Turkish and I lived there. This summer I went to the high mountains near Georgia. Proved to be a favourite vaccation-place for saudis. They even brought their trucks and jeeps! Unfortunately littering the creeks with picnic leftovers.