Finessa 280/285

[quang tran]

To get to bearing you don't need to remove that acorn nut , it's a looking ring at bearing flange

[foakes]

On the Finessas with a removable under-spool metal flange, the flange must be removed since it also serves as a bearing retainer.

Best, Fred

[jgp12000]

The 4 mm socket got the acorn trip screw out,I replaced the bearing with a Fast Eddie Ceramic bearing.

This is my 1st teardown of a 285,I like my 220s,but with these guys make it simple no badges or decals,or snap ring to deal with.Paint touch up is good with black satin or VHT wrinkle paint.I just need some parts from my favorite DQ supplier  

Me caveman,me like simple...

[foakes]

👍🏻👍🏻 Best, Fred

[quang tran]

Interesting to know that , Is it the same on 330 ?

[oldmanjoe]

     OH,OH Hey Fred ,Can I  get 2 or 3 of those extra long threaded tripper screws for my current project . PLease 

[foakes]

Sure, Joe —-

No sweat.

Best, Fred

[jgp12000]

I might need a couple added to my list Fred, it should do me for the next 50 years

Side note:
my 6 year old grandson is a die hard fisherman,the
10 year old prefers hunting.

Anywho,he showed "Grammie" a granddaddy trick while the 2 of them were on the dock alone.
She told me later after he went home.

He caught a small bream on the bream buster & baited up the
Bass combo with it.

Hopefully they will use this reel after I don't need it...

[quang tran]

The 4 mm socket got the acorn trip screw out,I replaced the bearing with a Fast Eddie Ceramic bearing.

This is my 1st teardown of a 285,I like my 220s,but with these guys make it simple no badges or decals,or snap ring to deal with.Paint touch up is good with black satin or VHT wrinkle paint.I just need some parts from my favorite DQ supplier  

Me caveman,me like simple...

Sorry that I gave wrong information for DQ Finessa

[jgp12000]

QT it happens to all of us,good thing about at.com we can bounce things off each other & find a fix.

[jgp12000]

Also,how do you replace this guy?
It appears to have a roll pin holding it in,this one is rusted??

[foakes]

Those are not an easy project, and I avoid it if possible.

Alternative I do —- remove the spring, then clean every part of the trip lever piece with a fine mini SS wire wheel on a Dremel that is possible to get to, then blow it off, and apply some penetrating oil such as Kroil, or similar to the pivot pin area inside the trip lever holder.

This will free it up nicely in nearly every case, and the rust will be gone. 

In cases where this is not possible, and the components are too far gone —- it will take a method that may or may not break or distort the lever holder.  If that happens, you might as well replace all (6) parts to this mechanism —- trip lever, trip lever holder, pivot pin, spring, and the (2) brass rivets that must be installed and peened in place.

Of course, I have gotten lucky about half the time —- and the pivot pin is easily removed and the lever replaced.  Other times, not so much —- and it turns into a time-consuming and finicky procedure.

The problem when exerting too much pressure on the pivot pin occurs as the holder is bent, or just breaks off during these procedures.

This pivot point needs a drop of good synthetic oil that will both protect it from rust, and stay in place.

Over the years, I have found that this is the most overlooked lubrication point missed by nearly every reel tech or owner of these reels.

Another fix is a replacement rotor which includes the trip mechanism already.  I have so many parts, so in the interest of time and frustration elimination —- that is what I generally do.

You can also modify an old pair of flat needle nose pliers as a pin removal tool.  Here is a pin removal tool I made by modifying a Knipex 20-160 plier.  Sometimes, the best tools are the ones you modify for a particular purpose.

Best, Fred

[jgp12000]

Yes it looks like the pin is rusted as well,"If it works,don't fix it" a little rust never hurt anyone.I will just kroil the trip lever & fish with it 50 more years

[jgp12000]

I jumped the gun & got another 285 for cheap as a parts reel.Blinded by the price I failed to notice it was setup for left hand retrieve I moved it to the left side before I realized the lever arm(100504) is different .Also,it doesn't have the bearing flange as the other 285 but the snap ring setup.The handles are different as well,one is round-no chrome,the other is chrome. Now I have 2 parts reels...Fred,do you have a good schematic for these guys the one I Currently have doesn't show any bail/rotor components? I need to add to my parts order before you send anything.I know you have some big upcoming projects,no rush,I am retired

[foakes]

I'll post some various schematics later today or tonight, James —-

With 4 different Finessa versions, and variations within the versions —- and a lack of clear model numbers on these, and also parts that sometimes interchange —- it is oftentimes difficult to know which reel you are getting —- until it shows up on your bench!

Fortunately, I have parts for all possibilities, and 45+ years of first hand experience with these —- and you, and many other smart & astute members on our site are gaining the same good experience.

These Finessas don't cost much, they are seriously undervalued by anglers as "Dad's Old Reels" —-  it if properly and completely restored and serviced, they will outlast any of us on this site, and become lifelong friends.

Strong, capable, smooth, and effective reels for a wide range of fishing conditions and target species.

I have maybe 75 to 100 of these as complete reels, plus all parts.  So no worries.

Looks like Winter stole a couple of bases while we weren't looking, and is now sliding into home plate at least 30 to 45 days ahead of an average start.

Church over in Oakhurst today, lunch with friends afterwards, an hour back home, then time with Sue and some relaxation.

Starting on our RV carport tomorrow.  Ordered the cut list for the lumber, got all hardware, moving 240V electrical this week, cement coming in a few days, not going to order the metal roofing until the framework is completed and I am certain of the exact lengths.

After realizing I could not get the knife-making bench off of the truck by myself, I disassembled all of the hardware & removed the motors from the top.  Discovered that the motors are nearly new, but they are 1/2 hp 208V @ 1725rpm's.  So now I need to do a separate dedicated circuit from the sub panel to this new setup.  And I am not happy with the loose wiring the guy did — so it will be all EMT, RACO Boxes, and proper gauge wires and switches, grounded, simple, sanitary — with a master power kill switch for powering on and off quickly and safely.  The bench has a steel top.  I will likely reduce the size of the bench.

Still selling the boat after I get it restored, and still have the Mazda Speed in the garage for sale, then a complete re-organization of the (7) outer shops to include a truckload of new tools, and all of the holidays and events coming up between now and January.  Plus life in general, and spending time with Sue and hopefully a couple of travel trailer camping trips.

Looks like I scrubbed my solo 7 day backpacking trip for this year dues to weather and projects t9 get done before Winter.  And will wait another 6-7 months to re-oil the deck due to wet and cool weather.

There will be time for reel work during storms and in between outside jobs.

Where we live, it is also important to be prepared for any surprises either in our own lives —- or in helping others.  Life sometimes has a way of throwing curveballs when we are not ready.

I do enjoy having purpose, and staying busy.

Sounds corny, right?  But everyone is a little different.  Just how I roll.

Best, Fred