Frozen side plate

[SouthcoastFisherman]

I'm working on two reels: a Penn Surfmaster 200 and a Surfmaster 250. The side plate on the 200 is frozen in place. I've sprayed down the rings and innards with PB-Blaster in hopes of loosening things up.

Unfortunately, I've been unsuccessful getting it loose with a screw driver through the frame as leverage or by gently prying between the plate and frame with a razor blade.

I was wondering if anyone had tried freezing it to shrink the Bakelite or had any other tricks?

On the 250, I have the opposite issue. The side plate is impossible to slide into place for the thumb screw to engage the threads. When I got the reel, it was very dry but in great shape. But it took some playing around the get the side plate off.

Has anyone tried filing the nubs on the side plate for a reel with this issue? Any ideas?

[foakes]

Salt and crud crusted is kind of typical on acquired used Penn conventionals.

Freezing might help, but a combination of freezing —- then heating is better, but likely not possible with the Bakelite plates still in place.

My best method is to use a strap wrench while the reel is clamped in a vise using an old section of a rod butt mount to hold the reel in the vise.

On the one hard to get on, a complete cleaning of the frame and take-apart spring thumb screw is in order, and the strap wrench may help here also.

Best, Fred

[SouthcoastFisherman]

Salt and crud crusted is kind of typical on acquired used Penn conventionals.

Freezing might help, but a combination of freezing —- then heating is better, but likely not possible with the Bakelite plates still in place.

My best method is to use a strap wrench while the reel is clamped in a vise using an old section of a rod butt mount to hold the reel in the vise.

On the one hard to get on, a complete cleaning of the frame and take-apart spring thumb screw is in order, and the step wrench may help here also.

Best, Fred

I'll pick up a strap wrench on Amazon, definitely worth a try. My 250 is the most pristine vintage Penn reel I've owned. The leather drag washers are in like new condition and it seems to have been lightly used or not used at all.

[oldmanjoe]

 I may or maybe not wrong , but I would warm up the rings first .  Heat will make the ring grow .  Cold will shrink the rings and make them tighter to the bakelite . The steel will chill quicker than the bakelite .

[Maxed Out]

 For the stuck 200, try using the handle blade to help turn the sideplate, while holding out the thumbscrew with your thumb

[oc1]

Penn was trying to be ingenious with the quick take-apart feature but it backfired.  If you don't take it apart frequently then it will lock you out of the internals forever.

Strap wrench and Blaster.

[SouthcoastFisherman]

Penn was trying to be ingenious with the quick take-apart feature but it backfired.  If you don't take it apart frequently then it will lock you out of the internals forever.

Strap wrench and Blaster.

It's a great concept but it fails if one doesn't take care of their reels regularly.

[SouthcoastFisherman]

For the stuck 200, try using the handle blade to help turn the sideplate, while holding out the thumbscrew with your thumb

Antireverse isn't working, so I can't get any leverage with the handle.