Jigmaster Spools

[Ratchet]

The problem I'm having is with one of the 500's came with a spool for a HS and didn't fit properly so replaced it with one for a standard 500. with the bearing caps cranked in I still have to much play.

Greenwood,

Does the problem reel have Accurate sideplates (Accuplates)?  If so, inspect the insides of the right-side bearing cap (this is the Crank handle side).  The right side bearing cap for the Penn 500 jigmaster has a small inverted metal "cone" inside that acts as a spacer.  This "cone" is not removable so if it is missing, then 2 left-side bearing caps were installed, hence the side-to-side spool play. 

(I think the modified bearing cap with cone is on the right side, maybe it was the left???  It has been a long time (over 10 years) so I'm a bit foggy.)

I also recall that the Newell spool for the 338 will fit a Accuplated reel with 2 left-side bearing caps installed. That was the trick way to get the lite-wt. graphite Newell spool on a Penn Jigmaster reel.