Here's another one of those reels that nobody seems to care about. I bought this thing on eBay for 5 bucks... ...seriously! Why bother even fooling around shipping something for 5 bucks? I'd have tossed it into the trash and moved on. :D Luckily there are sellers out there more ambitious than me. The only way I can loose on this thing is if it's locked up. It looks pretty good in the fleabay photo.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4861/31108536517_b1c163a4e3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXo6T)
Popping off the side plates(note both sides pop off) exhibits a strong, simple design. It's hard to see through the grease but that main has a bronze like glow. The pinion is a heavy piece, not skimpy at all. I generally consider this a lighter build style as compared to my favorite, the worm gear style, but this reel is a bit bigger than the Penn 720s and Mitchell 300s that share this gearing. This reel's main is larger, with deeper teeth, and just looks a little tougher.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4822/31108536447_b07a8ba1c3_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXo5F)
Could a reel be built from fewer moving parts? This is the entire drive train...bravo Heddon!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4818/31108535917_4e94acbb83_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXnVx)
The AR dog and controls are standard Penn fare...so no worries there.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4917/31108536207_fba1471144_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXo1x)
All the bits and pieces nicely prepped and cleaned.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4890/31108535427_cc86d9dfdb_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXnM6)
I really like this reel's bearing retainer. It's much easier to work with than those darn clip rings that so many reels use. The bearing is huge too...like a Dam Quick bearing. These reels were made in Japan and assembled in the USA.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4872/31108535197_7a03e39949_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXnH8)
A closer look at the main gear reveals that bronze glow I noted is just a type of cadmium plating or something. The threaded section shows the plating undisturbed by wear...looks a lot like bronze. The magnet tells the truth though, the gear post is steel.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4825/31108534837_3ecc466e25_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXnAV)
The face of the gear shows a lot of wear and pitting on the teeth. This part of the gear must be aluminum or something as soft. I'm not sure what type of pressure it could withstand, but it sure rotates smoothly. No clunks or vibrations...very free spinning...but not sloppy at all.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4835/31108534477_0cfdeb89e1_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXnuH)
The gearbox reassembled and lubed with Penn Blue. I thought a heavier grease would compliment the worn gear well.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4854/45135656555_588c913dee_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bLu3c6)
The drag system on this reel defies everything I've learned or been taught about drags. It has very little surface area...it has only two friction surfaces...but it has the strongest smoothest drag of any vintage spinning reel I've encountered! The two leather discs go between the spool and the keyed metal disc, and the spring washer on top. That's it! I'm still scratching my head. :-\
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4884/31108533847_48b6a3006e_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXniR)
I guess I'll have to use this thing to see if the feel and drag live up to the abuse of fishing. If so...my $5 forgotten spinner earns a place beside the classics. 8)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4881/45135656205_ade2c1eb23_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bLu364)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4897/31108533097_ed4781b074_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PoXn5V)
Great job on the clean up, Mo!
Nice job, great pics, good evaluation, Mike!
I do not know why these reels do not have a better following? Probably just lack of parts availability.
Attractive, well built, decent materials, good company.
I have never fished one — but have around 15 of them in various sizes.
Looking forward to your "water video evaluation"!
Best,
Fred
That's a nice little reel ! Good job .
Quote from: mo65 on November 25, 2018, 09:59:57 PM
...seriously! Why bother even fooling around shipping something for 5 bucks? I'd have tossed it into the trash and moved on. :D
No you would'nt ;D
Quote from: Rivverrat on November 25, 2018, 11:39:28 PM
Quote from: mo65 on November 25, 2018, 09:59:57 PM
...seriously! Why bother even fooling around shipping something for 5 bucks? I'd have tossed it into the trash and moved on. :D
No you would'nt ;D
You got me there Jeff. I've even been known to pull a junker
out of the trash. 8)
Looks as good as new Mike! Nice job and great breakdown.
..............Lou
Good looking reel. The two-tone green is very '50s-60s-ish (I like it). Got a 222 that's similar, but the drag is missing the spring washer & I haven't got around to finishing a replacement.
Frank
Mike, are you sure the drags friction washers are leather ?
Nice purchase, Mike. Those green Heddons are from the mid-late '60s and seem to have weathered a lot of years of uses & abuses. Most parts were made by Olympic in Japan & assembled, at least partially, in the USA.
Quote from: Rivverrat on November 26, 2018, 04:15:30 AM
Mike, are you sure the drags friction washers are leather ?
I'm pretty sure they are leather Jeff. I know the coloring makes them look like asbestos brake lining material. I thought they were asbestos until I pulled one and it was soft. If you click on the photo it will take you to Flickr where you can zoom on the picture and see the detail of the material very well. It's a
usable zoom...doesn't get all fuzzy and worthless.
Thanks everyone for the kind words. This project has been a learning experience, and I never figured an old Heddon for a learning experience. 8)
Great deal and nice fix-up, Mo. I haven't ordered any reels lately, got all the D-A-M Quicks, Penn conventionals, and Shakespeare spinners I'll ever need. Maybe Heddon should be my next target. They're pretty reels and although most are made in Japan, they're definitely collectible.
I was testing the drag power on this reel today and was pleased to find it was as I suspected, above average for this class of reel. It made 10 pounds finger tightened, and slipped very smooth at any power setting. I never expected more than 5 pounds as I took the spool apart. The size and number of washers just didn't scream "performance". I guess it just goes to show you...don't judge the book by the cover. 8)
I just recently fell in love with these reels myself! I got a few for less then $10 . they are great reels ! and lots of fun to fix up ! I agree ..... thanks for posting!
What do you think that main gear is made of? I've seen the reddish/orange color on some of the Heddon main gears, and, not being a metallurgist, I'm puzzling over it. I've heard of something called "red brass"; anybody know anything about it? Or, are these gears some type of alloy with a plating to maybe make it look better than it is?
Frank
Great job Mike thanks for the pics, what a steal, cheers Don.
Quote from: happyhooker on April 19, 2019, 01:10:20 AM
What do you think that main gear is made of? I've seen the reddish/orange color on some of the Heddon main gears, and, not being a metallurgist, I'm puzzling over it. I've heard of something called "red brass"; anybody know anything about it? Or, are these gears some type of alloy with a plating to maybe make it look better than it is?
Frank
It's definitely a plating, you can see where it's worn off in the close up pic of the gear. Although the gear appears to be an alloy...it's not cast...it looks to be cut. The gear post is steel. 8)
Hey Mike, what's this red braided line? Sure makes a Heddon look sharp.
BTW, the 248 is a much better built reel than the 238 I got in the mail this morning.
Quote from: festus on April 22, 2019, 11:06:40 PM
Hey Mike, what's this red braided line? Sure makes a Heddon look sharp.
BTW, the 248 is a much better built reel than the 238 I got in the mail this morning.
That's the first thing I noticed when researching schematics of these Heddons...build style varies greatly within the series. I was going to give you the eBay link to that line...but the dealer is out of red. Just search Kast King braid, and Hercules too, you'll see a gazillion dealers. Be sure to get the 8 strand...it blows the four strand away at only a few cents more per foot. 8)
Mo, you'd like the 233, it's a miniature 248.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_10_06_19_3_06_32.jpeg)
BTW, I ordered a 248, it should be here Thursday.
Wow Chester! That's a great 248...boxed and all...nice score!
Quote from: mo65 on June 10, 2019, 10:58:12 PM
Wow Chester! That's a great 248...boxed and all...nice score!
Yes it really is !! Its a classy looking reel in a working man sort of way.... to my eye at least. But I only got one good one... Jeff
powerpro makes red
Quote from: mo65 on December 02, 2018, 06:01:52 AM
I was testing the drag power on this reel today and was pleased to find it was as I suspected, above average for this class of reel. It made 10 pounds finger tightened, and slipped very smooth at any power setting. I never expected more than 5 pounds as I took the spool apart. The size and number of washers just didn't scream "performance". I guess it just goes to show you...don't judge the book by the cover. 8)
I have been told before that leather drag washers have a lot of stopping power. Sounds like you are confirming that here!
Quote from: The Fishing Hobby on June 12, 2019, 04:08:05 AM
I have been told before that leather drag washers have a lot of stopping power. Sounds like you are confirming that here!
In this reel's case yes, the leather drags work great, but in most cases they tend to be "jerky" at high settings. I'm learning the key is that the leathers have to be fresh, not burnt smooth and black, to the point they appear to be plastic. Also oiling them is a must...greasing leather drags hasn't worked out for me. 8)
From Mike —
Also oiling them is a must...greasing leather drags hasn't worked out for me.
—————————————————-
It's the same as a ball player working oil into his glove — makes everything last longer, work better, plus it is smoother, with no glazing or hardening.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: foakes on June 12, 2019, 05:39:21 AM
It's the same as a ball player working oil into his glove — makes everything last longer, work better, plus it is smoother, with no glazing or hardening.
That's correct Fred. I forgot to mention that most folks say neatsfoot oil is the preferred oil for leather drags. Also boot oil and mink oil are good.
My Heddon 248 arrived this afternoon. It was mint. Looks like someone may have spooled line onto it, but never fished it. The box had that smell of an old mom and pop hardware store with the hardwood floors from the 1960s. It was just a little stiff, but felt better than some newly rebuilt Heddons.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_12_06_19_4_10_02.jpeg)
Looking inside, it definitely needed some new grease. Same old brown grease that appears in Mo's reel at the beginning of the thread.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_12_06_19_4_10_32.jpeg)
After a little wiping, I found a threaded pin underneath all that grease that needed removed to get the axle out.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_12_06_19_4_11_00.jpeg)
No need to service the bail assembly or anti-reverse assembly. Any of the parts other than the side plates and housing that needed cleaning got a dip and shake in a small jar of lacquer thinner.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_12_06_19_4_11_25.jpeg)
The housing and side plates only needed a good wipedown with Q-Tips and paper towel. After the wipedown, they got a squirt of Reel Kleen reel cleaner and a second wipedown.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_12_06_19_4_12_04.jpeg)
Mo, my 248 had felt washers instead of leather.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_12_06_19_4_12_30.jpeg)
I thought this was a good buy for 12 bucks plus shipping. The side plate appears dented in the picture, nope, it's just a reflection from the shiny tag. This reel is bigger than a Mitchell 300, Shakespeare 2062, or D-A-M Quick 220. Didn't do a side-to-side comparison, but imagine it's about the size of a D-A-M Quick 330.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_12_06_19_4_12_56.jpeg)
Nice acquisition, Chester. Too nice to fish! ;D
Quote from: Midway Tommy on June 13, 2019, 04:09:52 AM
Nice acquisition, Chester. Too nice to fish! ;D
I hate to say this.... I agree, I wouldnt fish it. I'd probably put it in my favored drawer & pull it out every now & then.
Something about this reel is pleasing to me... Jeff
That is a beautiful reel and you have all the goodies too! Great deal!!!
Nice reel! love that color combination.
Sal
Quote from: festus on June 12, 2019, 11:36:33 PM
Mo, my 248 had felt washers instead of leather.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/28/17863_12_06_19_4_12_30.jpeg)
I notice it has the same metals though...and the same order too. I thought it was odd that the wave washer is sandwiched between two friction washers. I'm not sure how the felt washers perform, but the leather ones produce an excellent drag, especially for such a rudimentary setup.
Found this old 248 ad online. Good bargain on a quality reel.
Hello I recently bought a Heddon 281 and I wanted to take my 8 year old nephew to fish with it. Should I be concerned about the original paint used. Its not lead paint right? Any feedback would be appreciated thanks.
Bayardo