Just acquired 2052. Did they make a metal spool for this reel? How hard is it to find badge?
No, only black or white plastic. Since it's an UL plastic should be more than adequate. Side plates and medallions popup every now and then on eBay.
it's not the spool you need to worry about...
is the cam under the spool earlier metal, or later crappy grey plastic?
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=25104.60
I have this re-occurring idea about a Frankenspeare 2052 where I take a metal push-button release spool and shaft and graft them into the 2052 body and rotor. Every once in a while I'll try to fit components but haven't found the magic combo yet. I guess when all is said and done I would wind up with a purple/maroon Daiwa 8100...but what a fine 2052 it would be. The benefit would be getting rid of the plastic bushing/click-gear and gaining a better drag and push-button spool changes. I have found some spools that were close but no cigar. I feel like once a spool is sourced, the corresponding shaft would hopefully be fairly easy to modify. This project isn't even on the back burner...it fell behind the stove.