I can't believe as long as I've collected reels this is my first S model Jiggy...what rock have I been under?? What a cool reel! The design, the look, the quality of parts, all add up to a great value. This reel had chrome plated parts under the hood as well as on the body. The bridge, jack, and eccentric all were chromed. I'm not sure if all had a steel main, but this one does. And that fantastic red spool...yes...the 500S is a looker.
One of the problems though, is all that chrome is inviting corrosion. Many of these reels are trashed from users not rinsing them well after use. Ebay is loaded with crusty S models. I got lucky and found this one before it got snapped up. This seller photo is pretty good for a change. It appears the reel is probably unused.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/46955712302_08ee6b4caa_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2exjimA)
Sellers spray these reels down with WD-40 or Armour All and from a distance all looks well. A closer inspection reveals the truth...that unused reel has indeed been used. Although the damage is minimal, if left unchecked, this corrosion will continue to eat up the reel. Just wiping with an oily rag won't help, that corrosion needs neutralized. A simple vinegar bath will stop the chemical process.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4806/33132124458_8e6761f766_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/StLNi9)
Trying to remove the "Take Apart" tail plate can often be tough on these. Mine was compounded by a bent pin. The red arrow points to the offending pin.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4804/46283471224_ecab05408e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dvUTvb)
Here's my quick easy fix for the bent pin. Just slip a small wrench over the pin and use it to bend it back into position. Be careful though! Bent lightly...it moves easier than you think.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7831/46955711682_8ef8154afd_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2exjiaU)
Another common issue discussed many times is the eccentric spring catching on the jack. The yellow arrow points to the damage...the blue arrow points to the source.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7803/33132124078_cfd305f026_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/StLNbA)
A quick spin of the Dremel solves that pesky problem!
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7868/46955711132_bdc32f053e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2exji1q)
Since this reel will be on my shelf I left all internals stock. The one single modification was a .005 shim behind the gear sleeve...only because a clunking handle drives me mad.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4884/33132123648_e0ae4021bb_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/StLN4b)
With the head plate reassembled all that chrome really does look cool.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4818/46955710292_a28220a0c0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2exjhKW)
All in all, at a glance, the reel looks no different than it did when I received it. But a savvy collector knows this one will last forever, while the one with corroded screws is living on borrowed time. 8)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7875/33132123248_eff62bd35b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/StLMWh)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7846/33132122838_47023d383e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/StLMPd)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7859/46283471424_7c8ed78da5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dvUTyC)
Nice looking reel Mike.
Joe
Good work, and great pics along with an informative narrative.
The Jigmaster, in whatever model it happens to be — IMO, is the reel that started this all — and the reel that won the West.
Thanks for sharing, Mike!
Best,
Fred
Thanks Moe. 8) I am jealous. Dominick
It's interesting to see the different take-apart mechanism, compared to the regular JigMasters, Squidders, and SurfMasters. Thanks for posting this.
She's a Beaut, Mike, great find buddy!
Beautiful reel! I got one about a year ago cheap, but it had the chromed brass spool. I found a parts reel later with a black aluminum spool. Mo, those red spools are expensive, I could have bought 3 or 4 more Jigmasters for the price of what they were selling on ebay.
really nice reel Mo.
I like how the dog is hold it by a C-clip, thats not a normal system on the regular Jigmaster
Mike you aren't sposed to let out secrets....
Quote from: thorhammer on February 07, 2019, 02:06:35 AM
Mike you aren't sposed to let out secrets....
Nope brother...I'm afraid I can't take credit for spillin' the beans. This thread was what inspired me to find a clean 500s for my collection. 8)
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=23552.0
Quote from: festus on February 06, 2019, 10:17:56 PM
Beautiful reel! I got one about a year ago cheap, but it had the chromed brass spool. I found a parts reel later with a black aluminum spool. Mo, those red spools are expensive, I could have bought 3 or 4 more Jigmasters for the price of what they were selling on ebay.
Festus, this's onea them spools I have that's extra. Don't recollect the condition underneath the line, but there's some slight rub marks on the flange edges. Your's for shipping cost($8-12 - ?).
Nice reel, I wonder why they did not catch on well. Good trick on using a small wrench to straighten a bent post, thanks.
I picked up a never used 500S many years ago for cheep and have never used it. I did take it apart to build a no takedown 501 when Ron said he did not like the takedown reels. I used the handle side of the 500S and one of my 501's. I also put together one at the same time that both sides came off.
Quote from: Gfish on February 07, 2019, 03:24:51 PM
Quote from: festus on February 06, 2019, 10:17:56 PM
Beautiful reel! I got one about a year ago cheap, but it had the chromed brass spool. I found a parts reel later with a black aluminum spool. Mo, those red spools are expensive, I could have bought 3 or 4 more Jigmasters for the price of what they were selling on ebay.
Festus, this's onea them spools I have that's extra. Don't recollect the condition underneath the line, but there's some slight rub marks on the flange edges. Your's for shipping cost($8-12 - ?).
PM sent, brother, I appreciate it!
Quote from: mike1010 on February 06, 2019, 07:59:18 PM
It's interesting to see the different take-apart mechanism, compared to the regular JigMasters, Squidders, and SurfMasters. Thanks for posting this.
Quote from: Keta on February 07, 2019, 05:54:04 PM
Nice reel, I wonder why they did not catch on well. Good trick on using a small wrench to straighten a bent post, thanks. I picked up a never used 500S many years ago for cheep and have never used it. I did take it apart to build a no takedown 501 when Ron said he did not like the takedown reels. I used the handle side of the 500S and one of my 501's. I also put together one at the same time that both sides came off.
The take apart feature on this 500S is much more robust than the old Squidder/Surfy/Jiggy type. Just because mine had a bent post isn't an indication of weakness...more like someone just carelessly tried to pry it open. Actually, the way it works, I can't see a side plate popping off under a load. Those posts fit into way bigger stronger slots than the regular type. It really does make ya wonder why it only lasted a few years...probably to expensive to produce. Those 500S non-handle side rings are no longer available...someone must have liked them! 8)
Wow that's sweet looking 500s!
Quote from: Reel 224 on February 06, 2019, 06:14:47 PM
Nice looking reel Mike.
Joe
If I found one that good looking, it'd probably go home with me too! :)
Good job and great pics.
The take apart feature on this 500s is not more robust than the Jigmaster 500. The 500s was Penn's first attempt at coming out with new LEXAN (plastic) sideplates and solid chromed over brass posts.
Penn put the one screw take apart on the left side, figuring that the reel would not torque as much as their standard 500 jigmaster when squidding. Well just the opposite occurred. Party boats bought these reels for their rentals, they lost more spools and sideplates with this design then the older jigmaster 500 it was supposed to replace. The 500s frame would often twist fighting fish, that was because the 500s frame and screws are attached very different compare to the regular 500.
The 500s was a disaster for Penn, and was eventually taken off the market after a few years. Penn at one point used to put them in blister packs for the big retail chains, and were sold on sale for $19.99! I got mine for $10.
Interesting bit of history. Thanks.
Sweet reel Mike, thanks for all the info, great pictures to, keep well, stay safe, cheers Don.
Quote from: Surfrat on April 14, 2021, 12:23:41 PM
Penn put the one screw take apart on the left side, figuring that the reel would not torque as much as their standard 500 jigmaster when squidding. Well just the opposite occurred. Party boats bought these reels for their rentals, they lost more spools and sideplates with this design then the older jigmaster 500 it was supposed to replace. The 500s frame would often twist fighting fish, that was because the 500s frame and screws are attached very different compare to the regular 500.
This is the cool part about narrowing the reel and using an aluminum frame...all those twist issues disappear! 8)
Quote from: Surfrat on April 14, 2021, 12:23:41 PM
The take apart feature on this 500s is not more robust than the Jigmaster 500. The 500s was Penn's first attempt at coming out with new LEXAN (plastic) sideplates and solid chromed over brass posts.
Here's what I meant by "more robust". In the first pic, the 500s has beefier posts to hold the side plate in the ring. In the second photo, the old Squidders and Jigmasters had the small "nipples" that can pop out if twisted.
Good point Mo. The spacer bars also added to the strength. Head boats used these reels because they were affordable workhorses, but if not well maintained and also well abused on a daily basis, that opens the door to failure mode on any reel. The 500s design was a success, but the Lexan sideplates was a failed attempt at something new. The red aluminum spool is the best part and makes a nice starting point for a customized 500
Quote from: Maxed Out on April 15, 2021, 12:24:26 AMbut the Lexan sideplates was a failed attempt at something new.
What was the problem with the Lexan sideplates?
They shipped easily, is what I was told by Mike at Penn long ago. I've not had any issue, and I have several S's, but I dare say I handle my reels in general better than they get on a party boat. It was having to use busted up gear- i went through three rods one time on a day trip, including one with splintered fiberglas, not even duct tape on the butt, digging into me- that sent me down the road of buying my first Senator and building a rod for it.
Quote from: nelz on April 15, 2021, 02:36:28 AM
Quote from: Maxed Out on April 15, 2021, 12:24:26 AMbut the Lexan sideplates was a failed attempt at something new.
What was the problem with the Lexan sideplates?
Here's a great description of the troubles experienced with Lexan. For the record...I've had no problems using it in freshwater with aluminum framed reels...they are beautiful side plates when in like new condition. 8)
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=31721.msg372130#msg372130
Hmm, I had no idea. Recently sold my 500S, but it was still near mint even after catching many big blues up North.