Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Friend gave it to me because he knows I fish and fix stuff. Any ideas about how I might find a replacement part? Or not worth the trouble, just toss it?

If you can post some photos and/or describe which parts are affected we could advise you on solutions. Bails are fairly precise but can almost always be fixed. These Ted Williams reels we built by other companies so there may be compatible parts available.

-Mike

Thanks Mike, here are some pics. It looks like someone previously tried to weld the bail back together. I can take more pics if that would be helpful.

Your reel looks to be in really nice condition and is worth repairing. Bails and other parts for those seldom come up for sale so you'll most likely have to find a well used reel for a parts reel. They are fairly common on eBay for a reasonable price, but you can also check to see if by chance someone is parting out a 410.

BTW, the bails on those were originally brazed/welded at that connection. It looks like it got broken and someone tried to do a crude repair with solder. That repair, if it stayed in tact, would be really rough on  line.

I agree with Tommy. Your reel is in really nice condition and deserves a 2nd chance. Your bail system looks unique and likely not common to one of the more abundant reels and not easily repaired in its current condition. Be patient...it may take a while to find a good donor at the right price. You might consider converting it to a manual pick-up in the meantime.

-Mike

 Ha i think i have one , there is a slight difference tho .    This one has a acorn nut instead of a screw on the outside .

 The bail does swivel in the block  , that`s why i don`t think you can solder it .
   It must be your birthday, and i can send you a card with something in it .

Quote from: oldmanjoe on July 05, 2022, 10:14:04 PMHa i think i have one , there is a slight difference tho .    This one has a acorn nut instead of a screw on the outside .

 The bail does swivel in the block  , that`s why i don`t think you can solder it .
   It must be your birthday, and i can send you a card with something in it .

Thanks, that looks like the one! I love birthday cards, I'll message you my address.

    Ok    I really did sent you a birthday card , you should receive it by Tuesday 

The Ohana at its best. Thanks Joe.  Dominick

If that's the serial # under the model #, I wish more companies would do it that way.
Good on ya, Joe!

Quote from: Gfish on July 08, 2022, 08:07:31 PMIf that's the serial # under the model #, I wish more companies would do it that way.
Good on ya, Joe!

I think they are the serial #    I have 591.38401 and 402 .      These reels came from a salesman in sears sporting goods dept many many years ago .  These reels were made in Italy, were as other were made in Japan

Quote from: Gfish on July 08, 2022, 08:07:31 PMIf that's the serial # under the model #, I wish more companies would do it that way.
Good on ya, Joe!

The first three numbers on the Sears' model numbers indicate who the manufacturer is/was.

Thank you so much oldmanjoe! Your lovely card arrived today, and the reel is back in business! The bail doesn't always snap back all the way, which I assume is a weak bail spring, but that's a project for another day.

It's mounted on a 7'0 medium Ted Williams rod that my buddy gave me with the reel. In the spirit of your generosity, I offered to give it back to him with the repaired reel, but he told me his fishing days are over and to keep it. I'll spool it up with some fresh line tonight, and head out to one of the local lakes tomorrow and put it to good use.

Thanks again for your help. This board is pretty darned awesome! 

Sometimes the Spring is fine but the bail arm is slightly bent or rubbing so you can take a small crescent wrench and move it around a bit to get the bail to snap shut better.And I mean ever so slight .  Way to check this is to loosen the Screw a bit and see if it closes better .
Left click once on image to enlarge Click again to SUPERSIZE

Henry has pointed you in the right direction, but sometimes the bail might be slightly bent which creates a slight bind. Keep testing and adjusting it until it closes smoothly and completely. Make sure you don't have any grease or oil in the spring cavity, also. All they will do is slow the spring tension and response down. A good alternative for oil, I've found, is ArmorAll. It doesn't attract dirt near as bad as oil or grease. Grease is an absolute no-no.