Found at the swap meet today. Gave $7.00. The reel wasn't totally frozen and
seemed to have good bones (complete). Truly an ugly duckling that I hoped
to turn in to a lesser ugly duckling. The reel was almost frozen (found sewing thread
wrapped around the internal gears ??). Disassemble and clean up was problem
free... decades of petrified reel grease. Now hums. Anti-reverse is functional.
I admit to a bias in favor of these open face spinners (except the oto-matic !).
Nice to find without torqued up bail arm or missing bits.
I know these are routine run of the mill reels and don't get much financial
appreciation but sure are dependable in many fishing situations.
Charles
https://imgur.com/a/PPQQFY2
Good job...on a good reel !
One of my favorite reels!
Good work!
Best,
Fred
I never get tired of looking at a 300. Boat rash nothing more than some battle scars. The $7 is nothing; your rehab work is where the value comes in.
Frank
Nice score and comparably a very nice reel that will give you years of service. Imagine what kind of modern day reel $7 will buy you...
These are strong reels , well made and beautiful . Not shiny or colorful or custom ,just tools for fishing !
One of my favorites too. But gosh, there are a gazillion of them still out there.
-steve
I agree with all the assessments. I do try to pick them up and place back
in to service when I find them at reasonable cost. (the ones Made in France).
My little brother is a Garcia Mitchell only guy.... has two of the open faced
spinners all the way to the largest.
...cannot seem to get the quick change spool release to release... have taken
apart three times ...all looks appropriate. Not sure what the hang up is.... the
button depresses but doesn't release. Any thoughts appreciated. I'll review my
exploded view to see if I'm overlooking something.
Charles
late edit.... got the spool release to work. The "blades" were a little
katywhompus. Realigned and all is right with the world...er, reel. 8)
Charles
Always good to see an old reliable go back to work. 8)
Show of hands from those who had the quick change spool release let go unexpectedly and drop your spool in the water. Me twice.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on June 24, 2019, 06:28:16 AM
Show of hands from those who had the quick change spool release let go unexpectedly and drop your spool in the water. Me twice.
-steve
Never had that happen, but I had numerous experiences of a front spool drag knob adjustment tightening during a play. I finally wised up, saw the advantages and switched exclusively to fulcrum drags. Probably didn't have that happen because I quit fishing any type of front drag right after fulcrums were released. :D
This morning I cleaned by removing a glob of some type of very heavy black grease from the gear case of my 1970 dated Mitchell 300. It was obtained from a yard sale. Cleaned it to the bare metal. It had been some what hard to crank. It was already shimmed . Lubed it with Penn blue grease.
One sweet running reel. Well built. True statement cann't find that quality in today's ball bearing wonders.