A DAM Quick 221 is a very rare, capable, incredibly well engineered, and relatively unknown reel.
The only thing that sets it apart from its much more popular cousin —- the excellent and versatile 220 —- are the high speed gears —- 1:5, instead of the more typical 1:3.
Lots of folks see the 221 number, and have either no idea about these reels —- or they think it is a left-handed reel (actually many, if not most of the DQ's are easily switchable from left-side to right side crank already).
Plus, the crank arm is longer for added control and torque (useful when presenting a bait upriver —- and letting it travel naturally with the current —- while keeping it off the bottom and a no slack line —- ready for a set), a small red and silver "S" emblem on the side that denotes "Speed", and the 221 badging on the offside plate.
These reels are not that expensive when found as-is, and are not even that expensive after a possible restoration. They are an excellent value when compared to the plastic Tupperware disposable reels coming out of Asia.
Anyway, here is a 60 year reel with original grease, frozen operation, rough & yet ready for a restoration.
After proper cleaning of every tiny nook & cranny inside and outside, burnishing & polishing of every possible piece whether visible or not, replacement of a few parts, repainting to original wrinkle factory flat black —- it is ready for another 60 years of making great memories.
Best, Fred
She cleaned up nice!
Fred, great job. Great reel.
Fred, I have a question, did the 221 or 331 also come with the "High Speed" in the USA, or did they only have the "S" sticker?
Thanks in advance, Walter
Quote from: Walter61 on March 17, 2023, 05:28:53 PMFred, great job. Great reel.
Fred, I have a question, did the 221 or 331 also come with the "High Speed" in the USA, or did they only have the "S" sticker?
Thanks in advance, Walter
To my knowledge, Walter —- just the "S" 1/4" sticker —-
In subsequent series such as the '00, '01, '02, and Champion Baitcasters —- "High Speed" was used.
Best, Fred
Beautiful. I love those reels. what is the line rating for that reel? I like the 5:1 gear ratio for fishing up to 10# bonefish and trevally. from my ultralites 2-4# test, lite 4-8# test, and medium 8-12# test lines. My three spinning set ups for these fish on the reefs.
Hi Bryan —-
6 to 15 pounds.
Very versatile range for a lot of types of fishing.
As with all DQ's —- the engineering and material construction is able to fish much higher than their intended range —- in the case where a very large surprise fish is hooked —- without any damage or without breaking a sweat.
Just bait up and cast again.
Best, Fred
Quote from: foakes on March 17, 2023, 05:33:53 PMQuote from: Walter61 on March 17, 2023, 05:28:53 PMFred, great job. Great reel.
Fred, I have a question, did the 221 or 331 also come with the "High Speed" in the USA, or did they only have the "S" sticker?
Thanks in advance, Walter
To my knowledge, Walter —- just the "S" 1/4" sticker —-
In subsequent series such as the '00, '01, '02, and Champion Baitcasters —- "High Speed" was used.
Best, Fred
Thanks Fred, :d
Here is some information from an old owners manual I pulled out of the bins —-
Best, Fred
Wow, Fred. That's a great restore.
What did you use to get the medallion so shiny?
Matt
Quote from: reelynew on March 18, 2023, 03:15:27 AMWow, Fred. That's a great restore.
What did you use to get the medallion so shiny?
Matt
I just use a very fine wire wheel on a Dremel, Matt —-
Best, Fred
Another disappointment for the landfill!
Frank
Great resto Fred! That 221 is a classic...one of my favorite small spinning reels. :fish
Excellent work, and another great lesson, thank you.
Quote from: Walter61 on March 17, 2023, 05:28:53 PMFred, great job. Great reel.
Fred, I have a question, did the 221 or 331 also come with the "High Speed" in the USA, or did they only have the "S" sticker?
Thanks in advance, Walter
The 331 my parents gave me for Christmas in the early 70s only had (still has) the "S" sticker.
For the longest time - years - I had no idea what it stood for. I knew it was the high speed model from the manual, but the "S" remained a mystery. But really, all I cared about was that it was a joy to fish with. Even today, over 50 years later, it remains my favorite, the one I grab for first.
Quote from: foakes on March 18, 2023, 04:45:33 AMQuote from: reelynew on March 18, 2023, 03:15:27 AMWow, Fred. That's a great restore.
What did you use to get the medallion so shiny?
Matt
I just use a very fine wire wheel on a Dremel, Matt —-
Best, Fred
I've never thought to take a wire brush to that emblem to make it shiny. I kinda like the patina that it gets with some age, a look that shows the reel has been enjoyed, doing what it was built to do, for years.
Then again, everything I've done with my reels would be classified either as use or as maintenance. I've never done a restoration.
I also, after very fine and careful wire-brushing with a Dremel —- I go over it with Nev-R-Dull and a Micro-Fiber cloth for a final shine and protection.
Reels work just as good with out shining them up —- but it is like wearing a sharp new suit with scuffed up shoes —- or putting old rusty hubcaps on a newly painted and restored vehicle. It is OK, but...
Best, Fred
Fishing reel restoration means different things to different folks. To me it means a complete disassemble, thorough cleaning of every part including polishing or burnishing, replacement of any excessively worn parts and complete lube when putting it back together. Some folks include repaint in their restoration definition but I never go the repaint route.
Quote from: Midway Tommy on April 04, 2023, 05:26:27 PMFishing reel restoration means different things to different folks. To me it means a complete disassemble, thorough cleaning of every part including polishing or burnishing, replacement of any excessively worn parts and complete lube when putting it back together. Some folks include repaint in their restoration definition but I never go the repaint route.
The key here, Tom —-
Is not whether or not one goes the repaint or original paint route with any small imperfections or scratches remaining on the restored reel —- it is whether or not it is represented as new and original paint —- when it is not. That is outright fraud and dishonesty.
The reels I offer and build for folks are clearly described and represented as either unpainted or painted.
I understand from a purist's viewpoint that repainting reels, or misrepresenting reels as new, when they are not —- is considered by collectors to be blasphemy and criminal.
However, the reels I do, while I may go too far in making them new, and spend too much time on each one —- are targeted for fishermen to use in their angling —- not set on a shelf.
My approach, since I am fortunate enough to have hundreds of thousands of parts for DQ, Penn, Mitchell, and ABU/Zebco spinners —- is to make them something that the owner will appreciate using and will also be proud of enjoying for decades to come.
I think there is room for both types of approaches.
Just my style and opinion.
Best, Fred
I find it interesting where each person draws their line in the sand as to what is 'too far' on a restoration.
If one were restoring a car, most but maybe not all would agree that a paint job is appropriate. But a reel isnt a car. Ive never painted a reel. But I've definitely thought about it.
I am a purist as far as the reel collecting aspect of the hobby goes and repaints are the cardinal sin. I don't want any repainted reels, no matter how good the quality is. I could care less, though, if someone repaints a reel as long as they disclose that it has been repainted when they sell it. All I was getting at is that when I say, or mention, that I restoed a reel it means that it may have a couple of new parts, all the parts have been thoroughly cleaned &/or polished but it has not been repainted.
I have repainted DQ and Mitchells for myself,but would never do it to resell.The Zebco/Abu Cardinals would be hard to match.I do not plan on parting with any of my vintage reels though.
They can Keep their flashy new reels, I'll stay with vintage.Great restore Mr Fred
For me, it depends on one of two things, shelf or water.
On the shelf, I prefer original. If refinished, I just need to know that and decide for myself. The display shelf holds examples of reels in various forms. Some collectible reels that show wear have a story. Some are family.
None of my "wet" reels look good, but all of those are in good working order. Surf fishing is hard on equipment. I don't throw my rigs around, but I don't "baby" them either. I do my best to keep them running.
All those level wind Penns on the top shelf are for service rotation, parts, guests, as needed. Even the 109s are ready if I feel like playing with one. If it's not ready, it's not on that shelf. All of those are necessary for what I like to do and how often I do it.