Greetings! I posted a formal 'hello' on the Welcome board, and as I threatened to then, here I am now with the need for some advice, and maybe a part or two...
I picked up a 300, 302, and 306 at a salvage yard for $5 each. I'm hoping to prep all of them for surf perch. I started with the 300, because, easiest. I hope.
Forgive me please if my pictures aren't clear enough. Feedback is welcomed!373F5695-D098-47E0-912E-042ECB72E394.jpeg
So I got it all apart with no issues. A couple of the screws were already a tiny bit boogered, but not bad, and not by me! One of the washers looks clipped: I can't tell from the schematics if it's made like that or if it needs replacing:79549A5D-C113-4668-9612-E32A518F5DB4.jpeg
I also have a bail problem, but I'll stop here and make sure my pics are loading correctly. Thanks in advance for your patience!
Although the outside was pretty grubby and the inside of the rotor was kinda gritty, it cleaned up pretty well. I used goo gone and WD40 cuz that's what I have already. There is a weird, clear residue on the faces of the two main gears (in the center of the first picture). It's almost like adhesive. I can sort of manually rub/scrape it off, but not all of it. What else should I use? Here's what it looked like before cleaning, in case the grease provides a clue: 567D20A0-13E3-4549-9CD6-99555C4E9624.jpeg
It was so clean inside, I have a theory that someone serviced it and then couldn't fix the bail, and gave it up...
Before I took it all apart, I took off the bail and re-positioned the bail spring (thanks all you gurus for those instructions). After I did that, I could trigger the bail with the lever, but no 'click' and the bail doesn't spring over. So here's the inside of the rotor cup before I took it all apart:C12DBC71-C882-42D0-9505-56270890AEBD.jpeg
And a close-up of the bail parts in case something wrong is obvious to everyone except me:C1230C34-0EDB-4924-B1A3-B95122B70B2E.jpeg
I had to order the Yamaha marine grease (in the 14oz cartridge) and the tan Cal's drag grease online, and those will both be here tomorrow. Meaning I could put it back together unless some parts look like they need replacing. I am most grateful for any advice you can spare. Thank you!!
The serial number looks like D284310. D is 1974, yes?
Nice clean up, Carla!
The 300 is not going to be a good reel for salt.
306 is better, 302 is made for salt.
My Aunt used to live up in Bremerton for a good many years (County Librarian). Seems most of the reels I bought from yard sales and second hand stores had a certain amount of salt
issues. If you use the 300 in the salt —- expect frequent tear downs and cleaning —- or a premature death.
I can send you any washers or other parts you may need.
Typically, the issue with the bail just needs a slight bending
Of the bail wire to free up any catching.
Just let me know.
Best, Fred
Thank you, Fred I have seen the same salt issues as I look for old reels.
Is that washer at the arrow supposed to be flat on one edge? Thanks for your kind offer of parts. The plastic gear on the spindle looks a bit chewed up. Is there a version of that part, fitting my reel, where thay gear is metal?
btw, I apologize to everyone for the duplicate pictures. Not yet sure what I did wrong...
Thank you!
Quote from: cbamer on February 18, 2023, 01:50:28 AMThank you, Fred I have seen the same salt issues as I look for old reels.
Is that washer at the arrow supposed to be flat on one edge? Thanks for your kind offer of parts. The plastic gear on the spindle looks a bit chewed up. Is there a version of that part, fitting my reel, where thay gear is metal?
btw, I apologize to everyone for the duplicate pictures. Not yet sure what I did wrong...
Thank you!
Carla,
You didn't do anything wrong posting your photos, it's a glitch in the attachment system that has yet to be fixed. Once you add the photo and upload it you need to delete the link in your post. Deleting that link will will only post one copy of the photo you uploaded.
Yeah, "D" means '74. Never seen that washer(rotor head to gear box) with a flat edge on about 7 300's(including a D) I've worked on. I'd check the fit and if nothing's tweaked in the gear box/oilite bushing area, replace with good one.
The bail spring looks good in the picture, so as Fred indicated your bail wire could be misaligned. Any deep rub marks on the bail arm?
The 302 is where things get "fun"...
Quote from: cbamer on February 18, 2023, 01:50:28 AMIs that washer at the arrow supposed to be flat on one edge?
No, it has been dammaged.
Tommy- thanks for the tip. When posting a photo I'm prompted first to upload, then to insert. To clarify, do I then go back into the text box and delete the link?
And thank you Gfish and Keta, I will replace that washer. Is it the kind of thing I can do locally, if I had the correct ID/OD/thickness? Where would I get those measurements? I'd hate to trouble Fred just for a single wadher! Maybe I'll start on the 302 and 306 I have, and combine orders.
If it gets fun on the 302, is the 306 more or less 'fun'?
It is not an issue, Carla —-
It is just a stamp and an envelope. No big deal.
N/C.
Let me know if you want one.
I do not think you will find the right thickness or material (copper) at a hardware store —- but I may be wrong.
Best, Fred
Quote from: cbamer on February 18, 2023, 09:37:26 PMTommy- thanks for the tip. When posting a photo I'm prompted first to upload, then to insert. To clarify, do I then go back into the text box and delete the link?
Just click the upload you do not need to click insert.
Quote from: cbamer on February 18, 2023, 09:40:45 PMAnd thank you Gfish and Keta, I will replace that washer. Is it the kind of thing I can do locally, if I had the correct ID/OD/thickness? Where would I get those measurements? I'd hate to trouble Fred just for a single wadher! Maybe I'll start on the 302 and 306 I have, and combine orders.
If it gets fun on the 302, is the 306 more or less 'fun'?
"Fun" means a challenge. The 302, for me was, but it was also fun to the point where I decided to do a tutorial of sorts—-long-winded and overly detailed which is a good indicator of of really getting into it for me. The drag washer arrangement is complicated, so lay 'em out in the order they come out. Once I understood how they worked together, I have since had fun experimenting with different arrangements.
The 306 was simpler for me, so less fun. The little rotor key and pin made it kinna interesting. Look for them and don't lose 'em!
Quote from: Bill B on February 18, 2023, 10:26:12 PMJust click the upload you do not need to click insert.
Thanks!
Quote from: Gfish on February 18, 2023, 10:31:13 PM"Fun" means a challenge. The 302, for me was, but it was also fun to the point where I decided to do a tutorial of sorts—-long-winded and overly detailed which is a good indicator of of really getting into it for me. The drag washer arrangement is complicated, so lay 'em out in the order they come out. Once I understood how they worked together, I have since had fun experimenting with different arrangements.
The 306 was simpler for me, so less fun. The little rotor key and pin made it kinna interesting. Look for them and don't lose 'em!
That's what I thought you meant- So the 306 will be a more simple tear down, but the 302 more difficult, interesting, and also will yield more insights. btw, I already read your 302 tute: so helpful, it lures me into thinking I can do it. Thank you
Quote from: cbamer on February 18, 2023, 09:37:26 PMTommy- thanks for the tip. When posting a photo I'm prompted first to upload, then to insert. To clarify, do I then go back into the text box and delete the link?
That's what I do.
Fred, I will take you up on your kind offer to send me a shim for that broken one on the Mitch300. I also need a set up for thedrag on my $5 306 that I cleaned last night...it was missing some parts!
The corrosion on the 306 is not very nice, and I'm wondering if it's the kind of thing I should ignore, since I'm going to fish with it. And fish with kids.
I've cleaned and burnished with 500 wet/dry sandpaper, and will go higher if needed. That drive gear has a triangular divet and the pinion bearing is scratched. Are these ok to use?
Sorry for posting the 306 under a 300 heading. Not very helpful...
Everything up you have done so far is very good, Carla —-
I would just fix up the 306 and fish it. It is fine, and looks intact.
Here is a new missing drag tension spring you need, a spare new drag disk, and an assortment of new Mitchell shim/washers.
PM me your full name & best mailing address and I'll drop it off at the Post Office on Tuesday, after the Holiday. N/C.
The drag system on the 306 only consists of the drag knob, keyed spring, and the black nylon disc.
The 306 is a good and simple reel for the salt.
Best, Fred
Carla, you're doing a great job, especially considering you are just getting started at this reel restoration/service pastime! Here's a little tip that might benefit you, especially on reels you will be using. Anytime you come across that white salt corrosion film that has worked its way under under the painted surfaces use a wire brush, preferably brass as it is gentler, and remove all the white residue, even the paint if you have to. Any white salt residue that is left under the paint surface will continue to degrade the aluminum or magnesium alloys underneath.
Thank you Tommy: I scrubbed the spool as you suggested, with oil and a brass brush. I was surprised how little paint it took off.
Fred, all the parts you sent me arrived safely, despite the pileup of snow in CA. Thank you so very much. I'll try my hand at shimming the 300 tomorrow. Today I was able to finish the 306, thanks to all the help on this thread and on the "tinkering with the 306" thread.
Went from looking like this, with corrosion and sand everywhere,
to this
Thanks to everyone's advice, I was able to get the bail spring installed by removing the wire and unloading the spring. However, I couldn't get the mount past the trip lever no matter how hard I pushed it around, so I uninstalled the trip lever. Well, that was a 2 hour adventure in trying to re-install it. Booiiinnnggg! Despite this, I am glad I did it b/c I found more green corrosion on the underside.
The bail now snaps so snappily that after three tests it split the black rubber bumper. Hoping I can find some tubing at the hardware store to make another.
A couple last questions: Is that handle painted, and I scrubbed too hard? Should I pack grease into the main gear that the handle screws into? There was nothing in there when I disassembled it.
Thank you again! The reel is amazingly smooth after all the abuse it suffered. I'm hoping to take it fishing later this week, once it stops sleeting every day... I also have three functioning old penn 710 greenies I acquired on fleabay for the grandkids to use (still shopping for one more!), about $15 each to my door, and a quick Super I ended up paying $0 after I complained to the seller about the cracked mounting foot, cracked drag knob, and gritty mechanism that she sold as "fully working smooth action." I'm sure I'll be looking for more advice in the next few days...thanks so much for helping out all us newbies!
:0)
Still learning on inserting pictures :-\
I spooled it with 300 yards of 12# TrileneXL and am finally going to fish this Mitchell 306 for surf perch this weekend. I found an old 8.5' garcia conolon rod in rough but useable shape at the goodwill for a couple bucks. I like the utilitarian vibe of the old reel and rod together. Later this summer I'll pretty them up a bit, just to remove more of the surface corrosion on the reel and put a coat of varnish on the threads, replace a couple guides, etc, but they will work just fine as is for where we're going. I hope. Thanks again to everyone who helped out with this reel. Couldn't have done it without you :al