Sal got me hooked a few years back(imagine that) and it is he who has always been my main inspiration for custom parts and builds. All future builds will continue to be driven by the inspiration he embedded in me. Sal did build a couple of these. A part of him is alive and well in my reel obsession and love for fishing
Please feel free post your Sal inspired builds here. We'd love to see them !
Ted
Wow, Ted!
Sal has clearly inspired you to fill your china hutch with "reel candy."
Great selection and as you said, Thanks, much in part, to our pal, Sal.
Thanks
Dom
Wow Ted, Stunning reels right there......
My build advice from Sal, was simple restoring info on my vintage reels....
That's a whole new level there..........
Thanks for sharing
Col
The first thing I did using the knowledge on this site, was to finally take that big flat brass thing out of my mid-80's Senator 6/0, that I'd been afraid to remove before, when servicing it(the bridge plate), using Allen's tuorial. This emboldened me to use Sal's double dog tutorial for the same reel and I got 'er done on the first try! I remember being so proud, my wife picked-up on my mood and acted like she was really happy for me. "A Double what"?
Also, Sal was one of the first one's on the site to offer me a part I needed, even though I didn't ask for it. He had that way of reaching out that made you feel welcome.
Sal built a "heavy duty" 49 that really tripped my trigger....349 bridge, larger gear sleeve, double dogs,the works......inspired me to create my own ! Thanks, Sal !!
This 500 sits on the coffee table in the family room. The handle is a gift made by Sal. I think about Sal every time I see it. Folks that know nothing about reels are drawn to it.
It has the powder coated red rings inspired by Sal's Tank, some stainless goodies, and the under-gear Delrin thrust washer (which I think was one of Sal's best ideas).
(https://alantani.com/gallery/25/11927_13_10_18_9_39_54.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/25/11927_13_10_18_9_17_55.jpeg)
-J
Sal inspired most of the Penn modifications I've done over the years but one that stands out is the "Almost stainless 99 jigmaster". Sal's ongoing quest for a fully stainless Penn reel was behind a lot of the stainless Penn parts that were developed by members here - including Chris (Rothmar2) who was inspired to make a few stainless frames and rings among other things. I was lucky enough to receive a couple of sets of SS jigmaster rings as well as quick release side plate locking screws and clickers from Chris that helped me put together this almost stainless 99. From memory, the only metal parts that are not stainless are the chromed eccentric cam, handle screw and spool bushings.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/34/7995_02_01_21_2_42_27_3419013.jpeg)
and together with a similar 501
(https://alantani.com/gallery/34/7995_02_01_21_2_44_34_34193703.jpeg)
Mike
Mike,
I remember Sal's passion for the all stainless Jiggy. We all love following your creations and builds as we do Chris'. Sal was tuned in on those big time, as he would communicate with me on how creative and talented the Ohana was during those specific builds. He truly loved when someone was able to teach him or show him what was possible with a reel. As a true Italian, he liked a little glitz (his jeweling of internal parts back in the day), but was much more about the functionality of a reel and pushing it to its' greatest potential. He sent me a pic a long while ago that was a 1/5 full of broken parts that he had tested.
Love the new memoriam pic as that's how I picture Sal in his glory.
He was one cool cat.
Best,
Dom
For me, it was Sal's double dogging modification that inspired the first reel I did a major project on, The Narrowed 6/0.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/21/10783_28_08_17_2_52_13_212791378.jpeg)
From there, it spilled over to the Jigmasters. There were a few other projects that I did, that I never would have even contemplated without Sal's lead.
While reel projects have taken a back-seat for various reasons, every time I do pick-up a file, or place something into a lathe to make a custom piece, I do think of Sal.
I this handle will be always on the T4ni 113hnn reel, the handle was a gift from Sal.
Sal sure was great at handle making, and so many other things.
She's a beauty, Alex. Treasure her ;)
Stay well
Dom
It's a beauty !
Quote from: broadway on February 04, 2021, 05:40:53 PM
Sal sure was great at handle making, amounts so many things.
She's a beauty, Alex. Treasure her ;)
Stay well
Dom
thanks Dom
you can bet I will treasure her, I bought one knob to Sal and when he asked me my address he also asked me what other reels I normally use when going fishing, on my package it came my choice of handle knob and this unique handle knob assembly with the note that it was for my T4n1 113hxn reel, so it belongs there.
stay safe you too compadre
Quote from: steelfish on February 05, 2021, 08:55:41 PM
Quote from: broadway on February 04, 2021, 05:40:53 PM
Sal sure was great at handle making, amounts so many things.
She's a beauty, Alex. Treasure her ;)
Stay well
Dom
thanks Dom
you can bet I will treasure her, I bought one knob to Sal and when he asked me my address he also asked me what other reels I normally use when going fishing, on my package it came my choice of handle knob and this unique handle knob assembly with the note that it was for my T4n1 113hxn reel, so it belongs there and I have used the reel with that handle few times already.
stay safe you too compadre
It was Sal's love of the Surfmaster that led me to build this Surfy 250 narrowed to the 501 Jigmaster size. It sports a Tib frame, 501 aluminum spool, steel gears, Bryan's 5-stack kit, double AR dogs, a LB 66 drag star, and a bitchin' #24-12LT handle. This reel is a joy for catfishing...I call it the Flathead Special. 8)
Alex, That looks like a nice day on the water with the proper gear and some good company. Sal never just sent anyone what they expected... he always exceeded expectations.
Mo, She is a beauty with some real backbone, and yes, Sal was a big fan of the surfmaster series.
Thanks Sal,
Dom
Inspired by Sal..... Heres a quote.
That looks like a nice day on the water with the proper gear and some good company. Sal never just sent anyone what they expected... he always exceeded expectations.
Butt who would have ever expected Male Bait Boys, and Topless New Yorkers on my boat ever?????
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/p660/gst6814/.highres/GH013396_Moment_zpsvvkgxavx.jpg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gst6814/p/d439415b-e058-46be-9c89-2d58b969c7be)
Shown front row and center is the Tank. One of Sals creations that will be remembered as making a good reel Great,
Even tho Sal is not here with us today his reel will keep on fishing......... Tanks Sal.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/p660/gst6814/.highres/DSC_0881_zps0bni84zh.jpg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gst6814/p/04431fd7-d577-41e8-9d2a-ba2dd5dfffd9)
Is that picture even legal? Dominooch, where's that pink speedo?
The "tank" is a legend round here... again, thanks Sal and Dominick.
Keep 'em coming, crew
Best,
Dom
If Sal was here we could hold court, Mabee like in the late news, its the use of the word, or out of context, oar ??
Dominooch might be a slang word?? Butt what would it mean?? Butt then as its been said , if you saw it in the news, its gotta be true!!! Sal wanted us to go and test our stuff. He also thought if you break it, now you know. I miss that old school philosophy that seems to be lost in an age of what we are becoming.....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/p660/gst6814/.highres/DSC_0878_zps3erfqucb.jpg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/gst6814/p/6e6cc080-bf3a-4624-83a8-d1cbfc58206a)
Hey Gary that was a classic calling Wayno a Male Bait Boy. He proved to be a master baiter. ;D Dominick
well played counselor, well played indeed :)
Quote from: Dominick on February 10, 2021, 02:20:23 AM
Hey Gary that was a classic calling Wayno a Male Bait Boy. He proved to be a master baiter. ;D Dominick
ALAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne, i tried to find a moderator to moderate. Only one I could find was Dominic ;D ;D ;D ;D
You know, it is like the old saying...
"You can PICK your nose,
BUTT you CAN'T PICK your Friends"!!!!!
Wayne
yes Wayne & you cant pick your relation, like water of a ducks back to Wayne, cheers Don.
Quote from: thorhammer on February 10, 2021, 01:40:16 PM
Wayne, i tried to find a moderator to moderate. Only one I could find was Dominic ;D ;D ;D ;D
:D ;D :D ;D Dominick
Quote from: El Pescador on February 10, 2021, 01:31:31 PM
Quote from: Dominick on February 10, 2021, 02:20:23 AM
Hey Gary that was a classic calling Wayno a Male Bait Boy. He proved to be a master baiter. ;D Dominick
ALAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:'( :'( :'( Dominick
You go through life and meet many people. Most people are good people, they come and go into your life leaving their mark. Some are memorable and others are not so memorable, The mark that Sal left for me is burned into my heart forever. Sal gave me a simple gift that could have only come from him and he referred to me in an Italian way that I never expected. He made me a handle for a Penn 349, the handle he made me was made from Olive Wood, which has a special meaning in itself. He included a letter with the gift and at the end of the letter he called me Micheluccio. In Italian, that way of saying my name is a very special term of endearment that is saved for only people you are very close to. I did not feel like I deserved the way he felt about me, but that was Sal. He had a way of making you know you were special to him. Sal's memory is with me forever and his gift is on the wall next to my computer, I sit next to his olive wood handle every day. I put the handle on a special cradle reel combo that I will never sell. Sal's mark is deep.
The whole set up looks fabulous and the handle is the final touch,,,,,,, :o
Mike, this is a kick right to the "feels". Sal means many things to many of us.....and I am sure Cathy knows best of all. Cathy you and Sal are always in the back of my mind.....most do not know, but my grand parents immigrated from Florence, Italy in the 30's, my father was born in Canada as they waited to come to America. This makes me the first US born on his side of the family. I feel a real kinship with my Italian brothers...Bill