I was fishing in some choppy surf with a Mitchell 302 and while it didn't get dipped there was a lot of spray. So when I got home, I pulled off the rotating head just to see if anything got under there. In order to spray off the bottom half of the reel, I carried it from my workbench to a sink a couple of rooms away. At the sink I realized that the rotor key was missing! For those who don't know, this is a little brass part about the size of a grain of rice that is crucial for the the bottom part of the reel to lock into the top half of the reel (spool and rotating head). Without it the reel is better used as a bookend.
I have pulled the head off of Mitchells many times and usually I take extra care with this part. My wife would say that whenever I go fishing I trade human intelligence for some sort of fish intelligence (I have lost my keys in the ocean, drowned my phone, etc, etc). And usually that little part is stuck in place fairly well due to grease, etc. Anyway, not this time. I searched the most likely place...the workbench, floor near workbench, the area above the ball bearings, and little notch where it fits in the rotor. I almost convinced myself that maybe I lost it on another occasion or that this 302 never had it and that the reel worked today because the hex nut holding the head on was tight enough. Long story short, I checked the workshop floor on hands and knees without luck. Checked worbench a 3rd time without luck. Finally, somehow walking sadly back across the workshop floor there it was! It was a rediculus bit of luck to find this on a rug that desparately needs vacuuming. So, the moral is give this part the attention it requires and don't fish so long that you have seaweed for brains.
And if there is a smaller and more important part in some other reel, well I'd like to know about it.
I hear ya, never owned a 302 but my little 308 has one of those also.
Good to hear you found the little bugger. I've learned the hard way to keep track of the little parts, I keep a small metal lid with a magnet inside to keep track of the notorious parts, keeps the ferrous parts well and at least a place to drop the nonferrous parts....Bill
Oh, yeah... a micro-crucial part for sure. Been there, done that! Aren't the old 302s and 306s wonderful? As long as you know about --and DON'T lose-- that fiendish rotor key. :D
~A~
magnetic parts trays work great. So do tea infusers.
Ive been using these tea infusers for a few years now. As I take reels apart all the small parts go inside. Even with big reels all the screws go inside to be cleaned.
You can fit everything except the bridge on most small reels. You dont lose the parts and it holds the parts for you if you use a parts washer and ultrasonic cleaners.
You can fit all the hardware and gears from a Mitchell 300 in one of these. The ones I use are 2.5" or 3" in size.
Today i was doing a box full of International reels. All the screws, quadrant spacers, harness lugs, and rod bolts fit inside one of these. The parts get shaken around in the parts washer, rinsed with hot water, and thrown in the UL cleaner. Nothing gets lost.
Keith
Here's an old jeweler's trick for finding tiny diamonds that flew, great for reel parts too...
Put a new bag in your vacuum cleaner and vacuum all around the area. Then, inspect the contents of the bag. With luck it will be in there. Repeat: NEW BAG! ;D
Ok, THAT is worth a sticky!
I put my head or one eyball as close to the floor as possible and look straight across it. Found many a small part that way.
Quote from: 1badf350 on June 04, 2018, 10:27:42 PM
I put my head or one eyball as close to the floor as possible and look straight across it. Found many a small part that way.
Yep, I do/did something similar. This time I found it as I was standing and looking down, go figure.
Love the tea infuser idea for washing small parts. I separate small parts from the big parts and I don't usually wash dog springs or rotar keys. They sit in a jelly jar lid.
Had a part fly out of a reel once and after searching the workbench and crawling all over the floor, sweeping, dragging a magnet, etc I sat back and looked up and there it was, stuck to the wall.
Hee Hee, ;D now I don't feel like I'm the only one! I haven't had any of my old Mitchell's apart yet, but yes I've launched Penn dog springs into orbit, as well as the circlip-type bearing retainer clips on my Penn spinners that you use a fish hook to remove, and even the bail springs from my DAM spinners. AND - Knock on Wood (sound of Brewcrafter rapping knuckles on his own head) I've always had the luck of either finding the parts on my wood workbench or the concrete floor, but frankly I will be the first to say most times I was just plane lucky. Now if I'm removing a part I know can "launch", I make it a habit to drape a small washcloth/shop rag over the assembly to trap any ballistic objects. I REALLY like the "tea strainer" idea, but I am still in enough trouble with SWMBO for the unfortunate "eyeliner brush incident"...
Quote from: Brewcrafter on June 05, 2018, 05:30:58 AM
I REALLY like the "tea strainer" idea, but I am still in enough trouble with SWMBO for the unfortunate "eyeliner brush incident"...
I think you may need to tell us about that.
Quote from: nelz on June 04, 2018, 05:38:25 PM
Here's an old jeweler's trick for finding tiny diamonds that flew, great for reel parts too...
Put a new bag in your vacuum cleaner and vacuum all around the area. Then, inspect the contents of the bag. With luck it will be in there. Repeat: NEW BAG! ;D
I did this to find the diamond out of my wife's wedding ring...Had to vacuum the whole house (She didn't know when or where she lost it)...But I found it! What I want to know is where did all those little pieces of glass come from that I picked up with the diamond? We've lived here over 40 years, had the carpets replaced, and haven't broken any glass (Except on the tile floor, in the kitchen) ??? ...I also use the magnetic trey trick, and dragging a magnet to corral or round up ferrous parts...
Butch
When searching the floor for dog springs and other subatomic size reel parts, I have found that a good high intensity flashlight will almost always save the day.
Today I lost a spring from a custom made dog. Tried strong torch, lying on the floor, moved cars out, and swept my whole garage and work area and moved all kinds of stuff around.
I work in my Garage and there are many items around and nooks and crannies and the spring was not found.
Had to make a new one but benefit is I now have a nice clean garage and work space.
I confess I work on reels sitting on my lazyboy while watching tv. There's that space between the chair arm and cushion that has a strange magnetic vortex that sucks in small parts. The deeper you dig the farther down it goes until it's down in the spring contraption. Every once and awhile I'd stick a magnet down there and restock the parts department. It had been awhile and my wife surprised me with a new lazyboy. So much for my spare dog spring department
Quote from: Swami805 on June 16, 2018, 08:04:58 PM
I confess I work on reels sitting on my lazyboy while watching tv. There's that space between the chair arm and cushion that has a strange magnetic vortex that sucks in small parts. The deeper you dig the farther down it goes until it's down in the spring contraption........
hahaha seems like if you were talking about me, I also work on reels and rods on a lazyboy while watching TV, from time to time you will see me crawling on the floor and hear my wife say.. there you go, you just lost another flying spring ;D ;D
I swear for the life of me that I will find that place where all those flying springs live together with my long list of lost socks
lost a spring this weekend. was on the carpet with the light, and eventually found it. if not, was going to use a trick I think I saw on this site...wrap the end of a vacuum hose with pantyhose/etc, with tape, rubber band, etc and then vacuum around. glad I didn't need it, but i'm sure I will eventually.
I too use little lids and saucers for small parts. need to add a magnet to one, thats a good idea.
Quote from: 1badf350 on June 04, 2018, 10:27:42 PM
I put my head or one eyball as close to the floor as possible and look straight across it. Found many a small part that way.
If there is a cat in the room when the piece drops I always look to see where the cat is looking. It works more often than not!
Been on few hunts for flying parts. Still have not found the nylon bushing for the anti reverse on a Penn 716. The tile kitchen floor was searched but no luck. A trip to the plant was made and six replacements joined the parts box. No loss as a Penn trip always made a good day. Miss being able to go directly to Penn to pick up parts.
Tried all the for named tricks at one time or another.
All those missing bits wind up in the same orbit as those missing socks from the dryer !
Maybe Penn will reconsider allowing walk in's.
Quote from: Long Enuff on June 16, 2018, 03:25:34 PM
When searching the floor for dog springs and other subatomic size reel parts, I have found that a good high intensity flashlight will almost always save the day.
Works for me when I turn off all the lights and hold the light on a right angle to the floor. The part will cast a small shadow making it easier to spot.
Quote from: handi2 on June 04, 2018, 03:21:28 PM
magnetic parts trays work great. So do tea infusers.
Ive been using these tea infusers for a few years now. As I take reels apart all the small parts go inside. Even with big reels all the screws go inside to be cleaned.
You can fit everything except the bridge on most small reels. You dont lose the parts and it holds the parts for you if you use a parts washer and ultrasonic cleaners.
You can fit all the hardware and gears from a Mitchell 300 in one of these. The ones I use are 2.5" or 3" in size.
Today i was doing a box full of International reels. All the screws, quadrant spacers, harness lugs, and rod bolts fit inside one of these. The parts get shaken around in the parts washer, rinsed with hot water, and thrown in the UL cleaner. Nothing gets lost.
Keith
Very cool, Keith!
Quote from: handi2 on June 04, 2018, 03:21:28 PM
magnetic parts trays work great. So do tea infusers.
Keith
Keith, good idea, I have the same on a chain for spices for cooking. I think they are couple of bucks at walmart.
Harbor Freight has had coupons for a free 4 inch magnetic parts tray. Right now they have a coupon for the 6 inch for $2.99.
Quote from: grekim on June 03, 2018, 11:44:56 PM
My wife would say that whenever I go fishing I trade human intelligence for some sort of fish intelligence (I have lost my keys in the ocean, drowned my phone, etc, etc).
..
And if there is a smaller and more important part in some other reel, well I'd like to know about it.
upon immersion my old flip phone, would call my wife's number.. so she would get this odd call from my number with just static..
"oh the old fishing fool has fallen in again" Not quite as bright as the average fish..
I have an Argus LT fly reel, which is a copy of a Pfleuger Supreme or maybe a Abel. It's a fine little reel, but has a tiny spool latch release spring made of thin wire. I lost it twice and found it once.. now it has a bit of safety pin wire bent into the right shape, works so far.
Quote from: grekim on June 03, 2018, 11:44:56 PM
Long story short, I checked the workshop floor on hands and knees without luck. Checked workbench a 3rd time without luck. Finally, somehow walking sadly back across the workshop floor there it was!
For folks who haven't wrestled with this particular part yet...your journey is not yet complete. It's like trying to hogtie a flea. I'm pretty sure a higher power placed it right out in the middle of the floor for you to discover. 8)
magnets & screens don't help during actual removal/installation
I thread red yarn through PITA little springs, before they do any flexing
they still try to escape, but not very far & slow enough to follow the red trail w/your eyes
I do a bit of recreational locksmithing (story for another day) and the parts inside some locks make reel parts seem enormous by comparison. And naturally most of them are spring loaded. The first time you pull the core from a new lock is always a bit of a lottery... when I'm having a clever day, I do it inside a snap-lock bag; when I'm having a stupid day I do it on a nice high workbench with carpet underneath to ensure maximum bounce range. Try losing a grey spring about half the size of a grain of rice on a grey, textured carpet. Horrible.
try a purely mechanical watch... with a loupe and a prayer
Dog springs are a tough find however losing one of these penn slammer 4600L/460L- 560L/5600L live liner engagement springs fly across the room like a micro ninja star if you don't get them to catch on the trip lever lol
Quote from: boon on March 03, 2020, 03:51:26 AM
I do a bit of recreational locksmithing
Few months late here but... Isn't that called burglary?
Quote from: JasonGotaPenn on August 11, 2021, 01:25:17 AM
Quote from: boon on March 03, 2020, 03:51:26 AM
I do a bit of recreational locksmithing
Few months late here but... Isn't that called burglary?
To-may-to, to-mah-to...
(I have a kinda weird job)
Have tried magnets, covered vacuum hoses, and new vacuums. Oddly enough, the most effective method seems to be my wife walking around barefoot in the area in question.
I would posit, however, that a close second to a missing dog spring is a missing, tiny pawl-cap screw for an ancient baitcasting reel. Since they always take six-ten tries for me to install, fumble opportunities abound.
A small handheld rechargeable vacuum works great for finding lost pieces like dog spring or pin.
i usually cuss alot. it doesn't help me find the spring, but i makes me feel a whole lot better on the rare occasions when i do. ;D
I find that the springs are the same size as the Penn Senator 114 springs. cheers Don
114 springs are flat copper strips.
I recently serviced a Calcutta 300TE, and that drag click pin (and spring) might be the smallest parts I have ever seen in a reel. I didn't know to look for them ahead of time, and thankfully they fell out inside of the reel. Had they dropped on the floor I probably would have never found them.
First Trinidad I did that thing went flying too, luckily I found it. Getting that spring and pin back in is fun too
The best way to find a lost dog spring is to order a new one.
As soon as the credit card goes in, the old dog spring will show back up. ^-^
So I just spent 2 hours looking for my eyeglasses, no they weren't on my head, but they fell between the cushions on my chair...
Quote from: Bill B on September 09, 2022, 02:36:42 AMSo I just spent 2 hours looking for my eyeglasses, no they weren't on my head, but they fell between the cushions on my chair...
YEP you are RETIRED ......... ;D