Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn 99/Jigmaster/SurfMaster/Squidder Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: thorhammer on January 23, 2016, 04:10:16 PM

Title: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: thorhammer on January 23, 2016, 04:10:16 PM
See head plate; there is a pin in my head plate and also in the damaged head plate I transferred guts from. The tutorial has a molded recess for the dog spring (same dog/spring in my reel). How does the spring seat in this style head plate?


thanks,

John
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: thorhammer on January 23, 2016, 04:35:20 PM
see the pin. These are black plates so presumably more recent than Alan's marroon in the tutorial. NOT change for the better. I tried to seat on thje pin. terrible.
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: alantani on January 23, 2016, 04:46:14 PM
i wonder if a jigmaster style spring would work. 
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: Alto Mare on January 23, 2016, 04:54:16 PM
Quote from: alantani on January 23, 2016, 04:46:14 PM
i wonder if a jigmaster style spring would work. 
I'm sure it would, but he would need to install a short post on the dog, so the spring would stay in place.
I've repaired these before, but can't find a pic. a post is actually better than the original.

Sal
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: PacRat on January 23, 2016, 06:22:45 PM
This one likely requires a leaf spring. I think I have one like it but it will be a while before I can dig it out and shoot some pics.
Also look here: http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=30.30
There's a post from rednecktailg8ter where he has photos of one that may have been modified to use a coil spring instead of a leaf but there aren't a lot of details.
-Mike
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: RTT on January 23, 2016, 06:52:29 PM
John

I pulled my black head plate Squidder and found it to be as described in the tutorial.  Sorry I can't be of more help.

Ray
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: PacRat on January 23, 2016, 07:20:27 PM
(http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah30/mwhelm/fishing%20reel/Squidder/20160123_104254_zpsmijlga1g.jpg) (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/mwhelm/media/fishing%20reel/Squidder/20160123_104254_zpsmijlga1g.jpg.html)

(http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah30/mwhelm/fishing%20reel/Squidder/20160123_104832_zpsnbjhrion.jpg) (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/mwhelm/media/fishing%20reel/Squidder/20160123_104832_zpsnbjhrion.jpg.html)

(http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah30/mwhelm/fishing%20reel/Squidder/20160123_105106_zpsoxghom0b.jpg) (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/mwhelm/media/fishing%20reel/Squidder/20160123_105106_zpsoxghom0b.jpg.html)

Here's some pics. I've never had a lot of faith in this AR spring. Thanks for giving me a reminder to have a second look. It's hard to see in the photos but if you look carefully the post looks damaged. I'm guessing corrosion. The spring is also weak but I'm hesitant to improve the spring without first improving the post. I'm hoping someone else jumps in with some good advice.
-Mike
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: PacRat on January 26, 2016, 02:15:49 AM
After opening my Squidder for the photos I decided to go ahead and replace the leaf spring. I discovered a new spring material. I scavenged it from an old vertical blind. It's stainless and it has a good spring-rate and memory. I cut it with light sheet metal shears but scissors would probably cut it also. I like this a lot better than what was in there when I took the photos. Time will tell.
-Mike

(http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah30/mwhelm/fishing%20reel/Squidder/20160124_133501_zpsatnbsnfe.jpg) (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/mwhelm/media/fishing%20reel/Squidder/20160124_133501_zpsatnbsnfe.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: oc1 on January 26, 2016, 12:32:05 PM
The old leaf springs were copper colored.  I always assumed it was just a strip of work hardened copper shim.  Folks used to hammer out a piece of copper wire to make one in a pinch. If it's too stiff then anneal it with a soft flame.

The style with the roach-turd-size coil spring and little nipple on the dog is more fool-proof in operation, but the spring is easy to loose.  Keep a glob of grease on it so it does not get away.

-steve
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: Shark Hunter on January 26, 2016, 01:12:40 PM
Penn dog springs are made of brass.
I finally found some stainless strips from windshield wiper inserts that work really well for my Senators.
Really springy once sanded down to about .040, I am liking the results.
The brass springs corrode and will break on a reel that has not had regular maintenance.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm11/ddyer2/IMG_3227_zps8sm7mzep.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/ddyer2/media/IMG_3227_zps8sm7mzep.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: Bryan Young on January 26, 2016, 04:45:46 PM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on January 26, 2016, 01:12:40 PM
I finally found some stainless strips from windshield wiper inserts that work really well for my Senators.
Really springy once sanded down to about .040, I am liking the results.

I knew I should have kept the wiper blades that I just through out for a reason.
Great idea to re-purpose old stuff.
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: PacRat on January 26, 2016, 04:52:22 PM
Daron, I thought I remembered reading something about using the wiper blade strips. I actually cut one but I only narrowed it in width but left it in its original thickness (no belt sander) which left it too stiff. That's when I saw the vertical blind parts sitting there so I gave it a try and I really like it. It's very flexy and it has a nice snap to it. The dog is much more audible but with less effort...if that makes sense. I'll leave it in a while then check it to see if any fatigue or memory sets in. I have a few extra pieces so if anyone is interested in trying some PM me and I'll send it.
-Mike
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: Shark Hunter on January 26, 2016, 10:18:33 PM
That is using your noggin' Mike. ;D
I didn't have a belt sander either, but bought one just for sanding down these strips of stainless.
I have tried it in the past, but found it very time consuming with no belt sander having to shave the width and the thickness.
My old pickup uses 16" wiper blades. I buy the cheap wal mart brand. Supertech.
The strips in these wipers are the perfect width.
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: thorhammer on January 27, 2016, 02:25:39 AM
Folks, this is some great stuff and I appreciate it. where else but AT will folks go tear open their stuff to help a dude out. Loolng at the whole bit, I may have a couple of options:

-try to seat the roach turd spring as it came....no luck thus far
-fab a leaf spring to bend around the existing pin
-mic out a marroon plate (have several) for the recess dimensions as in tutorial. Build up a JB land around existing pin, dremel out recess for existing spring mounted in dog. I have the damaged plate to practice on.
-move the whole business to marroon plates
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: Shark Hunter on January 27, 2016, 03:02:11 AM
John,
I modified a long beach plate a while back to take a leaf spring. I think if you make a small cut to slide the spring in towards the jack spring. It will work.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/66-4_zps996d0f28.jpg)
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: Catching Nemo on December 11, 2018, 08:15:20 PM
Hi guys,

Bringing this thread back up.  See thorhammer's second post above with the picture.

I just acquired a Squidder with the same pin for the dog spring.  See my pic below.

Is this how the dog and spring are supposed to seat against the pin?  Seems like the spring would be inclined to slide off that itty-bitty pin....
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: sdlehr on December 11, 2018, 08:28:06 PM
Quote from: Catching Nemo on December 11, 2018, 08:15:20 PM
Seems like the spring would be inclined to slide off that itty-bitty pin....
Is the pin long enough to make contact with the bridge plate and thus prevent the spring from slipping off the end?
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: Gfish on December 11, 2018, 09:25:38 PM
I like having an on/off AR feature on my Squidder. The outside lever is good, but the cam with the dog actuating pin,  the spring, that stupid spring-pin are not what I'd expect from Penn engineering.
Come-on somea you fertile minded engineering guys, this system can be improved! I got nothing...
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: Catching Nemo on December 11, 2018, 09:31:03 PM
Quote from: sdlehr on December 11, 2018, 08:28:06 PM
Quote from: Catching Nemo on December 11, 2018, 08:15:20 PM
Seems like the spring would be inclined to slide off that itty-bitty pin....
Is the pin long enough to make contact with the bridge plate and thus prevent the spring from slipping off the end?

Thanks Sid.  I was actually thinking that the side to side movement of the dog would slip the spring off the pin, either to the left or to the right of the pin in my pic. The spring itself is not physically attached to the pin. The spring is just pressed against the pin.


I guess another way of looking at it is that this reel has survived decades of use. And so as wacky as it looks with the spring just pressing against the pin, the setup must work ok?
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: sdlehr on December 12, 2018, 01:03:28 AM
Dude, you're going to have all of us opening up all of our squidders any time now. My workbench is too much of a mess right now. Maybe later in the week.
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: thorhammer on December 12, 2018, 01:13:39 AM
I forgot about this but found a fix....Cortez Conversions had the perfect part....
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: bhale1 on December 12, 2018, 03:14:03 AM
Yep,
I agree with John...Tom has the perfect fix ;D
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/17022_15_04_18_2_14_26.jpeg)

Brett

But, in all seriousness, the bridge plate held it down in stock configuration.
Title: Re: Installing Squidder AR dog/spring- my head plate does not match tutorial???
Post by: oc1 on December 12, 2018, 05:12:33 AM
Once everything is in place it will not go anywhere.  Promise.  The hard part is getting everything in place without it jumping away.  You need to be proficient with Alan's method of holding the AR and pinion as the bridge is rotated into place.
-steve