As mentioned in an earlier thread, I recently picked up a dozen assorted Penn reels from an estate sale through an old childhood friend. John (ThorHammer) suggested that I start a new thread to document what I have now and where it goes. Some of the reels are pretty nasty, of course the Blackie is the worst. However they all function, clickers, drags somewhat, free spool etc. Only one missing part, a plate screw on one of the 4/0's. Amazingly, none of the trim rings are cracked; I hope it stays that way. My first plans are just to disassemble and clean, lube etc, and keep stock. I may pick out the best 4/0 to hot rod later. We shall see.
Blackie 114H on the left, three 6/0 Senators on the right. Two have wire line.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_6_47_35.jpeg)
On the left a 4/0 Senator, three on the right are 113H Senators
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_6_46_29.jpeg)
On the left, a Long Beach 68, 112H Senator, Peer 109, and Peer 309
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_6_48_27.jpeg)
Feel free to offer up any tips or suggestions.
Bill
Bill, that's some good work to sink your teeth into. When I do something like this (yesterday as it happens), here's what I do (basic stuff but for me it makes it flow and I don't lose track of what is what which is easy to do.
I use plastic 64 oz detergent containers with the snap lids, but any container will do:
First pail is simple greem 50/50 water, disassemble first reel and chuck in. after a day, i pour whole contents through a metal straining basket i got at wallyworld. I then rinse the whole basket fresh water either with a sprayer or you can immerse in rinse bucket but i prefer spray. you need to degrease prior to step two or the vinegar wont get to the corrosion
Second pail is white vinegar, I don't usually cut it and let it sit about 12-24 hours. i don't do this with aluminum...it doesn't end well. Your Penns will do fine.
Rinse as above and lay out on trays on paper towels or shop rag to keep parts from bouncing.
All this is basic stuff, here's where you have a choice to make with multiples of same models: you can do one at the time and put each back together as it was, with new drags or other parts as you wish, OR:
What I would do: group the similar reels (the three 113H's for instance) and clean all parts as above. Lay all out and work your way through reassembly, cherry-picking parts to build the best one you can, then second best, then the third as the ugly duckling. The ones you have very likely have steel mains and maybe other chrome inside, so bear in mind if you are going to hot rod later (like a full Cortex conversion) you may wish to keep the best guts in the ugly ducking as your future donor for the hotrod. Then, you end up with a custom reel and the two best stockers you could compile, and the most beastly plates, rings etc. can be drawered. Note: if you hotrod those with new plates you will need a sleeve spacer, I believe yours have externally accessible drags with a top hat washer. ( I have done your exact drill on several yard-saler 113h's at once, and am in process of doing same with eight Penn 9's).
If you have the space clean up all reels and take stock of all the parts you will need to place one order, as several of the reels may share drag washers, screws, etc. That way you don't pay shipping 3X to get the same $1.75 washer.
Main thing is, go slow or as fast as you are comfortable with and don't mix up parts from different reels. just because that pinion slides on the spool lug doesn't mean it will work when assembled. Ask me how i know. You might benefit from keeping mains and pinions paired also, just put a small cable tie through them.
my 0.02.
Good stuff, thanks Thor!
Sage advice from a master.......Good group of reels brother....Bill
Started today with the smallest Senator the 112H. Disassembled and cleaned, noted it needs a set of drag washers. The old ones were shot, glazed and cracked, metals were nasty too. The main gear is steel, I like that. After cleaning and vinegar soaking, I polished it up a bit and doesn't look bad. I am going with John's suggestion and break them all down before ordering parts. Scotts is really convenient because can create a wish list and just keep adding to it. Bagged up the small parts in zip lock bags and put everything in a Glad container until I start putting them back together.
Nasty brown grease inside
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_3_03_49.jpeg)
Cleaned up better than I thought
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_3_04_42.jpeg)
Bagged and ready to be put up for now.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_3_05_13.jpeg)
I have been through two of the 113H reels, both about in the same condition, both with external drag access. They each have steel mains, three thick asbestos drag washers, and almost no grease. I will be replacing with a HT 100 drag kit in both.
The first one:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_3_07_01.jpeg)
Almost no grease anywhere, none on the inside of the spool, clicker and very little on gears. Both spring washers on the drag stack were directly under the top hat with nothing between the star and top hat washer.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_3_07_28.jpeg)
This one is cleaned, bagged and put away for now.
The second one:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_23_02_18_7_42_06.jpeg)
Again, very little grease anywhere, but lots of sand in the the non handle side end plate
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_23_02_18_7_42_34.jpeg)
Steel main gear, thick asbestos drag washers stuck to metal washers. This time both spring washers were between the star and top hat with no spring washer under the top hat washer. I assume one spring washer should go between the star and top hat washer, and the other should go on top of the drag stack?
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_23_02_18_7_43_16.jpeg)
Bill
The third 113H had a couple of unique features the other two did not: an oiler for the eccentric lever instead of a screw and a leather friction pad for thumbing the spool.
Friction pad
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_23_02_18_2_45_28.jpeg)
Eccentric lever oiler
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_24_02_18_6_38_55.jpeg)
It was also the nastiest, inside was caked with a very sticky dried up black grease. The spool bearings were very stiff with grease residue but soaking in Corrosion X loosened then right up. Steel main gear and three thick asbestos washers as well.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_24_02_18_6_39_48.jpeg)
The last of the 4/0 reels was a standard black 113 Senator.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_24_02_18_12_34_40.jpeg)
Nothing special inside, other than little grease and the first friction washer in the drag stack was a Delrin washer. However the other two were thick asbestos.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_24_02_18_12_33_42.jpeg)
Bill
You've been mighty busy..!!
Handi, the yard work has been neglected, but ordered parts for those five today. Tomorrow start breaking down the 6/0's. The Blackie first since it was the nastiest.
A good way to keep busy Bill. vinegar is great, but you will need to get yourself some additional stuff we talk about here to cut the dried up grease.
Enjoy those,
Sal
Thanks for the tips Sal. Definitely been using the white vinegar. For the grease, I have been using mineral spirits and WD-40. They seem to do a good job as well. This morning I started on my favorite reel of the lot, a 114H Blackie. Of course it has the most corrosion, but we will see how it turns out. Steel main gear and thick drag washers like the others.
Too much green stuff!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_25_02_18_6_59_50.jpeg)
New drag stack on the way. I do have some available rings, stand and such if needed.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_25_02_18_7_00_48.jpeg)
Finished up breaking down and cleaning the 114 Senators; two black handled ones like this with bronze main gears:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_26_02_18_7_17_25.jpeg)
and a honey colored handle one with a steel main gear:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_26_02_18_7_14_33.jpeg)
As luck would have it, the heads on two stand screws snapped off on left side, but they weren't too difficult to get out.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_26_02_18_7_14_55.jpeg)
When the parts get here, I will start putting these back together.
Bill
Quote from: Bill B (Tarfu) on February 22, 2018, 09:47:51 PM
Sage advice from a master.......Good group of reels brother....Bill
I got a kick out this, as I spent two hours on one Penn 9 and the levelwind still isn't meshing properly. may be a piece of 109 in there somewhere I cant see well enough.
The first of the non Senator reels, a long Beach 68. The yellow knob on the handle would not budge. Some Corrosion X, a little heat, some gentle tapping, repeat several times and it started to move. Continue the process, and it spins freely now.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_26_02_18_11_53_01.jpeg)
The usual procedure before the TLC begins:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_26_02_18_11_53_27.jpeg)
Old reels bring out the patience in those of us who otherwise wouldn't have it. The steel gears are as smooth as silk. The first one of the collection to be completed. Eleven more to finish.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_27_02_18_5_40_40.jpeg)
Bill
Thor, you said to use simple green first, then vinegar ?? I never have, that's the reason for this question.. I have dissassembled, soaked in vinegar, but never more than 2.5 hours. Is the simple green just for de-greasing or something else? Also, after vinegar, i just rinsed with warm, then cold water.. should I be using baking soda to neutralize the acetic 'vinegar' acid ?
Yes. Point being, if there is a bunch of grease over corrosion, the vinegar being aqueous will not penetrate and do its job..due to the grease doing its job. I don't neutralize but rinse with plenty of fresh water, dry, and lube and wipe down everything for reassembly.
Thanks for clarification..
Half way done, only six more reels to go!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_02_03_18_1_17_32.jpeg)
Bill
Pretty work Bill!
Good progress on the collection of reels....Bill
Solid work, Bill!
Best,
Fred
I'm changing my name to Bill. they seem to be the ones falling into some sweet collections lately :)
Quote from: thorhammer on March 02, 2018, 09:24:47 PM
I'm changing my name to Bill. they seem to be the ones falling into some sweet collections lately :)
John we can admit you as an honorary member of the "Bill Club" but that means you will be hosting the next club meeting at your lake house 😜 Bill
QuoteJohn we can admit you as an honorary member of the "Bill Club" but that means you will be hosting the next club meeting at your lake house 😜 Bill
I will approve. Of course you have to start out as a "Billy" and move up through the ranks to "Bill."
Bill
Well, I think I am finished , at least for now. There are still a couple of things that I want to fix, but that can come later. Just a look back at what I started with and how it turned out.
First the 6/0's in all of their grimy glory.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_6_47_35.jpeg)
They cleaned up well, for the most part. I still need to find a decent spool for the black 114H. It had wire line on it along one of the other 114's and both had heavy chrome loss and corrosion on the sides of the spools. I put all new drags in all of them and replaced some of the rings, the stand and a new old stock handle (red) on the 114H.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_04_03_18_10_22_08.jpeg)
Next the 4/0's before:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_6_46_29.jpeg)
And after. Again all drags replaced, under gear washer and that was about it. Most of the these reels had the steel main gear and it is incredible how smooth they still are. The drags on these tested in the mid 20's at the reel.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_04_03_18_10_21_21.jpeg)
The others: LongBeach 68, 112H, Peer 109, and Peer 309 before:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_22_02_18_6_48_27.jpeg)
And after. Still kept with the plan and changed all the drags. The 109 was a tiny little thing and no clutch either. I wasn't used to that, but it was smooth as silk when done. Because it was so small, I mixed the blue Penn grease with Corrosion X to thin it out a bit and made grease soup.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_04_03_18_10_22_56.jpeg)
It was fun, but I am glad to take a break for now.
Lessons learned:
1. Quit when you have had enough and take a break.
2. Keep it organized with a method that makes sense to you. I kept all of the parts for each reel separate after cleaning, zip lock snack bags helped keep the small parts of similar groups together and then put all parts for each reel in a separate 64 oz. storage container.
3. Cherry pick the parts at assembly to build the best reel, the next best and an ugly duckling. An excellent tip from John by the way.
4. No matter how hard you try you will have a mistake or two, like putting the inner ring on the outside of a 112H and wondering why the screws won't go all the way in? Oops, they aren't counter sunk.
5.. Without the information available on this site, I wouldn't have had a clue where to even start.
Until next time,
Bill
Turned one of the 4/0 Special Senators into a Tiburon Narrow (YTS). Think I will keep this one.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_10_03_18_2_15_34.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_10_03_18_2_16_21.jpeg)
Narrower, lighter, stronger and hopefully, better than where she came from.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_10_03_18_2_16_48.jpeg)
That YTS needs a clamp!
Looks nice, 20#s of drag will be plenty, have fun!
Ron
Good score Bill, you have brought those reels back to life, they look great, use the untidy reels to fish with, & save the really nice reels for showing or selling, now to catch a few good fish, will give you real satisfaction, good luck, cheers Don.
Bill,
Great job , I have to say that whatever method you used for that many re-build was time well spent.....
Now pick one or two of your favorites and go fishing 🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟
Brett
Really really like the look of that YTS
Outstanding brother Bill ;). Good job on the YTS. Bill
I thought I was finished, but my friend in Savannah found some more reels and old tackle linked to the estate. Road trip coming up.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_09_04_18_6_53_29.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_09_04_18_6_54_04.jpeg)
Bill
oh boy....i see a couple SS's and a levelmatic (a fav) in addition to the usual criminals....
I finally made the trip to Savannah and made the hopefully last haul. Fourteeen reels, and several tubs of old, some new in the box old tackle including a leather fighting belt, 1200 yard spools of green and white dacron line, 1200 yd spool of mono, hooks, lures and too much to list. Back to the reels they included a Peen 650SS, a 750SS, a 114H, a 113H, a 112H, a Longbeach 68, a Busted up Delmar 285, a 940 Levelmatic, and three Peer 109's. Next a Zebco 888, a Spinmaster Pro Series lV ( have no clue what it is), a Shakespear Model FA 1942 date, and a Plueger Rocket #1355. Let the games begin.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_18_04_18_3_47_17.jpeg)
Great haul. Get after it!
John
Where I am at so far with round two:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_27_04_18_2_25_19.jpeg)
Sweet!
Guess I need to go to more Estate Sales😁
Brett
Very nice indeed...
...the 109 with smooth red knobs is very early version and the solid red colored knobs are the toughest to find
It took Long Enuff to do it! ;D
It's amazing what could be done one at a time, just like reading a book, one page at a time ;)
I see some nice ones...great job!
Sal
My two favorites out of this whole debacle. The YTS Tiburon on a Tiger Lite XHeavy jigging rod which I fished offshore on Tuesday. Bottom critters didn't stand a chance. The other one a 750SS I have yet to spool with line, but is on the same rod. I upgraded the drags on the 750 from a 3 stack to a thin 5 and has more than I can measure with a 30 lb. scale. I would never fish it that hard, I don't think the rest of the reel could take it. Not to mention the small grip on the handle. But they are both nice setups.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_02_05_18_3_46_07.jpeg)
Enuff!!!
Have you upgraded your Ratchet & Dogs on your 750SSreel????
Adam has a option here for you. http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=16639.0
I have it on my 750SS (Thanks SAL!) Pull as hard as you want!!!!!
Wayne
Wayne, I haven't done anything to upgrade the anti reverse dogs, I figured having two as an option is good enough. I am more concerned about the small size of the handle. Do you know of any upgrades for that?
Just Call Sal!!!!
He is your Penn Spinner Guy!
Wayne
Bill, love seeing that YTS again! My go-to for striper popping is a 550SS and i drilled out the torpedo and installed an EVA knob. You could do the same or an aftermarket aluminum ball handle (I have used a bunch of those too). sometimes you can find SS aftermarket handles (full assembly) on the bay with aluminum ball knobs. they are a nice upgrade.
John, I have seen a few of those upgrade handles on Ebay lately. BTW, you should have that reel tomorrow or Monday.
I had not seen much less read through this thread.
Wow, talk about TLC, patience and a little money yielding results.
Very nice work indeed.
Bill, received. thanks !
I was looking forward to completing round two and only had a couple more left, but it wasn't meant to be. While at my Mom's 90th birthday/Mother's Day celebration I was chatting with one of the neighbors. He was an older retired judge who used to fish frequently but no longer did. The topic got around to modern versus older generation reels and told him I enjoyed working on and bringing forgotten reels back to life. He said he had a box of Penn reels across the street that he would be happy for me to tinker with. Of course I was happy to oblige and even offered to pay him, but he would have none of that. In the box, a 209, two 9's and a 109. The best part is they will need very little work.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_14_05_18_8_21_15.jpeg)
Bill you just seem to be falling into large lots of reels, good to see them going to a Great Home for a clean up and restoration. Just hope you don't fall into a box of hooks ;D. Bill
Bill, it was fun and they are all finished and off to new homes, except for the three that I kept. Didn't fall into any hooks, but had to sort through quite a few. The last four, done and done:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_28_05_18_12_40_16.jpeg)
Bill
I thought I was finished, but the wind has been crazy and the YTS that was made from this lot was begging for some internal upgrades. ThorHammer has always been partial to this reel, and since he is slowing down to fish more, here is another look.
Where I started:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_08_08_18_3_54_21.jpeg)
Where I left off:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/23/13259_10_03_18_2_15_34.jpeg)
Internal Upgrades; stainless steel Pro Challenger 4 to 1 gears, SS yoke, SS 10 tooth gear sleeve, and SS double dog bridge:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_08_08_18_3_51_29.jpeg)
The old brass single dog gear sleeve and bridge, compared to the new one. The ten teeth instead of eight should cut out most of the back play.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/24/13259_08_08_18_3_52_03.jpeg)
All reassembled and ready to to fish, if the wind will quit!
That's a heck of an upgrade, you went all the way...good job!
Sal
Nice work! Where did you get the upgraded body?
West
West, the solid aluminum frame and spool came from Tiburon Engineering.
https://www.tiburonfishingreels.com/penn-reels-and-newell-reels
That's fantastic Bill!!! love it!
John