Yesterday morning I noticed this box sitting on my front stoop, I wasn't expecting anything, so I wasn't sure what this was all about.
I opened the box and there was this gorgeous reel with a note attached that read Merry Christmas Sal.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0165.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0165.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0166.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0166.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0167.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0167.jpg.html)
I have seen this reels on line, but never held one ,so obviously I had to crack it open.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0168.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0168.jpg.html)
The reel was already nicely serviced, i wasn't surprised, considering where it came from. One of the dog was out of place though, probably jumped off during assembly.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0169.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0169.jpg.html)
This little beauty comes with 6:1 gear ratio, a little fast for the type of fishing I do, then I remembered that I asked Alan for a set of the 4.8:1 Fathom gears.
Alan asked why would I purchase those when I don't even own a Fathom, I said experimenting ;D.
Here are those nice custom gears on the right
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0171.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0171.jpg.html)
Sorry buddy, but that carbon fiber washer for under the gear had to go as well, smoothness is now very noticeable, compared to the way it was with the carbon fiber washer.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0173.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0173.jpg.html)
Easiest way to set the dogs back in is to race the ratchet, attach the dogs to it and lower it on the two dog pins
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0174.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0174.jpg.html)
I was also impressed with the thickness of the metal washers, not like the Baja, those are very thin
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0175.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0175.jpg.html)
New custom Black Pearl's gears set in place. Those work nicely, just what the doctor ordered for this reel
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0176.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0176.jpg.html)
and the reel is back together and working to perfection.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/DSC_0180.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/DSC_0180.jpg.html)
Penn did a nice job on this one, I really like it.
Mr Keith Rawson, known as handy2 is the man that sent it to me.
Thanks again Keith, I really like this reel.
Merry Christmas!
Sal
Very nice. Welcome to the 21st century!
Nice...you're going to reely like it.
BT
You're welcome Sal.
Remember when I was looking for a 501 Jigmaster and you sent me one? It's just payback time.
Those dogs will slip out If the gear is turned while the side cover is off. I'm glad you caught it. The grease used was CorrosionX.
Keith
great members friendship, were blessed. harryk
Beautiful.
I decided to hook a scale to this little reel, I was able to pull to 30lbs with the star cranked almost all the way, while still using one hand to do so.
The line peeled off smoothly all the way, I'm impressed.
I have a feeling this baby is going to feel nice on the water.
Sal
I,ve been using one for about 2 years and absolutely love it. I run 80lb berkeley fireline braid with a 50lb fluro topshot and it will stop most things in their tracks up to a smallish tuna.Its the only new Penn reel I own and I cant fault it.You will love it Sal.
Hmm...how could I spring load those silent AR pawls?
Nice! I love my 4.9:1 FA25N.
Quote from: Bryan Young on December 23, 2015, 03:18:09 PM
Hmm...how could I spring load those silent AR pawls?
I don't believe those will be needed Bri-Bri, Penn did a great job there as well, the fins are well made and they engage beautifully...those are back up.
This reel is well put together.
Sal
Quote from: Alto Mare on December 23, 2015, 07:17:49 PM
Quote from: Bryan Young on December 23, 2015, 03:18:09 PM
Hmm...how could I spring load those silent AR pawls?
I don't believe those will be needed Bri-Bri, Penn did a great job there as well, the fins are well made and they engage beautifully...those are back up.
This reel is well put together.
Sal
The clutch bearing in these reels have the long skinny rollers. They are much stronger than others.
Did Keith also include a cozy for your beer can? Nice reel Sal. Dominick
wow nice gift.
I have the 40 size model and love it, on of my favorites, strong ligth and plenty of line capacity.
still considering on getting the 4.8 gears or keep the 6:1 ratio
Quote from: Dominick on December 23, 2015, 11:28:11 PM
Did Keith also include a cozy for your beer can? Nice reel Sal. Dominick
Man I forgot..! I have at least 36 left...
Keith, you sent me one last year, way before Dominick got his ;D I have it on my desk.
Still playing with this nice reel, thanks again Keith.
One of the plate screw was stripped, I added some strips of copper but still not holding.
Since these reels only have (3) screws on each side, I needed to make sure I got it snug.
I replaced the stripped screw with a 5-40 ss screw, same as Penn stock.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/20160106_134107.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/20160106_134107.jpg.html)
The replaced screw has coarser threads and they're .55mm thicker.
I'm not crazy about the screws on these plates, so I decided to replaced all (6)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/20160106_134807.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/20160106_134807.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/20160106_134828.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/20160106_134828.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/20160106_134759.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/20160106_134759.jpg.html)
The screw head sticks out a bit, they do have low profile heads that would bring them flush, but I happen to like the look.
I did not re-tap the threads, I simply placed the larger screws in and slowly sat them in, SS digges into aluminum easily.
Probably not the correct way of doing this, but it worked out nicely for me.
I do not use power drives on aluminum frames, I've been saying this for a while, I believe the stripped screw was caused by one of those. Keith probably didn't even realize it when he serviced this reel.
Sal
Very nice
Nice upgrade, Sal. I had a FTH 15 for a while, and never liked the frame screws either. It was way too easy to have a screw driver slip, and that frame scratches easily. There are thumbscrews available, too, but they're pricey.
Hey Sal,
What is the copper method you were referring when addressing the stripped screw?
-Scott
Scott, it was mentioned here from someone, maybe the boss. Placing a shim in the hole would help tighten the screw most times, you could use whatever metal shim, as aluminum, stainless, copper and so on. I used a flat dog springs. I'm thinking it didn't work because the threads on the plate screws of the Fathom are really fine, I'm not sure why Penn would use those, since there are only 3 on each plate :-\.
Sal
Would a wrap of metal foil work to tighten stripped threads?
Could go up one tap size, just don't want to overtighten. Not sure how one would remove and replace a screw sleeve in a graphite frame? Heat and a helicoil insert? Not sure it could be done, and in either case I wouldn't try it on a nicer reel.
Quote from: Tightlines666 on January 08, 2016, 05:11:23 AM
Could go up one tap size, just don'the want to overtighten. Not sure how new would remove and replace a screw sleeve in a graphite frame? Heat and a hold coil insert? Not sure it could be done, and in either case I wouldn'the try it now a nicer reel like that one.
John, as stated above, I did go up in size, .45mm. I cleaned all 6 holes with a 5-40 tap and set them back in, they go in with less pressure now.
This would be a good upgrade for others that have these reels, it doesn't take very long to do.
Make sure the new ss screws are of the same length.
From looking at the screws they used, this one won't be the first or the last with a stripped screw.
Another good reason why I like to torque my screws on aluminum frames by hand, I like to feel it and not depend on a clutch from a power drive.
By the way John, these are metal frames, not graphite, if graphite didn't have inserts for the screws, they would be worthless.
In Penn defense, these reels are plenty strong, the frame comes with two ss pins that help keep the plates from rotating. those help with keeping everything aligned during assembly as well.
I really like this reel, Penn did a good job.
The only minor thing I'm personally not crazy about are the fine thread screws they used on the plates.
Sal