Just like that horse in the movie, this little reel has True Grit! Old Penn catalogs state the 180 Baymaster was Penn's first freshwater reel...designed for bays, lakes, and rivers. By today's standards it is a little heavy...and "clunky"...for lack of a better term. I set out to lighten one, and tighten up the feel.
Ever hold one of these old Penns in your hand and rotate it? I hate how the whole drive train clunks from side to side. A simple shim or two cures this. Weight was reduced by going to a plastic spool filled with Dacron, and it will work just fine for medium freshwater duty. I selected the #24-85 handle as the perfect size for this application. That stock #24-109 they put on a Baymaster is just too small, and likewise, a big power handle is overkill here.
After buttoning it all back together, I slapped it on the scale. At 11 ounces it was significantly lighter than my Surfmaster 100/aluminum spool that weighed in at 17 ounces. Ahh...the sweet smell of success! :D ;) 8)
These were the donor reels...I just love these crappy eBay pics...they try so hard to hide damage!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4853/45512996874_26bdcff137_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ckQ1jE)(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4232/34826491623_8e579b1df7_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V4uSC8)
I selected the best components from the donors, plus a few parts from Scott's too.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4256/34826486133_e51e736c9e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V4uQZt)
I know...I know...nobody likes plastic spools. I think someone must be sandbaggin' me though, judging by the prices they're bringing! The chromed spool weighed 3.1 oz. and the plastic one weighed 1.6 oz. Significant weight and inertia loss, perfect for casting baits under an ounce.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4285/34826490253_277598bf37_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V4uSdv)
Here's the finished reel, light and tight, Lit'l Blackie should make a long day of casting a breeze!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4253/35635263925_6ee7411639_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WhY3sa)
Mo that's a good looking little package.....thanks for saving these little beasts....Bill
Nice job! They all have their uses.
Very nice, Looks like that reel has some good ju-ju. I foresee good fortune if you fish that reel. The Swami has spoken.
Nice! I have a Monofil 25 converted to a 27 I have been using in place of my 100s.
Nice work... Dominick
I appreciate the interest folks, thanks! Maybe one of the machinist/gear developers here could answer this: Why isn't there a 4:1 gear set available for #5-155 or #5-60? Is it lack of demand? Size confinement? If a 4:1 Jigmaster can be upped to 5:1...I'd think the same could be applied to these other gears. ???
Quote from: mo65 on July 18, 2016, 11:57:36 AM
I appreciate the interest folks, thanks! Maybe one of the machinist/gear developers here could answer this: Why isn't there a 4:1 gear set available for #5-155 or #5-60? Is it lack of demand? Size confinement? If a 4:1 Jigmaster can be upped to 5:1...I'd think the same could be applied to these other gears. ???
I would think both lack of demand and size confinement. If you look at the Jigmaster, that main gear is huge. To increase the ratio you either make the main gear larger or the pinion gear smaller, or both. I don't think there is enough room in the gear well on the 155 or Long Beach to get much done, but the real reason may be lack of demand. I don't know if anyone has tried.
Sid
Why??? If you need a small reel with a higher gear ratio get a 501 or a bait caster. No reason to produce something that is already available.
Higher gear ratio gears will not fit.
A reel smaller than a 501 with 4:1 gears has it's place Rudy, I use the very small Calcutta for trout, kokane and steelhead but wish it had a clicker.
Hats off to mo65 --
That is a sweet little reel -- as he has modified and improved it for a specific application.
Like many, many other members of our AT site -- it is great to see their work, sharing, and photos of projects.
Here is a guy, who comes on the AT Board -- knows what he is about, doesn't act like a know it all -- and has a good sense of humor --
And, knows his way around reels by asking questions, listening, experimenting, applying what he learns -- and most importantly -- sharing his information and projects with all of us...
Sort of reminds me of the "bootlegger cars" in the 30's, 40's, and 50's...
These were stock looking, white bread cars -- with souped up engines and beefed up suspension systems -- that would out run anything on the road except for two way radios. They were built so as to not draw any attention. The strong suspension was useful for carrying 150 or 200 gallons of moonshine -- plus with the ability to get off of the main roads when needed -- and to skillfully navigate the little known back-country routes.
Take a black, dusty '40 Ford Coupe with a big trunk, a modified Cadillac engine, and special suspension for example. Looks plain on the outside, and there were a million of them on the road -- but when push came to shove -- all that the Revenue Agents ever saw was generally dust.
Or Paul Newman's Volvo Station wagon that had a 400 HP Super Charged Ford V-8 racing engine -- instead of the soccer mom's inline stock straight "6".
Thanks to all of you who try different things -- that is how innovation and progress continue.
Not everyone needs a hot rod, beefed up reel -- but it shows what can be done when we think a little ways out of the box.
Every reel has its place...
Thanks again, for all who contribute to Alan's Site --
Just my opnions...
Best,
Fred
Its sweet Moe! Thanks for sharing!!! I love all these little Penn's. Keep up the great work.
...........Lou
Quote from: foakes on July 18, 2016, 02:45:28 PM
Hats off to mo65 --
Thanks Fred! I really do appreciate the kind words...and all the help and answers I've received. I pretty much figured side plate design restricts gear size on these reels, but how did my 501 go from stock 4:1 to a Pro Challenger 5:1? Same plate...and both gears are same diameter...did tooth count or something change? Couldn't this be applied to a squidder/sufmaster/baymaster/monofil size reel's gears also?
*And RowdyW...In my hands there's a
huge difference between a 180 and a 501. I have a fast 501 that's real good 'n heavy...I want a fast/light Baymaster too!
Quote from: foakes on July 18, 2016, 02:45:28 PM
Hats off to mo65 --
That is a sweet little reel -- as he has modified and improved it for a specific application.
Like many, many other members of our AT site -- it is great to see their work, sharing, and photos of projects.
Here is a guy, who comes on the AT Board -- knows what he is about, doesn't act like a know it all -- and has a good sense of humor --
And, knows his way around reels by asking questions, listening, experimenting, applying what he learns -- and most importantly -- sharing his information and projects with all of us...
Sort of reminds me of the "bootlegger cars" in the 30's, 40's, and 50's...
These were stock looking, white bread cars -- with souped up engines and beefed up suspension systems -- that would out run anything on the road except for two way radios. They were built so as to not draw any attention. The strong suspension was useful for carrying 150 or 200 gallons of moonshine -- plus with the ability to get off of the main roads when needed -- and to skillfully navigate the little known back-country routes.
Take a black, dusty '40 Ford Coupe with a big trunk, a modified Cadillac engine, and special suspension for example. Looks plain on the outside, and there were a million of them on the road -- but when push came to shove -- all that the Revenue Agents ever saw was generally dust.
Or Paul Newman's Volvo Station wagon that had a 400 HP Super Charged Ford V-8 racing engine -- instead of the soccer mom's inline stock straight "6".
Thanks to all of you who try different things -- that is how innovation and progress continue.
Not everyone needs a hot rod, beefed up reel -- but it shows what can be done when we think a little ways out of the box.
Every reel has its place...
Thanks again, for all who contribute to Alan's Site --
Just my opnions...
Best,
Fred
I agree with everyone of Fred's points, except the one about not needing a hot rod ;D
Very well done Mo and thanks for sharing. Respect to you and Fred's words of wisdom. Hope you catch plenty of lunkers and get great satisfaction doing it on your little hot-rod.
Quote from: mo65 on July 18, 2016, 11:57:36 AM
Maybe one of the machinist/gear developers here could answer this: Why isn't there a 4:1 gear set available for #5-155 or #5-60? Is it lack of demand? Size confinement? If a 4:1 Jigmaster can be upped to 5:1...I'd think the same could be applied to these other gears. ???
I don't know how I missed this...or how nobody mentioned it...but there
IS a 4:1 gear set sized similar to a #5-60. Even takes the #6-60 drag washers. It's called a Mag 10!
You Go Barney! ;D
Quote from: Shark Hunter on August 14, 2016, 07:55:47 PM
You Go Barney! ;D
Hee hee...does he look confident or what?