I had been looking for a model 2800 DE President II reel, they seem to be thin on the ground. Finally found an incomplete one, missing some bail parts and the spool, which is specific to that model because it has a quick-release mechanism, which a 2052 does not. I can create a Frankenreel with some 2052 parts but don't want to cannibalize my 2052s because they're too nice. Anybody have a cheap 2052 parts reel I can buy?
My 2052 parts donor reel arrived today and I am absolutely gonna lose my mind trying to get the bail spring installed properly. Whoever designed these coil bail springs deserves a swift kick in the behind.
Quote from: CincyDavid on February 14, 2026, 06:44:36 PMMy 2052 parts donor reel arrived today and I am absolutely gonna lose my mind trying to get the bail spring installed properly. Whoever designed these coil bail springs deserves a swift kick in the behind.
Yes , they are a pain . And make sure you don`t put it upside down . I do stretch it some to clock it !
Quote from: CincyDavid on February 14, 2026, 06:44:36 PMMy 2052 parts donor reel arrived today and I am absolutely gonna lose my mind trying to get the bail spring installed properly. Whoever designed these coil bail springs deserves a swift kick in the behind.
They're not terrible, just a little tricky. Check out the 2068 tutorial I did, there are detailed instructions in it on how to accomplish the task.
Yeah, the Shakespeare spinners are the toughest bail springs I've ever installed.
Good grief, I finally beat it into submission and I have a nice snappy bail spring. I stole the mainshaft and spool off a GRUBBY little 2052 DA, and guess what, the nylon "sleeve" that locates the spool on the shaft has split and is missing a chunk. So, I have a reel that looks complete but I need to find another 2052 parts donor with a good mainshaft.
Between Tommy's tutorial and some creative language on my part I got the spring done at least.
We went to Einstein Bros for a bagel this morning and I grabbed the straw out of the trash...fit that sleeve perfectly. Ordered some JB Weld, let's see if I can engineer something that will work without cannibalizing another reel.
Quote from: CincyDavid on February 16, 2026, 10:51:44 PMWe went to Einstein Bros for a bagel this morning and I grabbed the straw out of the trash...fit that sleeve perfectly. Ordered some JB Weld, let's see if I can engineer something that will work without cannibalizing another reel.
Just follow the instructions on the repair I did a few years back and you will be just fine and have a great working reel. Heck of a lot easier than aquiring a gaggle of parts reels. ;D
I was surprised I didn't already have JB Weld around here someplace. Maybe it got old and dried out and got pitched, I don't know.
David,
do you have photos of the gears,I suspect the 2200 II is similar?
Quote from: jgp12000 on February 17, 2026, 01:29:05 PMDavid,
do you have photos of the gears,I suspect the 2200 II is similar?
I'll take it apart later this week and snap some pics. I was starting to wonder if Shakespeare "borrowed" the quick release mechanism from Omori and used it on the President II line. Seems like it would have been a lot of effort to develop and engineer their own quick release mechanism when they were shutting down US production.
I went back to Frank's tutorial to see what the click gear looked like on the 2200 II,it doesn't have a plastic click gear bushing.
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=22330.0
Midway Tommy, you are a genius! The JB Weld repair worked like a charm and I'm not as skittish about buying later production 2052s now, at least DA dated ones. Had to buy a set of files, but they'll come in handy for future projects.
There's another 2800 on the bay right now, shot up to $41 with 6 days to go so I'm sitting that one out. I now have a 2800, 4@2810s, and a 2860 that's too pristine to even use. If I see a user quality 2840 I may buy it just to have the whole set.
The most recent 2800 just closed at $81...that's a whole lot of money for a nice, but not perfect little reel.
Talking about your acquisitions while still looking for stuff on ebay can come back to bite you
It seems like these items hit in waves..won't see anything interesting for a month then, WHAM.
I GOT A GOOD DEAL ON A SHAKES 2210 II, broke the bail during servicing then ordered another parts reel cheaper that looked even better. While waiting on the "parts reel" I found a new bail @ matsreelrepair.com, it costs more than either reel. I had to order it because I can't see a good reel go to waste ::) I am not gonna risk breaking yet another bail swapping the new bail to the better looking reel...
So in the game of Vintage reels sometimes you get stuck, do I sell the one with the new bail or keep both ;D It's a catch 22, but that's part of the game :fish
When in doubt, keep em.