Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Shakespeare => Topic started by: CincyDavid on February 26, 2026, 03:09:37 PM

Title: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: CincyDavid on February 26, 2026, 03:09:37 PM
The semi-gloss black JC Higgins 535-42100 is a large Shakespeare SeaWonder variant. This one has a maroon Shakespeare leg and foot but that can be refinished readily enough. The emblem is present but needs to be reattached. I paid VERY little for this one and I'm hoping it cleans up well.
Title: Re: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: happyhooker on February 26, 2026, 04:04:05 PM
Looks like another big Sea Wonder.  Obviously, the original leg was replaced at some point.  Another winner!

Frank
Title: Re: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: CincyDavid on February 26, 2026, 04:25:39 PM
Thanks Frank, these weird trade reels seem to just be falling out of trees lately.
Title: Re: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: rcmsangab on February 26, 2026, 07:31:10 PM
Kind of loving the the two-tone look!
Title: Re: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: CincyDavid on February 26, 2026, 11:42:31 PM
Thanks! It's an ugly SOB but it should clean up OK.
Title: Re: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: CincyDavid on March 02, 2026, 07:46:46 PM
Started the exterior cleanup today, reaffixed the emblem, got the leg off for refinishing.
Title: Re: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: CincyDavid on March 03, 2026, 04:29:46 PM
Cleaning it up slowly, a little gloss black Rustoleum on the leg helped too. Removed the leg, degreased it, scuffed with a gray Scotchbrite pad and shot it in black. Polished the bolt heads as best I could and put it back together. The cleaning continues today, been a bad couple of days with my hands, so I'm not messing with the inside till my hands cooperate better.
Title: Re: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: rcmsangab on March 03, 2026, 08:42:05 PM
Reel is looking good!
Title: Re: Another oddball Shakespeare trade reel followed me home
Post by: CincyDavid on March 04, 2026, 01:59:58 PM
Thanks Russ...these Sea Monsters are big heavy reels for sure. I feel like it could winch a Jeep out of a ditch.