Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => General Spinning Reel Questions => Topic started by: CincyDavid on May 21, 2026, 02:42:43 PM

Title: Bretton-built 306-39910 JC Higgins for Sears
Post by: CincyDavid on May 21, 2026, 02:42:43 PM
This reel arrived today, decent shape, but I have never seen this particular style of crank handle on a Bretton. The older ones like this that I have seen previously have a rounded-bullet shaped base, not the flat one on this reel. Not quite sure what the story is, but it seems to work OK.
Title: Re: Bretton-built 306-39910 JC Higgins for Sears
Post by: CincyDavid on May 22, 2026, 12:52:51 PM
I belatedly noticed that the metal nameplate is cockeyed in its opening. I don't know if it was sloppy assembly or it fell off and whoever reattached it just slapped it on there.
Title: Re: Bretton-built 306-39910 JC Higgins for Sears
Post by: oldmanjoe on May 22, 2026, 03:55:56 PM
       " Friendly Banter "   I would skip a nap today and fix it .
Title: Re: Bretton-built 306-39910 JC Higgins for Sears
Post by: CincyDavid on May 22, 2026, 04:15:41 PM
Quote from: oldmanjoe on May 22, 2026, 03:55:56 PM" Friendly Banter "   I would skip a nap today and fix it .
I know it's gonna bug me, but I don't want to deform the metal plate, it's very thin. I was expecting it to be a foil label but it's actual metal.
Title: Re: Bretton-built 306-39910 JC Higgins for Sears
Post by: akroper on May 23, 2026, 07:13:15 AM
I have successfully removed a number of metal labels/tags, even the jumping trout on DQ spinners, by careful, judicious use of a heat gun to soften whatever adhesive was used to attach them.  I soften the adhesive and then slide an exacto knife under the tag to lift them off.
Your mileage may vary.  Careful and judicious are the key words.
Title: Re: Bretton-built 306-39910 JC Higgins for Sears
Post by: Midway Tommy on May 23, 2026, 05:20:37 PM
You can also do it as akroper suggested using a hairdryer if you don't have a heat gun. I've done it numerous times. It's not difficult, it just takes a little time & patience. I use epoxy for glue rather than contact cement because I want them to be waterproof over the long haul.  ;)
Title: Re: Bretton-built 306-39910 JC Higgins for Sears
Post by: rcmsangab on May 23, 2026, 07:31:21 PM
Quote from: akroper on May 23, 2026, 07:13:15 AMI have successfully removed a number of metal labels/tags, even the jumping trout on DQ spinners, by careful, judicious use of a heat gun to soften whatever adhesive was used to attach them.  I soften the adhesive and then slide an exacto knife under the tag to lift them off.
Your mileage may vary.  Careful and judicious are the key words.
I have had two Dam Quick jumping trout fall off in the rinsing process after leaving the reel body soaking in Dawn and warm water. Maybe they had already been reglued by someone else - but good to learn it is not an inherent problem to those awesome reels.
Russ