Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn Senator Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: Shark Hunter on September 02, 2013, 06:06:43 PM

Title: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 02, 2013, 06:06:43 PM
I was going to make a parts reel into a functioning one. I realize now, this is more trouble than its worth.
It is a Vintage 12/0 with a red counterbalanced handle. I was going to turn it into a 116A.
I have a spool and crossbars, I tried to put it together and the 10/0 spool won't work with the bushing side plates. I guess the old bushing plates only work with 3 piece spools. At least on the handle side.
A set of bearing plates will cost too much to justify this project. Plus, the 116A stand is eluding me thus far.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: George4741 on September 03, 2013, 03:14:37 PM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on September 02, 2013, 06:06:43 PM

I was going to make a parts reel into a functioning one. I realize now, this is more trouble than its worth.
Sorry to hear this.  Now what are your plans with it?  Put it on the shelf for display only?
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 03, 2013, 07:53:14 PM
I'll keep using it for parts. It has all the guts still. I'll use the handle on another reel. I let a 12/0 spool go the other day. I should have snagged it. It went for about 40 bucks on fleabay. I could always go with the aluminum spool and spring for the new plates. Have you ever heard an aluminum spool 12/0 clicker sing? Man it is Loud! Louder than the cast spool.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Alto Mare on September 03, 2013, 08:27:32 PM
You're in a tough situation Daron. You already know I have a new  brass spool and you also know they're not cheap. I always purchase hard to get parts, even if I don't need them and yes I also have the stand for the10/0.
I wouldn't mind helping you out, but I do need to get what I paid for them.
The spool was $110 shipped to me and the stand was $45 shipped from harleerod, those are also impossible to find.

Honestly, you'll be better off buying one complete reel off ebay.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 04, 2013, 12:16:23 AM
No Situation Here Ole Buddy, ;)
Its not like I have to have that 4th, 12 or 10/0. I might need the guts someday. I will wait til I get bored with it again and try something else. I bought the stainless posts from fishing reel 079 and a couple handles, so I can send your replacement back when Lee gets the Handle Arms ready. I also purchased two 6/0 handles from the Boss. I think they look really good on Lee's Arms.
So, I had the posts and a spool, and supposedly a 10/0 stand from jdltreasures. I didn't realize the 10/0 one piece brass spool wouldn't work with the bushing side plates. Live and learn. Am I right on this?
I will probably end up putting the bearing plates and a new aluminum spool on it. Just not at the present time. I put that bearing side plate on the 12/0 that had the bushing plate I used because it had the broken clicker. When I tested it out, My Wife said, "Is it suppose to be that loud?" Those Aluminum spools really amplify that clicker. I just Grinned. ;D
You hold on to your parts Buddy. I think you have helped me out enough. ::)
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Alto Mare on September 04, 2013, 12:35:51 AM
The left side of that 3-piece spool is exactly the same as the left side of the newer solid spool, the right sides are different. As I mentioned earlier, you could still make that reel work using one bushing and one bearing.
Don't worry about returning that handle, that was yours from the day I sent it to you.
Hey, now you can think of me while reeling in that monster ;).
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Bunnlevel Sharker on September 04, 2013, 02:01:10 AM
The cast spools clicker makes it sound kinda tinny and high pitched to me, more of a shriek when a BT hits a king bait. Now when the alum spool starts drum rolling........... :o
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 11, 2013, 04:55:39 AM
I hate the Blacktips! >:(
They are bait stealing little Devils! The first small one I hook is getting yakked out for Hammerhead Bait!
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 29, 2013, 08:28:49 PM
Honestly, I'd just get rid of that 12/0, cause the counter-balanced handle means that reel is old, and the handle, drag, and spool were not the only things changed over the years. I would not trust those old gears to hold a trophy fish, but thats just me I suppose.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Alto Mare on September 29, 2013, 08:53:25 PM
Usually the counter-balanced handle comes on the 3-piece spools. Don't get rid of that steel gears set just yet, they might be better than anything else out there...strength wise.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 29, 2013, 08:57:50 PM
Whoa, the reel had stainless gears?! I thought it had all original parts for some reason.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 29, 2013, 09:02:03 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on September 29, 2013, 08:53:25 PM
Usually the counter-balanced handle comes on the 3-piece spools. Don't get rid of that steel gears set just yet, they might be better than anything else out there...strength wise.
Thanks for clarifying!
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Alto Mare on September 29, 2013, 09:06:29 PM
No, I said steel. The pinion should be stainless steel, the main gear is plain steel on those, a little stronger than stainless steel but prone to rust. Keeping them nicely greased should take care of that.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 29, 2013, 09:11:42 PM
Aha, oops. That's embarrassing. Do you know when Pen switched from steel to brass?
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Alto Mare on September 29, 2013, 09:15:50 PM
Never a need to be embarrassed here. About the gears, I'm going to guestimate mid 50's, but there are guys here that know way more than me, so maybe they'll chime in.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 29, 2013, 09:17:04 PM
Okay, Thanks!
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 29, 2013, 11:39:13 PM
Quote from: Dynamo on September 29, 2013, 08:28:49 PM
Honestly, I'd just get rid of that 12/0, cause the counter-balanced handle means that reel is old, and the handle, drag, and spool were not the only things changed over the years. I would not trust those old gears to hold a trophy fish, but thats just me I suppose.
With a one piece spool. This reel will hold its own. I think the older gear sets are actually stronger than the newer ones with bronze main gears. I know this! ;) You can usually tell how much an old 12 was fished by the condition of the gears and the slop in the sleeve. You would be surprised. Once you upgrade the drags and spool, your set.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 29, 2013, 11:51:48 PM
Wow, ok. I have always heard that the old Senator had weaker gears. You learn something new every day! But the older 12/0's had bushings, not bearings, will you have to replace the side plate? And do all of your 12/0's have the marlin/boat decal on the left side plate? Mine doesn't.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 29, 2013, 11:55:47 PM
You shouldn't believe everything you hear Dynamo. To fit a one piece spool on a reel with bushings, you have to replace at least the handle side plate with a bearing one and roll with a bushing and a bearing.
Or you can replace both.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 30, 2013, 12:43:25 AM
Thought so, thanks! By the way, I researched, and in fact it was the very earliest models with bad gears. Penn must have fixed that problem soon after. I got the info from a reliable source. By the way, do any of your Senators not have the marlin/boat decal? Cause my 12/0 doesn't
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 30, 2013, 12:56:33 AM
I just looked and three have the Marlin, one does not. Its not the older one either.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 30, 2013, 01:08:00 AM
I wonder if anyone else knows why some have the decal and other don't. My 6/0 and 9/0 have decals, and they are like over 50 years old. Custom painting the side plate is easier without the decal for sure, though.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 30, 2013, 01:10:51 AM
I'm not sure what you mean by Decal? My side plates are etched in with this scene. The Marlin Jumping and the waves with the Boat.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 30, 2013, 01:12:42 AM
Oh, I am referring to the Sailfish/Boat decoration on the side plate. Why did some have it and some not? Perplexing, indeed.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Bunnlevel Sharker on September 30, 2013, 03:22:30 AM
The wear off with use and handling
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 30, 2013, 03:38:35 AM
Really?! Shucks, my side plate is just completely smooth. That's nice to know.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Shark Hunter on September 30, 2013, 03:43:48 AM
I think some were just made that way. The plate that is smooth, is just that, smooth. It has the Penn lettering on the bottom, Philadelphia, PA. etc. Just no scene.
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Dynamo on September 30, 2013, 04:35:24 PM
Yes, i think so too. I wonder why some didn't. Perhaps it was cheaper?
Title: Re: Vintage 12/0
Post by: Mandelstam on September 30, 2013, 05:51:19 PM
I'm also interested in the different sideplate scenes that you find on older senators. Seems there isn't much documentation around. At least I haven't found anything. Seems that it could be a good way of dating a reel. Or at least date the sideplate.