I've been wondering around on here for a couple days and decides to join up.
I recently inherited several Newell's (540's, 546's, 550's), most are in need of some work. I'm new to reel repair, but I plan on tackling these myself. Is there still a source for Newell parts?
Also, most of these reels are 3.2's which are a bit low for the depth I fish, is there a way to change gear ratios?
Hi
this one is going to be tough. bearings are standard, drag sets are still available, nad we have handles! other parts will be tough. there are very few guys that have parts anymore.
The Newell's are really popular reels here on Oahu, HI. There are several local guys with expressive collections, and some which sell parts and upgrades on a regular basis. Not sure if these guys might be willing to ship to you or not but if you look around different sites you might be able to find what you need. There are at least 2 companies that are manufacturing aftermarket SS high speed gear sets for the 400 and 500 series, aftermarket handles are available, tiburon has frames and spools, there are several different options for bearings, and at least 2 complete drag kit upgrades available.
This guy seems to always have a good inventory of Newell parts
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/spo/4230027013.html
Might want to try to give him a call?
As I recall there is a guy in Florida that had a large stock of new/old stock newell parts, you may want to search around the net a bit.
But to answer your question...yes you can modify the gear ratio fairly easily, just need a new gear set (pinion and main gear).
Hope this helps
Welcome, those are some very nice Newell's you have there. IMO one of if not the easiest of the conventional reels to work on. Have fun with it and post pics. We love pictures.
Bob
Welcome needsaboat!
You will get the answers you seek here! ;)
Thanks for all the helpful responses everyone! I'm excited about getting these babies back in action! They've caught more fish than I can ever hope to catch, but it's fun to try!
I have a lot of Newell parts but you will not be able to easily convert a 3.2 to high speed without changing the spools. I do also have a very large collection of Newells and I like the 3.2s so I can trade you some high speed Newells. PM me and we can discuss your options.
Try contacting Peesherman http://alantani.com/index.php?action=profile;u=8655. He's located in Hawaii as well, and just got a whole mess of parts.
If you need drag sets, I have a 5+1 set that I offer with thinner metal washers. See what some have said about them.
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=8637.0
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=8200.0
Send me or Alan Tani a PM is you are interested.
The low speed 3.2 has a larger spool shaft than you see on the high speed reels and that is why a conversion would be almost impossible but very costly to try it. I have enough parts to convert 2 or 3 of them but you would have to send me reels and I would install the parts. I have complete new gear sets and spools for the 500s and 600s. The high speed Newells that I could trade you do not need any work so this is your best option. They are mint condition with new bearings and smooth drags. You could add Bryan's 5 stack drag and a Tiburon frame if you needed to tinker with something.
Quote from: Newell Nut on December 16, 2013, 04:18:11 PM
The low speed 3.2 has a larger spool shaft than you see on the high speed reels and that is why a conversion would be almost impossible but very costly to try it. I have enough parts to convert 2 or 3 of them but you would have to send me reels and I would install the parts. I have complete new gear sets and spools for the 500s and 600s. The high speed Newells that I could trade you do not need any work so this is your best option. They are mint condition with new bearings and smooth drags. You could add Bryan's 5 stack drag and a Tiburon frame if you needed to tinker with something.
Newell Nut, thanks for the offer, when I get off work I'll send you a PM with my models, etc. I may want to hang on to one 3.2, but I'm very interested in trading.
Great, all of my stuff is maxed out so I am getting bored and need to work on something.
I don't think that I was this bored. Jesse and I met and he handed over 4 Newell 500 series reels. Externally they looked okay but the internals were a whole lot of trouble. It was a challenging endeavor and quite a learning experience since I ran into some tough problems. If I had to charge for labor they would have to go into the trash bin for sure. But for 300 in parts he will have super nice reels if I could just figure which parts on the pile go into which reel. HMMMM ;)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/IMG_0009_zps59730ffe.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/IMG_0009_zps59730ffe.jpg.html)
Wow Dwight. That's some bench there. I'm sure you know exactly where everything is. ;)
There is a system. The far left is the 540, next is 546 and then the two 550s and one is bolted up. Most of the parts are interchangeable anyway. I just finished the 540 and 546 and pulled 42 pounds of drag on both with some room left on the star.
Jesse needs to start pumping iron to use these reels and get some heavier line.
Very nice Dwight, that bench has lots of room, mine got away from me ::). Every time a try to put everything back, I walk away.
Thanks Sal, If you could see all of the bench it is 7' long with double file drawers on the bottom at each end. I designed it so the top would unbolt from the file drawers to make it easier to move. Under the protective cover is 3/4 oak plywood. There is also a vice on the right corner. I originally built it for a reloading bench and now it is a gun and reel combo bench. Recognize the boxes under the bench? One has the Beast in it.
A week ago these were worthless reels destined for the spare parts bin and today they are smooth as silk and boast a hefty 42 lb drag system in each. Ready for some serious action. ;D
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/IMG_0017_zps4ec1e2ed.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/IMG_0017_zps4ec1e2ed.jpg.html)
Welcome and that is a great lookin set of reels.
Those look pretty sweet Dwight! ;)
Thanks, Big change from the previous photo. Jesse will be very happy with these. All of them are the 500 series with double dogs and stainless gears and 3.2 gear.
well done, sir!
Thanks Alan, the SS 5-40 all thread from McMaster Carr was just right to replace the long body screw that I needed on one of the 550s. Since I have installed several Tiburon frames on personal reels I had some of those threaded sleeve nuts so I used permanent loc-tite and screwed it on the left hand end. Opened the side plate hole just a little so the extra OD would slide in place. Used the standard threaded sleeve nut on the handle side as normal.
So if any Newell guys have a long body screw messed up that is found on the Cs and Ss then go to McMaster for your 5-40 SS all thread. Comes in two foot lengths for 2.55 a stick and 6 to ship.
Anyone owning a Newell with those long body screws should lube them very well. It appears that it is a low grade SS and they will rust.
Glad you found a solution. My buddy in Hawaii could not find one.
Thanks for you help Bryan. After 40 year of work on power plants I have learned to be innovative at times to make things work.