Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Fin-Nor Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: TheReelShop on February 04, 2017, 05:32:47 PM

Title: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on February 04, 2017, 05:32:47 PM
My brother in laws reel. Its a FinNor model N99 from 1957. Tore it apart and decided to add a carbon drag in place of the old worn cork. This reel has a spacer instead of Bellvilles, but I don't have any bellvilles laying around to replace the spacer. Regardless, I'm happy overall with where the reel is at the moment. I believe we ordered the 1.5mm carbon sheet, and the 2 part loctite 330. That thing is expensive like Alan had previously said but man its strong!! The only issue here so far is th clicker. This is the second vintage FinNor I work on, and the clickers are always giving issues. Worn out, so I need a new one (which god knows if its around), or fabricate a new one (maybe a longer shaft). Other than that after shimming the reel, the drag engages. Heres some of the work.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_01_47.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22275)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_04_52.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22276)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_07_02.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22277)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_05_30.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22278)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_05_51.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22279)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_06_11.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22280)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_10_47.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22281)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_11_04.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22282)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_11_20.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22283)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_11_39.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22284)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_12_09.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22286)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_12_32.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22287)

THE OLD DRAG

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_19_53.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22288)

REMOVED AND CLEANED OUT CORK

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_20_09.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22289)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_20_28.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22290)

GLUED AND CUT OUT DRAG

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_24_03.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22291)

ASSEMBLED!!! HAVE TO SPOOL THE REEL WITH LINE TO CHECK THE DRAG NUMBERS. ENDED UP SHIMMING THE LEFT SIDE FOR THE DRAG TO ENGAGE.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_24_19.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22292)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_24_33.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22293)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_24_51.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22294)



Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: alantani on February 04, 2017, 05:48:56 PM
sensei, arigato gozaimashita!  ;D
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: handi2 on February 04, 2017, 05:57:45 PM
Excellent job..!!

You brought that old reel back to new heights.

Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: foakes on February 04, 2017, 06:03:34 PM
Great job, Adrian --

Doesn't get any better than that --

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: alantani on February 04, 2017, 06:06:34 PM
this level of work is about as good as it gets!   ;D
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on February 04, 2017, 07:04:31 PM
Quote from: foakes on February 04, 2017, 06:03:34 PM
Great job, Adrian --

Doesn't get any better than that --

Best,

Fred
Quote from: handi2 on February 04, 2017, 05:57:45 PM
Excellent job..!!

You brought that old reel back to new heights.



Quote from: alantani on February 04, 2017, 06:06:34 PM
this level of work is about as good as it gets!   ;D

Thanks alot guys!
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: FatTuna on February 05, 2017, 12:10:50 AM
Nice work man. What was your technique for cutting and gluing the drag washer?
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on February 05, 2017, 01:43:18 AM
Quote from: FatTuna on February 05, 2017, 12:10:50 AM
Nice work man. What was your technique for cutting and gluing the drag washer?

This is what took a while. I first used a jigsaw to cut the circle. It came out ok but not professional. I wanted a professional finish. So I used a hole saw close to that size for both inner and outer. after, glued it to the platform and then with a circular sander/polisher, the edges were rounded off. Came out great. The two part loctite, the aerosol to the metal platform, and the other part rubbed on to the drag washer. I'm now working on being able to cut my drags out but perfect cuts. its been difficult because at least for me, I haven't found a good overall set of tools to do the job. I have a dremel and diamond hole saws but those go up to 1/2" only. The hole saw works too, but theres work to be done after!
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: foakes on February 05, 2017, 01:59:51 AM
Adrian --

Would a good set of dividers or a compass with a sharp point work -- to do repeat scoring?

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on February 05, 2017, 04:36:48 AM
Quote from: foakes on February 05, 2017, 01:59:51 AM
Adrian --

Would a good set of dividers or a compass with a sharp point work -- to do repeat scoring?

Best,

Fred

What are dividers?

I initially tried that. I found it to be a bit discouraging because I felt nothing was happening. Maybe cutting a piece without a fiberglass core would work. I even switched it to a surgical blade and same result. I have been given several hole saws by my dad and so far it works but it does require some finish work.
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: redsetta on February 06, 2017, 07:55:22 PM
Fantastic work Adrian.
It's such a pleasure giving reels like this a new lease on life.
Did something similar a while back and really enjoyed the process (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=3463.0 (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=3463.0))
Thanks for sharing!
All the best Justin
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: thorhammer on February 06, 2017, 08:41:50 PM
Awesome job to a classic!
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: Tightlines667 on February 06, 2017, 08:42:49 PM
I have used a dremel with a router style depth attachment.  This would work better with a jig.
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: FatTuna on February 07, 2017, 07:45:16 PM
Thanks for the info. The reel came out great.
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on February 10, 2017, 02:46:38 AM
Quote from: thorhammer on February 06, 2017, 08:41:50 PM
Awesome job to a classic!

thanks!!!

Quote from: redsetta on February 06, 2017, 07:55:22 PM
Fantastic work Adrian.
It's such a pleasure giving reels like this a new lease on life.
Did something similar a while back and really enjoyed the process (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=3463.0 (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=3463.0))
Thanks for sharing!
All the best Justin

thanks a lot really appreciate it!!

Quote from: Tightlines666 on February 06, 2017, 08:42:49 PM
I have used a dremel with a router style depth attachment.  This would work better with a jig.

you have a pic? I ordered and used a diamond hole saws but its hard to center on my dremel press.
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on February 10, 2017, 02:47:44 AM
Quote from: FatTuna on February 07, 2017, 07:45:16 PM
Thanks for the info. The reel came out great.

Thanks man. this site has helped me out so I feel its how I can give back by showing what I do and build off of the talent here as well!!
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: Calusa on February 10, 2017, 12:22:02 PM
Wow!

Awesome job, awesome reel.  ;D
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on March 30, 2017, 05:28:13 PM
I finally got line on the reel and to my surprise it produced a whopping 45lbs of drag!. Problem is the handle did not turn. The handle turns at 25lbs of drag which I feel is still good. Now the reel is not equipped with bellvilles. Instead it has a spacer washer. Im wondering if spring washers will help with the handle. Also I think maybe trying the angular contact bearings to see if it helps with the severe handle bind.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: Robert Janssen on April 03, 2017, 08:33:03 AM
Well, the thing with that is that these reels work a little differently than most. Here, i described it a post on another forum a long time ago:

"The thing with those reels, is that the action of the drag lever over its arc moves things in two distinct stages. The first being the jump from freespool into the drag range, the second being an actual increase in drag pressure. In the first stage, the drag lever shifts a brass plate out of three divots in the reel's RSP. These are pretty delicate. Putting too much pressure on them by cranking up the preset will eventually cause wear to the divots. In the second stage, the drag lever turns a very small gear which turns a very large gear which has a very fine thread, which in turn presses the spool against the drag washer. The sum total lateral movement induced by the drag lever in the drag range is incredibly small-- around 0.05 mm, which is about the thickness of a human hair. A more common lever drag reel would have around ten times that... In the reel as it was, the drag range from Min to Max was very little. The usual tricks of adding belleville spring washers does not apply here, since compressing a belleville spring washer by 0.05 mm will get you absolutely nowhere. Instead, the angler would be inclined to crank down the preset, which only adds to the wear on the preset divots..."

So, the spacer washer in your reel is intentional. It was designed that way. And I speculate that if you are getting 45 pounds of drag and the reel is hard to turn, it is simply because the preset is cranked way, waaay too high.

So, I think that if you put bellevilles in there, the actual increase in effective drag across the range of the drag lever will be very small. That is, there will be a jump from freespool to say, twenty pounds at the beginning of the drag lever's arc. And then like, twenty-one pounds at full.

Having said all that, I also say, why not try it anyway? Have at it; you might discover something new along the way.

.


Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on May 11, 2017, 02:24:45 AM
Quote from: Robert Janssen on April 03, 2017, 08:33:03 AM
Well, the thing with that is that these reels work a little differently than most. Here, i described it a post on another forum a long time ago:

"The thing with those reels, is that the action of the drag lever over its arc moves things in two distinct stages. The first being the jump from freespool into the drag range, the second being an actual increase in drag pressure. In the first stage, the drag lever shifts a brass plate out of three divots in the reel's RSP. These are pretty delicate. Putting too much pressure on them by cranking up the preset will eventually cause wear to the divots. In the second stage, the drag lever turns a very small gear which turns a very large gear which has a very fine thread, which in turn presses the spool against the drag washer. The sum total lateral movement induced by the drag lever in the drag range is incredibly small-- around 0.05 mm, which is about the thickness of a human hair. A more common lever drag reel would have around ten times that... In the reel as it was, the drag range from Min to Max was very little. The usual tricks of adding belleville spring washers does not apply here, since compressing a belleville spring washer by 0.05 mm will get you absolutely nowhere. Instead, the angler would be inclined to crank down the preset, which only adds to the wear on the preset divots..."

So, the spacer washer in your reel is intentional. It was designed that way. And I speculate that if you are getting 45 pounds of drag and the reel is hard to turn, it is simply because the preset is cranked way, waaay too high.

So, I think that if you put bellevilles in there, the actual increase in effective drag across the range of the drag lever will be very small. That is, there will be a jump from freespool to say, twenty pounds at the beginning of the drag lever's arc. And then like, twenty-one pounds at full.

Having said all that, I also say, why not try it anyway? Have at it; you might discover something new along the way.

.




Wow bad #### explanation. Makes a lot of sense. if I get some bellvilles to fit it in ill give it a shot. For now its already caught a small grouper haha and it worked just fine!!
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: 54bullseye on June 24, 2018, 05:01:33 PM
Quote from: TheReelShop on February 04, 2017, 05:32:47 PM
My brother in laws reel. Its a FinNor model N99 from 1957. Tore it apart and decided to add a carbon drag in place of the old worn cork. This reel has a spacer instead of Bellvilles, but I don't have any bellvilles laying around to replace the spacer. Regardless, I'm happy overall with where the reel is at the moment. I believe we ordered the 1.5mm carbon sheet, and the 2 part loctite 330. That thing is expensive like Alan had previously said but man its strong!! The only issue here so far is th clicker. This is the second vintage FinNor I work on, and the clickers are always giving issues. Worn out, so I need a new one (which god knows if its around), or fabricate a new one (maybe a longer shaft). Other than that after shimming the reel, the drag engages. Heres some of the work.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_01_47.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22275)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_04_52.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22276)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_07_02.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22277)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_05_30.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22278)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_05_51.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22279)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_06_11.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22280)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_10_47.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22281)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_11_04.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22282)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_11_20.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22283)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_11_39.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22284)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_12_09.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22286)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_12_32.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22287)

THE OLD DRAG

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_19_53.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22288)

REMOVED AND CLEANED OUT CORK

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_20_09.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22289)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_20_28.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22290)

GLUED AND CUT OUT DRAG

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_24_03.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22291)

ASSEMBLED!!! HAVE TO SPOOL THE REEL WITH LINE TO CHECK THE DRAG NUMBERS. ENDED UP SHIMMING THE LEFT SIDE FOR THE DRAG TO ENGAGE.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_24_19.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22292)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_24_33.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22293)

(http://alantani.com/gallery/22/medium_14016_22_10_17_6_24_51.jpeg) (http://alantani.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=22294)





Hi John Taylor here and I know this is an old post but how did you decide this reel is from 1957 exactly ??  Was it from the model number or just the configuration of parts. I can tell it's pre mid to late 60s by some reel features or lack of them but I would love to find out if there is a way of dating by model numbers or something else I am missing ? The catalog pictures aren't the greatest either !            John Taylor
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on June 28, 2018, 10:35:13 PM
On the Reel seat, It says 57. I could totally be wrong. But I took it as such. I too would like an for sure way of determining.
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: 54bullseye on June 28, 2018, 10:55:04 PM
So is it stamped into reel seat where you can see it while reel is together or is it hidden so it can only be seen when apart ?  Thanks for getting back to me !!   John Taylor
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: handi2 on June 28, 2018, 11:11:23 PM
I'm sure its newer than 57. It has the same features as their reels from the 70's. I have 4 of them in different sizes.
Title: Re: FinNor Model N99 from 1957.
Post by: TheReelShop on June 29, 2018, 05:25:44 PM
Quote from: 54bullseye on June 28, 2018, 10:55:04 PM
So is it stamped into reel seat where you can see it while reel is together or is it hidden so it can only be seen when apart ?  Thanks for getting back to me !!   John Taylor

On the actual reel seat. You do not have to take it apart to see it. It is on the side.