Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: Decker on April 10, 2018, 09:12:19 PM

Title: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: Decker on April 10, 2018, 09:12:19 PM
Anyone who knows me well knows that my imagination tends to outstrip my time and abilities to get things done.  Thankfully, many on this site are quite effective in getting things done with their hands.  Whatever I can accomplish with a fishing reel comes from standing on the shoulders of others.

I had an Ambassadeur given to me as a kid, and grew to love it, but haven't owned one since.  This site has sparked my imagination to experiment with Penn reels, and I'd like to come up with he best light casting Penn that I possibly can.  I'm thinking of a reel for surf, jetty and bay casting, to use for fluke, tautog, stripers, whatever.  Typically smaller species, but with the ability to handle something up to 10 lbs or so.  You might think of the Jigmaster 146 or Surfmaster 100 as likely candidates, and I love those reels, but find them too heavy for my Pennbassadeur.  

The Penn 10 Mag is one of my favorites.  The level-wind is great for fishing with the family, but gets in the way of serious surf-casting (can't survive a shock leader).   So I bought a Penn 10 that had a broken level-wind, and removed all parts that would inhibit casting. At a hobby shop I found some aluminum tube stock: K&G Metals 5/16''x.014.  This turned out to be the perfect size to take the place of the worm bar, filling the void in the side plates.   The metal tubing only required a little sanding to fit the side plate.   It looks good.

Below is a pic of a  Baymaster 180 with Tiburon frame next to the 10.   This reel is quite a bit lighter than the 10, and both are lighter than the 146 and 100.   The lightness is really nice for comfort in casting.   My 180 has some really thick mono on it currently - not great for distance but maybe good for dropping into the rocks for fiesty blackfish.  The 10 has an over-sized braid, and will be up to some distance casting into beach breakers.   We'll see how big a fish this little guy can handle, and if it is not up to wrestling the surf beasts, the 146 may take its place.   I put "baby steps" in the title because this is a small conversion, and I'd like to do more with time.              



Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: xjchad on April 10, 2018, 09:20:14 PM
Cool idea, and very clean way to remove the levelwind!  8) 8)
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: thorhammer on April 10, 2018, 11:32:10 PM
Don't be afeared of that 10: it's my go to for livebaiting stripers in my lake and you wont have any issue with fish out to 20lbs maybe more...remember the 10 has bigger gears than the 9 and is not far off the Squidder in drag. I've been thinking about a solid bar for years, great job!
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: steelfish on April 11, 2018, 12:23:35 AM
Joe,

did you wanted to use obligatory a vintage penn reel?
penn fathom 12 or 15 would do wonders as a surf reel

I mean, at the end you wanted something that make you remember your ambassadeur, right?
why didnt you went with a abu garcia 6500 or 7000?
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: thorhammer on April 11, 2018, 12:33:42 AM
i cant answer for Joe, Alex, besides wanting to tinker....but  the Mag 10 drag is better than 6500 and maybe 7000 (def narrow reel). Mainly, I just bought a 10 in the box a couple weeks ago for $40. 6500 might go for 80 or more in good shape, and the 7000 over a hundred...then you gotta buy a solid bar from Hatteras Jack. Reel stand is heavier too.

Don't get me wrong, i have several dozen Ambassadeurs but that Mag 10 is an underated little tank, or maybe just a good secret....I'd love an alumium CC frame for them.


John
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: steelfish on April 11, 2018, 12:51:00 AM
Quote from: thorhammer on April 11, 2018, 12:33:42 AM

Don't get me wrong, John
of course I dont, amigo, that why I was asking, I dont know much about the penn 10 mag so, its cool to know that its an underrated tank, that answers my question.

I have a squidder 146 in really good shape that I built to be used on the beach, but I always ended up grabbing my saltist 20h when going bait fishing from the shore and my 6500c3
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: thorhammer on April 11, 2018, 01:10:56 AM
Hey Alex, I checked the schematics before answering positively, but essentially in replacing the levelwind you make yourself a high-speed Squidder 145 at 4:1, i believe....a nice bit of kit, as our friends in Oz and NZ might say. Same 60 gear and carbontex drag kit from Dawn.

I caught a ton of fish in the surf on 6500C3, but clearly the Penn is an easier service and more drag.

The fathom is obviously new tech and $150 tag...a superior weapon.

i still have a goody box i have to send down to you when I get back in-country.


John
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: mo65 on April 11, 2018, 01:24:28 AM
   I really like your customs Joe. It's nice to see some attention given to models that don't get a lot of praise. In your quest for a Penn light casting reel...have you considered the Levelmatic? It's probably the closest thing to an old style Ambassadeur that Penn ever made. 8)
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: thorhammer on April 11, 2018, 01:28:04 AM
Chad, there are already bars for Surfmasters....how about you build on this with a 3-D bar for a 10 with a rebar in it...
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: steelfish on April 11, 2018, 01:32:37 AM
Quote from: mo65 on April 11, 2018, 01:24:28 AM
It's probably the closest thing to an old style Ambassadeur that Penn ever made. 8)[/color]

I should have searched a bit about the mag10 before posting  ;D ;D

I just did a quick search on the web and found out the same thing Mo just said, this thing its a ambassadeur but Pennisized

this pic came from the mod Mike is making to his mag10 but I could note easily the size vs the 146 and abu 6500
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: Decker on April 11, 2018, 04:31:57 AM
Wow, I didn't expect such a lively conversation.

John, when you have mentioned catching stripers before on a 10, I didn't imagine you were catching them in freshwater.  Gotta try that sometime!  I saw this movie, "Landlocked: How South Carolina Made Fishing History"  - really interesting how the dam construction along the river led to the accidental development of a freshwater striper fishery.

Alex, you're right, I'm cheap and old skool ::)  My true favorite surfcaster is the Slosh, but I want to do something with a vintage Penn.  Saltists are sweet too, but a little too new for my taste 8)  If I start throwing plugs with conventional, I'll likely get into an Ambassadeur.

Mo, I've never fished a Levelmatic.  They look too much like an Abu copy to get my interest.  Would you put one up against a fat catfish?

One more photo of the 10.  I put a 66 star on it.  Sweet in case I need to button down for a big one.  I ended up putting the original 10-60 on the 180, replacing the smaller 10-180 there.   Three different size star drags to fit the same sleeve - how cool is that?  I couldn't have this much fun with with an Abu or a Daiwa!  I'm like a kid with a box of legos! You should see how I scramble the Jigmaster, Silver Beach, Surfmaster 250, and Live Bait Caster 259 parts in three spool widths  ;D :o 8)  

P.S.  Just saw that ProChallenger is releasing a red and a silver 29L-100 spool.  Gotta have a red one one for my 180!   http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=25031



Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: xjchad on April 11, 2018, 01:56:32 PM
I'm loving this thread!
I have a nice little mag 10 that I snagged for cheap after I read Sal's thread on it.
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: Decker on April 11, 2018, 02:09:20 PM
Quote from: xjchad on April 11, 2018, 01:56:32 PM
I'm loving this thread!
I have a nice little mag 10 that I snagged for cheap after I read Sal's thread on it.
Chad, could you post a link to Sal's thread?   I don't know if I've seen that one yet.
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: thorhammer on April 11, 2018, 02:21:28 PM
Joe, i just reread original post...I used mine flounder fishing also. If you are soaking bait for the species you described, you created as good a reel as you'll need. You might consider the 24-310 handle that has the bigger football knob. A  nice upgrade for cranking back lead across the bottom if you don't want to go up to 24-66. I like the 10-66 star. 
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: xjchad on April 11, 2018, 02:27:15 PM
Sure thing Joe
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=15922.0
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: mo65 on April 11, 2018, 02:40:54 PM
Quote from: Decker on April 11, 2018, 04:31:57 AM
 Just saw that ProChallenger is releasing a red and a silver 29L-100 spool.  Gotta have a red one one for my 180!   http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=25031

   I was gonna suggest this but I see you're already savvy. 8)
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: Decker on April 11, 2018, 02:51:32 PM
Quote from: thorhammer on April 11, 2018, 02:21:28 PM
Joe, i just reread original post...I used mine flounder fishing also. If you are soaking bait for the species you described, you created as good a reel as you'll need. You might consider the 24-310 handle that has the bigger football knob. A  nice upgrade for cranking back lead across the bottom if you don't want to go up to 24-66. I like the 10-66 star.  

I have some of those 24-310 handles from a Seaboy lot, and will try one.   The thing about bigger handles... you get more leverage, but the larger cranking diameter means it is more work to crank fast from the wrist.   With the slow retrieve ratios especially, my tendency is to use a small handle.   But, no doubt, if I'm fighting a 20lb striper or 15 lb bluefish on a 10, the bigger handle is going to be more comfortable.  Those 24-155 old-time (hand lathed?) football knobs are like candy too -- butterscotch, cherry, lime, rootbeer  -- I can't resist them.   ;D
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: thorhammer on April 11, 2018, 03:14:13 PM
310 and 155 are about the same throw, but 310 has the big knob. Agree, the -66 isn't a fast crank. The butterscotch to me has the most curb appeal of any knob....that's what I set on my Senator line up, 1/0 - 16/0. And I put them on all my old maroon nine's, With ole-skool cool Stren gold, and maroon 500's. 
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: mo65 on April 11, 2018, 04:55:43 PM
Quote from: Decker on April 11, 2018, 02:51:32 PM
 The thing about bigger handles... you get more leverage, but the larger cranking diameter means it is more work to crank fast from the wrist.   With the slow retrieve ratios especially, my tendency is to use a small handle.  

  We must be thinking alike, because my 180 has the same handle you put on yours Joe, the #24-85. I also used a #10-60 drag star. I thought you might like my budget ring restoration too. They were so trashed I used wrinkle paint...sheer genius...HA! :D
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: steelfish on April 11, 2018, 05:14:23 PM
Quote from: mo65 on April 11, 2018, 04:55:43 PM
I thought you might like my budget ring restoration too. They were so trashed I used wrinkle paint...sheer genius...HA! :D[/color]

pure geniuses !!
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: Decker on April 11, 2018, 06:09:33 PM
I think I got the original impulse to try those handles from you, Mo.

Looks good; will it stick?   Someday I'm going to try coating chrome parts, and hope to learn from everyone else's experience before I do ;)
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: mo65 on April 11, 2018, 06:30:20 PM
Quote from: Decker on April 11, 2018, 06:09:33 PM
I think I got the original impulse to try those handles from you, Mo.

Looks good; will it stick?   Someday I'm going to try coating chrome parts, and hope to learn from everyone else's experience before I do ;)

   That paint has been on there for 2 years. I've fished the reel 4 or 5 times, so I reckon it's stuck on pretty good. The key is to rough the surface...chrome is like a mirror...kinda smooth. The only substance known to man that will stick to shiny chrome is corrosion.  ;)
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: Gfish on April 11, 2018, 07:36:08 PM
Looks good hoss!
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: thorhammer on October 27, 2019, 12:34:06 PM
Quote from: mo65 on April 11, 2018, 06:30:20 PM
Quote from: Decker on April 11, 2018, 06:09:33 PM
I think I got the original impulse to try those handles from you, Mo.

Looks good; will it stick?   Someday I'm going to try coating chrome parts, and hope to learn from everyone else's experience before I do ;)

   That paint has been on there for 2 years. I've fished the reel 4 or 5 times, so I reckon it's stuck on pretty good. The key is to rough the surface...chrome is like a mirror...kinda smooth. The only substance known to man that will stick to shiny chrome is corrosion.  ;)


Mike, how's that paint holding up?
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: mo65 on October 27, 2019, 03:17:04 PM
Quote from: thorhammer on October 27, 2019, 12:34:06 PM
Quote from: mo65 on April 11, 2018, 06:30:20 PM
Quote from: Decker on April 11, 2018, 06:09:33 PM
I think I got the original impulse to try those handles from you, Mo.
Looks good; will it stick?   Someday I'm going to try coating chrome parts, and hope to learn from everyone else's experience before I do ;)
That paint has been on there for 2 years. I've fished the reel 4 or 5 times, so I reckon it's stuck on pretty good. The key is to rough the surface...chrome is like a mirror...kinda smooth. The only substance known to man that will stick to shiny chrome is corrosion.  ;)

 
Mike, how's that paint holding up?



  Fantastic John...not a single chip yet. The spool I painted on that narrowed 3/0 is holding up great too. Neither reel has been fished a lot, but both have been put in situations where a nice scratch or chip could happen. It's funny...the walk from the truck bed to the rod holders is where most cosmetic damage occurs! :-[
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: thorhammer on April 19, 2021, 04:32:37 PM
Mike, this one kicked back up since Alasken is asking about Mag 10's- turns out I gave him exact verbiage i gave Joe three years ago....

Back to you- after now five years, how is the paint on the rings?
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: mo65 on April 20, 2021, 12:59:40 PM
Quote from: thorhammer on April 19, 2021, 04:32:37 PM
Mike, this one kicked back up since Alasken is asking about Mag 10's- turns out I gave him exact verbiage i gave Joe three years ago....

Back to you- after now five years, how is the paint on the rings?

   That paint still looks like new John! 8)
Title: Re: Pennbassadeur 10 - baby steps
Post by: Decker on April 20, 2021, 01:23:59 PM
Black beauty rings.  Why not? 

I've been wanting to try Plasti Dip on crusty reel parts.   

Howdy, Mo!